Atlanta Falcons: Birds Fall to Saints
Too Little, Too Late
That's About Right (Bill Feig)
All the media-elite-talking-heads should be ecstatic, the Falcons finally lost and they lost to everyone’s favorite darlings, the hated Saints. But hey, it’s only the regular season and, as we all know, the regular season doesn’t matter, right? The late game magic finally ran out and, frankly, the Birds deserved to lose. They started fast, blew way to many opportunities, and allowed the Saints to dictate the entire game, save the last quarter. Even Falcons fans and Bird Cage members knew they’d lose at some point, but it just had to be to the Bountygate Saints. A look at the Falcons first loss……….
Blew a Fast Start
The Falcons couldn’t have asked for any better start to the game. They had some big plays, scored on their first drive, and literally intercepted the first play of the hated Saints. Even though there was a shadow, garbage penalty on Asante Samuel for “excessive celebration,” the Falcons bogged down and settled for a field goal. Sure, it was points, but the chance to go up 14-0 was definitely a wasted opportunity. After a hot start, the Falcons evidently went back into conservative mode where Drew Brees had enough time to bake a cake and do his taxes and the offense was hell bent on running Turner through a brick wall and taking losses on first down. It looked as though the game may get out of hand until the defense finally found a way to stop the hated Saints and the offense pulled themselves out of their hyper-conservative funk. Fact is, the Falcons had been living on borrowed time with their comebacks, and that magic finally ran out.
Let Matt Ryan Carry This Team
Defense Shredded (Bill Haber)
Ryan had a career high with 402 yards and 3 touchdowns and yet the Falcons offense always finds a way to bring it back to Turner. This is a new day and it’s a new Falcons team. Michael Turner has done a magnificent job for the Falcons since he’s been here and may be on a track for the Falcons Ring of Honor, but his time has passed. Not sure whether it’s Smith or Koetter, but the truth is that most times when Turner gets the ball instead of Ryan, it’s usually not as good. This doesn’t mean that the Falcons have to throw the ball 50 times every game, but at some point, Ryan should be allowed to do what Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and Brees do with their teams.
ZERO Pass Rush
For the longest time fans were able to blame Brian Van Gorder and by extension Mike Smith. Well, we have one of the best coordinators in the game and it’s true that Sean Weatherspoon was surely missed, but the Falcons don’t have much of anything in terms of rushing (or even disrupting) the quarterback. Drew Brees had enough time to cut the grass, do the dishes, and plan his Bountygate party in the pocket on Sunday. The Falcons mustered one sack, but rarely was pressured whatsoever. The defense stepped up some in the second half, but overall it was another pitiful display by the defense in pressuring the QB. Fans no longer know whether it’s the defensive tackles, the defensive ends, the linebackers, or the scheme to pressure the QB. They were sent on bltizes on Sunday, but most times they looked pedestrian and were easily picked up. John Abraham is the lone exception and how long does it take to get him some help. This did not look like the defense who confused and stymied Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers at all. Somethings got to give with the defense and lack of pressure.
Wasted Plays
400 Yards, 3 TDs = Loss (Bill Haber)
This is not a hatchet job on Michael Turner. The guy has done wonders for this franchise and likely will get a look at the Falcons Ring of Honor, but fans can easily see and call a wasted play coming on first down to Michael Turner. Given first and goal and a chance to go ahead in the game, the Falcons predictably go to Turner (as they always seem to do) to not only a stop, but a loss on the play. It was brought up in the offseason whether or not Turner fits in the offense and it becomes painfully clear every single week that giving the ball to Turner on first down is a wasted play. It’s not necessarily his fault, but seeing undrafted Chris Ivory run like a man possessed makes Turner seem like relic on the Falcons offense.
Franks Not the Answer
This is not meant to be slam against Dominique Franks, but the punt return game has become nothing more than catching the punt with a fair catch and surely is not threat to return it and get some yards. Perhaps Eric Weems was undervalued after all (this author admits). Dominique Franks had a blast on the scene in preseason with his dynamic punt return for a touchdown, but ever since he seems tentative at best and weak at worst at returning punts. The Birds put Harry Douglas back at punt returner with the game on the line and he offered little more.
Shadow Calls
The Falcons deserved to lose. Period. But of course this will come off as sour grapes and may have not made a difference in the grand scheme, but there were some pretty bad calls in New Orleans, a city known for it’s penultimate honesty (Bountygate’s the same as the Iraq War, right Brees?). There was the first part of the game and the “excessive celebration” that Fox never showed. Antone Smith evidently made a penalty on special teams, also not shown at all on Fox. There was the catch that Harry Douglas made as we all saw on tape, but they couldn’t overturn because the initial call was botched to Hades. Again, the Falcons deserved to lose, but the calls all seemed to go the Hated Saints way.
Chris Ivory vs. Michael Turner
One of Most Pitiful Plays on D EVER! (Bill Feig)
This is not meant to be a hatchet job on Michael Turner. It really isn’t. Turner has been a rock, a stud, and one of the main reasons that the Falcons have been one of the most consistent teams in the National Football League. The argument is always that Turner isn’t very good because the offensive line is so bad. That is an accepted truth with Falcons fans. We all know how poor the OL is. It’s been that way ever since Bill Fralic and Mike Kenn retired. However, one needs to take one look at Saints running back Chris Ivory and the way he runs the football and how Michael Turner runs. Ivory was an undrafted free agent and ran like a man possessed against the Falcons, running tough, delivering blows, refusing to go down, and generally carrying the ball with force. Flip over to Michael Turner and you see the exact opposite. Turner has never seemed to fit in this offense and evidently Coach Smith is afraid of upsetting Turner because after he seemed frustrated with his lack of carries (and subsequent production), Smith and Co. have been committed to giving him the ball regardless. Again, it’s not a hatchet job on Turner, but the fact is that Turner is the exact opposite of dynamic.
Make Changes or Expect Insanity
Even though the media elite are salivating over the Falcons loss and their emphasis that these are the “same old Falcons,” the coaching staff have control over that. Although they seem to overdramatize the Birds issues on the offensive line and running game, they do have a point. The Falcons had woeful losses last season and in the playoffs because they couldn’t muster a few yards. That point couldn’t be any more true, but it can be broken down into a few areas. Albert Einstein said that “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is the definition of insanity. The Falcons have changed only one thing in moving Peter Konz to right guard (only after Garrett Reynolds was injured) on the offensive line from last year’s OT debacle to the hated Saints and Meltdown in the Meadowlands. Why did fans expect anything different? After a supposedly “open competition” in the offseason, the offensive line looked exactly the same. Some were holding onto a new “OL coach and new offensive coordinator” in making all the difference. Please. Same goes for the running back situation.
At Least Mike Johnson Scored (Bill Feig)
Thomas Dimitroff hasn’t done a great job of drafting offensive linemen or invested hardly anything in the running back corps, but he did draft two potential-laden OL and it took Garrett Reynolds getting injured to get Peter Konz in the lineup. For all the talk of other running backs getting looks, that’s become a distant memory. It’s the Turner show and all others are lucky to get scraps. Jacquizz Rodgers has shown he can run the ball and we all know that Snelling can too. Antone Smith has speed, but is never seen. After seeing the Saints plug in a new offensive lineman at right tackle and bring up their 4th or 5th running back to look fantastic (Ivory), the Falcons seem stuck in their same old, same old. There’s evidently a refusal to make many changes on the Falcons offensive line or in the backfield, so Albert Einstein’s looking pretty correct.
What Happened to the Defense?
The same defense that held a slew of quarterbacks in check and forced Peyton Manning into three interceptions in the first half, looked just as pedestrian as any Falcons defense that’s lined up in recent years. The Falcons produced no pass rush whatsoever, only mustering one sack and never pressuring Brees at all. How many times will defenses allow elite QBs to pick them apart. Great teams and defenses have proven that pressuring the quarterback is the only way to knock them off their game. While it wasn’t quite reminiscent of the Debacle in the Dome seeing Aaron Rodgers pick apart the defense, it wasn’t far off. Not only that, but tackling was as bad as it ever was under Brian Van Gorder. That long TD run by Ivory has to go down as one of the worst defensive meltdown plays in Falcons franchise history and completely jumpstarted a struggling Saints team. After being so creative with his multiple and different looks, Nolan’s defense was a mirror image of it’s failed soft-zone predecessor. Why not try William Moore in some linebacker looks, for instance. The Falcons defense of old was not good, and especially not good against the Saints. The thought was that Mike Nolan was supposed to change all that.
Overrated? Sure………….
C'mon Smitty, It Was Time (Bill Feig)
A word of advice to Falcons faithful would be to tune out the MTV Sports, Entertainment Tonight Media Elite for the next few weeks. They finally got everything they wanted: the Falcons lost, they’re overrated, they should be 1-8 instead of 8-1, the Bountygate Saints are back on top, and it’s the “same old Falcons” as everyone always says. Too bad Mary Hart and Mario Lopez can’t give their opinions on the NFL, football, and those terrible, overrated Falcons.
Bird Cage Brothers Fallout Corps’ Turn
1) Simple Sack – how bad of a loss is this: just a loss or a reason to believe the Falcons are the worst team in the NFL?
2) At what point did you get a bad feeling on the game? How tough was blowing a good start?
3) Is this Michael Turner or Matt Ryan’s team? Are there still handcuffs on Ryan?
4) Please, please help fix this anemic pass rush.
5) Why has the Falcons pass rush remained so terribly poor?
6) How about those Turner playcalls right up the gut?
7) Anyone else at punt returner?
8.) Thoughts on the Mercedez-SuperDome officiating?
9) Please explain the Curious Case of Michael Turner.
10) Has Albert Einstein pegged one Coach Mike Smith?
11) What happened to Mike Nolan and his defense? Yikes
12) Promise yourself a prize if you can ignore the MTV Sports / Entertainment Tonight media-elite-talking-heads-experts for a few weeks………..or maybe ever.
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1,221 comments Add your comment
Wings
November 12th, 2012
11:28 am
D3 thanks; and the chances of A Smith getting in the game on offense is probably nil now with the penalty he made yesterday. I think HC holds grudges.
Wings
November 12th, 2012
11:36 am
If HC Mike Smith were a physician, all of his patients would die because he would refuse to see/believe symptoms. He is probably a perfectionist which makes dealing with him very difficult for the other coaches because he is never wrong. I’m just guessing.
Chop Buster
November 12th, 2012
11:56 am
I said a few weeks ago that I didn’t expect this team to be where they are because it has too many holes and inconsistent play on defense–and the OL. If you think about the last three or four times we’ve played the Aints, they did nothing any different than the way they played us in the past. They’ve submarined through our OL and clogged up the middle whenever Turner got the ball. They now know if you stop Turner’s feet, you have him stopped.
We all have mentioned various issues that have been recurring through Smitty and TD’s time here. The defense has always been the cause of us losing leads, stopping our opponents, etc., etc. What’s most disheartening is they still have not found a way to stop Brees when this team has been the largest obstacle to our division’s success. That’s what has me so upset with this loss…the team looked like all the past Falcon teams that couldn’t run the ball on the Aints or stop Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham. That’s Drew’s bread and butter and we still failed to take them out of the equation. Now I believe Nolan is capable of taking away two players, but that defense yesterday didn’t look anything like Nolan until the second half. Someone has to make some real changes for this team to really succeed. The DL has issues and the secondary has always had issues. The offense needs to turned loose on our opponents and allow them to score as much as possible. If they have to go to the air for 500 yards then so be it. Snelling and Rodgers can mix it up with an occasional run until this team gets things fixed in the off season. But like D3 said, we cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.
SG
November 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
First off D3, hat tip for the sense of humor you brought to the post – and also for the respectful kudos to Turner for what he’s delivered in the past. But while much of the media may be sitting back and saying “told ya so”, I don’t think we – the fans – were caught too off guard by what happened yesterday. The game brought to light several concerns previously pointed out in the Cage.
My take:
• Watching the Saints gain 150 yds.rushing against the Eagles last week raised some concern because along w/ Brees’s arm that makes for a balanced attack – and for the most part we haven’t had balance.
• We missed Spoon’s spark yesterday but what was really bothersome was the D looked like Nolan had left the building for some coffee and beignets. They looked lost much of the time.
• I agree Turner’s best days are behind him but I think our OL still looks less than stout for any ground game. 2 times inside the 5 in the last 2 minutes against the supposedly worst D?….nuff said.
• Rogers has a role – and he can be shifty like you point out about Ingram and Ivory – but I can’t see him as a compliment, not a feature back. As for Antone Smith, I thought if he had a shot, by now we would’ve seen him.
• As for Ryan, there aren’t enough superlatives to go around for his ability, smarts and tenacity when given control.
• Congrats to Tony G – you may want to stick around just one more year while everything continues to gel.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
12:07 pm
MB — As you said, we’ll just have to respectfully disagree. As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Outside of putting Konz in (when Reynolds got hurt BTW), what have they tried different on the OL in 2+ years?
But really, if we used the Einstein thing, if you do the same thing expect the same results thing, we should have won, because we are 8-0. We did the same thing, should expect to win.
If you want to bring up Playoffs, well, this was not a playoff game. If we do the same thing in our next playoff game, we did our last…then I am with ya.
Again, I was like you, I thought we were about to fall behind 35-17 and it was gonna be ugly, so our D did bow up, I was happy to see that. I agree with a previous poster, that penalty and Smitty blow up on he sideline seemed to tighten us up. If I blame Smitty for anything, it was how me handled that situation so early in the game. As somebody said, Smitty expects his men to be men, and I like the hell out of that, but I bet he wished he kept a little more composure. It was like the players said, woa, this dude is wound.
I get the feeling no matter what we did, or how we did it, give it to turner, not give it to turner, no matter WHAT we did,or who was on the line, that game was destined to go down the the last series like 85% of NFL games today.
I was right, and we had them beat, but Roddy lost the ball, and we lost a time out on a screw job challenge call that was huge.
My point, every play made or not made seems to change destiny of the game, but in the end, they always come down to inches, or a play, or something seeming random, but it is all be design by NFL rules. Call it pinball football, And Coaches plan for it, and that is where Smitty is the master, he always seems to have a plan for pulling those games out, or quashing other teams ability to do so. It is a time out/clock/field position/communication/ management skill.
If anything, I critique Smitty by being too much a perfectionist and his teams might tighten up under duress. But the fact that we did not melt down when given the chance gives me hope.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
That is IT. Pinball Football. That is what the NFL is. Just about every game is a 16 round knockdown heavy weight fight. In the end, there are a million coulda beens, should beens, but it always seems to come down to the scorecards, and a 114-115 split decision.
It is not random, it is by design, and it it makes for awesome football.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:15 pm
“BL why are you trying to defend them for such a bad effort. It doesn’t matter who did or didn’t, it was bad!! You loose your credibility. What they did against other teams in previous weeks is history.”
I never said the effort wasn’t bad. They adjusted in the second half. though. You lose credibility if you cannot see that they came back from a ten point hole and had a chance to win the game due to those adjustments.
Oh, so we can be timid on the Falcon’s past playoff gaffs and get on the coaches for past mistakes, but when it’s a positive note… GOD forbid we look at the past performances. That’s double-standard talking, my friend.
The point is… this team competed, and had chances to win the game. But, they didn’t execute and lost. Does that mean this team are the pretenders from years past? Absolutely not. This just means they have things to fix, and we are only 9 games into the season. I think the Falcons are in a very good position.
Do they have areas of concern? Yes. Every team does.
Red Zone efficiency, Turner is useless in this offense and throws off the groove, the defense have made fundamental mistakes throughout the game, the offensive line cannot get push off the ball for the run game… yeah, I know.
Yet, these issues can be adjusted and fixed. They have a whole half of a season to get it together. And, I know it’s hard to see, but this team has WAY more positives than negatives. Especially with our stud QB, Matty Ice.
Keep it positive folks. They are 8-1 and have made great progress this year, and with this coaching staff, they will continue to progress.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
I hate to say this, and probably gonna get blasted for it, but I see more negativity on this blog so far then the media itself.
I mean, to refuse to look at ANY positives, just baffles me. Matty Ice threw for 400+ yards… defense held well the second half… and they fought back from a ten point hole to almost win the game. The calls and plays just didn’t go the Falcons way and they lost.
It’s okay to be critical, but the sky isn’t falling either.
Gotta be objective folks. Put emotions aside and look at the whole picture….
And I got to tell you, that picture looks pretty freaking sweet to me.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:32 pm
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000093674/article/matt-ryan-atlanta-falcons-must-decide-what-loss-will-mean
Decent article. Somewhat negative, but also points out that how the Falcons respond from this loss will dictate their future.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:37 pm
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000093588/Falcons-running-game-lets-them-down
SeminoleWarrior
November 12th, 2012
12:40 pm
BL, you know you are now and forever will be my brother. And we respectfully agree to disagree at times. And this is one of those times.
The Falcons are an immensely talented team. They clearly are light years ahead offensively than they are defensively. That is not in question I think we can agree.
You cite the victories over the Broncos, Eagles, and Cowboys. Two of those three teams are the epitome of disfunction. Just like the Falcons defense, there is no game to game consistency with either the Eagles or the Cowboys. Both are immensely talented teams that are drenched in the stinch of subpar performance overall.
As far as Denver goes, we caught them earlier. We caught Peyton in a rare display of ineffective play. But in the second half, when he got hot, he torched the very same defense. As others have said, who in the hell is the Oakland Raiders, a disfunctional youth league team that pretends to be an NFL franchise. But they came in and pushed, yes pushed the Falcons to the limit in our own house.
During the Smith regime, there is a constant theme of subpar performance when it comes to this defensive unit. There is a common thread of suspect play calling at big moments for the Falcons. Let me be clear. Matt Ryan and the Falcon offense has made Mike Smith look great; it is not, repeat not, the other way around.
As far as not looking at the positives, I have cited the positives that exist on offense continuously. If walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, to quote Stephan A., it ain’t a darn mongoose. This is a defensive unit that is missing heart, is missing a pulse, and can not, CAN NOT be relied.
What the Saints do to us is not rocket science. They use the SAME DAMNED formula each time they play us. Heavy reliance on the TE, enough rushing to keep the defense honest, and at least one WR hitting the play on the outside deep. And we have not figured that out yet!! Come on, man.
Whole picture….This team is only going to go as far as this offensive unit can take us. it has the upside to be so much better on the defensive side. All I ask for is consistency. And it is not there.
Sure, we get the turnover victories but we give up chunks at the wrong time as well. Pressure is not even in the equation.
Been a fan for over 40 years now. Have earned the right to be emotional. I have too much invested in this team. All I ask for is a little more consistency and the capacity to adapt to the changing dynamic of the game.
That is emotion, true that my friend. And I wear the badge with honor. And have nothing but respect for my brother and his opinion.
SeminoleWarrior
November 12th, 2012
12:42 pm
The sky is not falling, I agree with you. But this defensive unit can not continue to underachieve and underperform if we are to reach the ultimate goal. And more times than naught, underachieve is what it has done.
LRD
November 12th, 2012
12:45 pm
SW; Nice to have you back man!!!
Tackling… That is one of my biggest gripes about the game.. I dont have the exact amount, but it appeared to me, that yards after contact was a bit beyond the norm.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:48 pm
“The sky is not falling, I agree with you. But this defensive unit can not continue to underachieve and underperform if we are to reach the ultimate goal. And more times than naught, underachieve is what it has done.”
You mean against the Giants, where they held them to 7 points in the first half and was the only reason why ATL scored in the playoffs? Again, we always find negatives, but never look at the positives. The defense showed up against the Giants last season in the playoffs, the offense didn’t. I doubt they will have the problem this year.
This team is nowhere near 2010(offensively and defensively), and if you cannot see this… I do not know what to tell you.
Davidl3940
November 12th, 2012
12:48 pm
Michael Turner time has passed. No speed or power left.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
12:51 pm
The defense held the Saints in the second half to only 10 points, yet all we can harp on was the first half. No credit to adjusting and coming back to almost win the game. If the offense executed and scored in the redzone, we would be praising the defense for holding strong and giving this team a chance to win. But, I guess that’s just how it is, right?
That’s life. Always focus on the negatives and never the positives.
Tackling was atrocious THE FIRST HALF, yet the second half defense was extremely better. That’s all I am saying.
LRD
November 12th, 2012
12:54 pm
Oh, and with Julio out.. did we see any screen passes? I mean, is he the only one capable of catching and running that type of play?
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
12:54 pm
BL – you are one optimistic cuss – but, I agree – there is a distinct disconnect on trying for force feed Mike Turner up the middle. Why? WHY? Here is another point: Folks remember Brian Finneran? He was our 3rd down guy, and a good guy in the red zone – we drafted Meier to replace him – at least to me – but, we NEVER developed Meier – and, despite our superior receiving options – have been reduced to throwing to a tackle TE – that is the height of pathetic.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:01 pm
Paddy O
I feel that if this game didn’t wake up Mike Smith on how ineffective Tuner is in this offense, then nothing will. Rodgers needs to be the starting running back, period. Run from the shotgun, allow some zone blocking… turn this into a Peyton Manning offense.
Run the ball outside of the tackles with Jaquizz…. Tuner is done. I can no longer defend him or the offensive line with running the football.
The offense is still damn scary, though. I mean… very fun to watch. Matt Ryan is doing extremely well.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
I see more negativity on this blog so far then the media itself.
BINGO BL. I saw posts on here saying they can’t see us winning a playoff game. It is like, wow. Meier? LOL, He never could stay healthy, is Meyer on another NFL roster?
Fact is, you got to have a back that can fall forward for a yard. We don’t have one. The good thing is we have 7 games to play with to figure something out.
Up until this season, Turner has been statistically productive, but not the pile pusher we need. But this year, he is not even being productive, I really think the FB was we drafted might have been helpful, but regardless, there are 30 teams in the NFL who would love our problems, but it biggest self proclaimed fans are wanting to hit the panic button.
SeminoleWarrior
November 12th, 2012
1:03 pm
2010….with an offense that was a machine. 28 TDs and 3700 yards from MR2, a thousand yards season from RW84, a Pro Bowl year from TG88, and a 13-3 record.
A defense in 201, that ranked 5th against the run (25th right now) and has show NO upgrade in the passing arena despite the so called upgrades on that side of the ball.
I’m seeing some positives and I acknowledge them. But the SAME inconsistencies are still in play defensively TWO years later. It is an issue, my brother.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:03 pm
Somebody posted comments from DeCoud – that boy needs to shut his pie hole. His missed tackle on the TD run looked like a 6th grader NOT wanting to tackle – how do you have safeties who don’t like to hit? I still say Dunta would make a decent safety. DeCoud now has 3 pretty iffy games; and, as much as i like Willie Mo – no bleeping way should be in single coverage with anybody.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
So why give to Turner? Can you guy not equate filled gaps on every play with Matty Ryan career yardage day? You don’t think one might have a little impact on the other?
Falcons Rule
November 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
Hellz yeah I thought we played well. We jst got outplayed this time, but that doesn’t mean our season is over. Our guys just need to stop talking smack they can’t back up, and learn to play like pros.
If we can stop talking smack and stay out of the spotlight, the refs seem to let a bunch of holds and push-offs slide like they did lst night. If they don’t get called, good on us and screw the other team. But not being able to win despite that sucks. Especially with all the smack talk making us look like idiots afterwards.
Time to refocus and fly under the radar through the rest of the season. Lots of easy games ahead. Maybe we’ll finally get our shot; won’t have an easier chance than this year’s schedule, for sure! Just focus on football!
SeminoleWarrior
November 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
“I feel that if this game didn’t wake up Mike Smith on how ineffective Tuner is in this offense, then nothing will. Rodgers needs to be the starting running back, period. Run from the shotgun, allow some zone blocking… turn this into a Peyton Manning offense.
Run the ball outside of the tackles with Jaquizz…. Tuner is done. I can no longer defend him or the offensive line with running the football.
The offense is still damn scary, though. I mean… very fun to watch. Matt Ryan is doing extremely well.”
AMEN, my brother. Totally agree with you. But please help me understand why this defensive minded head coach can not let his premium DC transform this defense to what it could be with a few moves and re-alignments. Most importantly, explain to me why this defensive minded head coach has not put his stamp on this defense given it was his so called pedigree in Jax?
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
NO upgrade in the passing arena despite the so called upgrades on that side of the ball.
We missed on Ray whatever. It happens, TD tried to address it.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:09 pm
BL: son, you just can’t help yourself – you want to control the conversation. as stupid as that is, it is the same failing that smitty has. most of the gripes here are on the D and Turner – by a broad spectrum of fans. I think most folks are not surprised, but bloody disappointed. I stated previously, we played fairly well. We just lost TO LOUSY PLAYCALLING AT CRUNCH TIME. Turner and Johnson. I think Nolan – not having played NO all that much – took some suggestions from Smith on how to arrange his D – it was an EPIC failure the first half; the 2nd half is how Nolan would have done it himself. But yes, our defensive pressure was AWFUL.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:12 pm
BL – it looks sweet to you precisely because you are a pollyanna panderer. YOu and MB keep talking about this loss helping the team get better – the tripe flew after the GB shellacking. AT this point, this team should have NO growth to experience – just excellence delivered. As indicated, we shall see how we battle with the remaining 4 divisional games. I hope we go 3-1; would prefer 4-0.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:12 pm
Time to refocus and fly under the radar through the rest of the season.
Exactly, that undefeated talk becomes such a distraction. Let the pundits say I told ya so, move onto the next story, and allow Smitty to work on our issues. It is very obvious that we need to be able to push the pile, or only real shortcoming. You can scheme around this problem until the cows come home, but you will never overcome it. You just have to knock the other guy back every once in a while.
SeminoleWarrior
November 12th, 2012
1:13 pm
Despite his shortcomings at critical times, the RB that was Michael Turner is still averaging 4.0 per carry and could still have a shot at a thousand yard season. Yes,his time is nearing an end but he could still be a factor as the sun sets on his ATL run.
D3
November 12th, 2012
1:13 pm
BL — Good point regarding the negativity. I’m as guilty of that as anyone. I’ve tried to start to get better about that. I do like the way we fought back and clawed our way back into the game. This is a different Falcons team and we’re still 8-1, atop the NFC. You’re going to lose games in the NFL, it’s just the way it is. I thought this was as a good of “loss” as you can have. Given that situation last year, I totally expected us to get blown out. The RB and OL is the most frustrating thing to me. I’m OK with the defense because we simply ARE better than year’s past, just have to find a way to get to the QB.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:13 pm
“AMEN, my brother. Totally agree with you. But please help me understand why this defensive minded head coach can not let his premium DC transform this defense to what it could be with a few moves and re-alignments. Most importantly, explain to me why this defensive minded head coach has not put his stamp on this defense given it was his so called pedigree in Jax?”
Again, the Falcons defense did a great job in the playoffs last season, the offense didn’t. Remember the score? I am not worried about the defensive side of the ball.
The Saints will score on ANY defense in the league. The defense did their job in the second half and the offense did not take advantage of it. There is no excuse for a 4 and out in the redzone. All you can hope for a defense to do against QBs like Manning, Brees, and Brady is to get you stops…. and our defense did just that in the second half.
Also, I could care less about the ranked-yardage stats. It’s all about points allowed, and the Falcon’s defense is still top ten in that category.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:16 pm
BL: My only worry on Quizz is him getting worn down – which is why I push Snelling and Quizz as the backs – both can be flared out as receivers. I’d use Turner as FB – the man can block.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:16 pm
AT this point, this team should have NO growth to experience – just excellence delivered
No Growth? LOL. Ryan is looking like the MVP, he threw for a career day, don’t you somewhat coorelate that filled running lanes?
We are one misjudged pass from being 9-0, but no, we just need to start tossing unproven rookies in to protect our franchise QBs blind side. That’ll help.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
Remember how many point the Saints scored on the 49ers in the playoffs last year?
They have a REALLY good offense… they are going to score.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:18 pm
MB- read the synopsis of Turner runs provided by Wings. That should get turner benched.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
November 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
Things were so different when we were 4-0~5-0. We were so far out front of the rest of our divisional foes, after each win, we would look back and yell, IS ANYONE THERE….knowone would answer, just our own echo. Last week, we let out another yelp… lo and behold, someone thought they heard something in the distance, knowone really paid attention, but noticed our echo was very faint.
After the lost to the Saints, we yelled out once more, IS ANYONE THERE…the Tampa Bay Bucs answered, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT…and we’re bringing company (the Saints).
Don’t look now…We’re not alone…
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:20 pm
Quizz is a gimmick, he is great when he gets touches the D does not expect and does the ankle breakers, but his propensity to stop running when pursued from behind, or rationalization to run 10 yards in reverse to get gain 1 net would get REAL old REAL fast once defenses started to game plan for him to be a feature back.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:20 pm
matty- MR2 is thriving in a pass oriented offense – which JJ is a key contributor too. the arguments by the pollyanna panderers here is that MENTALLY this loss will help them down the road – that is somewhere between fundamental BS and hubris. but, if you want to ostrich – at least BL is in full agreement on the Turner negative impact on the offenses rhythm.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:22 pm
“BL: My only worry on Quizz is him getting worn down – which is why I push Snelling and Quizz as the backs – both can be flared out as receivers. I’d use Turner as FB – the man can block.”
That’s actually not a bad idea, and at least Turner will see more of the field… but it still doesn’t solve the lack of push from the offensive line. We need to get rid of the power run game scheme and adopt a more shotgun heavy/zone-blocking element. Need more sweep, tosses, ect. to Snelling and Quizz.
It also cannot hurt to use more bootleg plays in the redzone… let Matty Ice use his athleticism to get people open/create diversions. I mean, he is no Mike Vick, but he isn’t molasses either.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:22 pm
matty – ah, more pure BS. I’m done. go found a falcons blog for pollyanna panderers.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:23 pm
Somebody, that is very good. My biggest concern was us to keep winning and seal the division by game 12 and losing intensity and getting kicked in the teeth by a 9-7 team used to playing for its life every week. Competition is good.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
So Ryan thriving is not due to team growth? Is this blog reserved chicken dodgers?
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
BL- i agree – our offensive line gets no push; so, either use delayed draws or run off tackle; or simply throw screens. this was a tough loss against a blatantly inferior team. yeah, some was execution – but the last goal line was plain lousy play calling – that is on either Welcome Back or Smitty. At some point, Smitty needs to realize that wasting plays on offense bites you against GOOD teams. NO is now back on its feet. TB is GOOD. and Carolina – if Cam cleans up his turn overs – is also good. Our divisional games will be a good litmus test.
Paddy O
November 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
BL- that is something we have not done much this year.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:27 pm
D3
That’s why I never gave up on the Falcons during the game. Even when they were down by more than ten points. This team is different. I agree they have things they need to work on, especially the running element. This loss sucks, no doubt…. but there is no way that the old Falcons would have fought back like these guys I saw yesterday. I am still extremely happy with the Falcons so far, and look forward to how Mike Smith adjusts to our lack of run game.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
matty- MR2 is thriving in a pass oriented offense
So Ryan is thriving due to a different offense since 2010. JJ is coming onto his own. And no growth?
Yesterday we have a career day, but filled running lanes has nothing to do with it? Man, sometimes you guys just don’t want to be rational.
Matty Bicep
November 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
NO is now back on its feet. TB is GOOD. and Carolina – if Cam cleans up his turn overs – is also good. Our divisional games will be a good litmus test.
Totally agree, competition is good. I want to play the best, I want to get kicked in the teeth and get ready for the playoffs. Hell, I don’t care of lose a couple more games and go into the playoffs used to playing for our lives. Not having any adversity is bad.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
“NO is now back on its feet. TB is GOOD. and Carolina – if Cam cleans up his turn overs – is also good. Our divisional games will be a good litmus test.”
I know people are going to disagree but I am not sold on TB, just like I am not sold on the Saint on the defensive side of the ball. TB’s defense is just as bad… I mean the are feasting on crap teams, and what makes it worse… their offense is not as good. I am more worried about Carolina, to be honest. I am hoping for 3-1.
Big Lou
November 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
MB
I am sorry, man. But, I cannot defend Turner. In 2010, Turner was almost a gimme when we were a couple yards from the endzone… not anymore. We need to adapt to our players’ strengths. And, this offensive line is more suited for zone blocking/shotgun runs… then power I formations. Turner would not fit into that scheme, because he is a downhill back… and we are just not getting any gaps to form with the current offensive line. This is where coaching adjustments come in.