Atlanta Falcons: Birds Grind Out Tough Win vs. Bucs
Falcons Earn Hard Fought Win Over Rivals
Falcons Earn Tough Win (Brian Blanco)
The naysayers will keep finding ways to doubt the Falcons and their close wins. As Terry Bradshaw said today, “the Falcons are winning, but they just aren’t dominating.” Strahan chimes in that if they play too many close games, they may eventually lose one, maybe in January.” The fact is that the Falcons beat a very good division opponent who’s been one of the hottest teams in the NFL on the road, while still not even coming close to playing their best football. Sure, it wasn’t pretty at times and downright ugly others, but overall the Falcons won another tough game on the road, improved to 10-1 (which is still tied for the best record in the NFL), and essentially own a 4 game division lead with 5 games to go. A short week lies ahead in yet another enormous game, this time to the rival Saints, who handed the Falcons their only loss. A look at the Falcons big win over the Bucs………..
Huge Win Over a Streaking Rival on the Road
Some still say the Falcons aren’t winning big enough or dominating, but the fact remains that they are winning and have done so 10 times out of 11. There are those that continue to believe the Falcons are a House of Cards and that’s somehow projecting to another playoff failure. However, you can’t have it both ways and sing the praises of a team that’s one of the hottest in the NFL and when a win is achieved, it somehow wasn’t pretty enough. This wasn’t the Cardinals, Panthers, or Raiders, it was a division opponent who’s been playing really good football lately. Of course it wasn’t always pretty, but the Falcons overcame two turnovers and plenty of missed opportunities to get it done yet again. This time it was against a tough team on the road.
Samuel Gives a Heroic Effort
Julio's Career Day (Brian Blanco)
Most believed that the trade for Asante Samuel would lead to a much needed infusion of attitude and swagger the Falcons have sorely missed. Well, that surely has had a good impact, but the former All-Pro cornerback turned in an effort worthy of heroic proportions. With the Falcons either clinging to a tiny lead or having to come back to win the game on the road, Samuel willed himself in the game while visibly being injured. Several times it was possible to think that he may have separated his shoulder and be out for the year. He gutted it out through pain and suffering knowing how important the game was and epitomized heart and effort. He dropped a few potential interceptions, but seeing the amount of pain he was in, it became completely understandable. If anyone wondered about Samuel’s ability to back up his boisterous personality on the field, all those questions were answered with authority and then some with his gutty performance.
Super and Stout Run Defense
The belief among many was that rookie running back phenom Doug Martin would run laps over and around the Falcons porous run defense. It’s been a struggle pretty much all year and Martin has been tearing up the league the last few weeks. The Falcons defense bowed their necks and found a way to corral and stop the streaking running back. Martin did score two touchdowns, but the Birds held the former Boise State RB at 50 yards on 21 carries. Only the Washington Redskins held Martin to fewer yards (33) and that was only on 8 carries. Twice the defense kept the Falcons in the game after two costly turnovers and played a huge role overall in the game. They may not be a dominant defense just yet, but they are getting it done when they need to, especially regarding points and keeping hot players in check.
What Will it Take?
Time to Give Quizz the Rock (Reinhold Matay)
No point in beating a dead horse, but it’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room. What will it take for Coach Smith and OC Koetter to give Jacquizz Rodgers the start and the vast majority of carries over Michael Turner. Smith and Koetter are “gradually” giving Rodgers more looks and he’s not disappointing. He had 49 yards on 10 carries and chipped in another 2 catches for 30 yards. And that’s not even including the huge return that Rodgers had to set up the game winning drive. This is not to say that Turner doesn’t have a place on the team, but as Cage Member Paddy O suggested, perhaps the Falcons should look to use Turner in more goal-line situations the way the Steelers did with Jerome Bettis towards the end of his career.
Maybe it’s unfair to just compare the numbers, but Turner averaged a meager 1.3 yards, gaining 17 yards on 13 carries, and that’s including a long run of 9 yards. Again, it might not be his fault as much as poor run play-calling, but it’s time to hand over the keys to Jacquizz Rodgers as the Falcons primary back. It doesn’t mean that Turner shouldn’t see the field anymore, but the evidence has also become insurmountable. Remember that it was Coach Smith himself who proclaimed that Rodgers was not exclusively a 3rd down back long ago in preseason.
Better Pass Rush
The Falcons only came away with 2 total sacks (one by Biermann and the other by D.Robinson), but they pressured Josh Freeman very well on Sunday. They didn’t seem to get to him too much early on, but the they surely did as the game wore on. Many times it was seen that Freeman was getting hit as he released the ball and having to pick himself up after the play. In fact, at least one of the would-be picks came after Freeman was getting hit while throwing the ball. John Abraham was getting his usual pressure and Jonathan Babineaux seemed to almost exclusively play defensive end much of the time. Young guns Cliff Matthews and Travian Robertson were both seen getting decent pressure as well, a welcome sign. It was also good to see Corey Peters come back in the game after leaving with an injury. Some of the blitzes seem to get picked up a little too easily, but that’s just going to happen sometimes. The blitz and sack by Dunta Robinson was a thing of beauty.
Defense Makes Some Big Stands
Pass Rush Better (Reinhold Matay)
As mentioned earlier, the Falcons defense still won’t be confused with being dominant. However, they are making some big stands lately to keep the the team in the game, many times after offensive mistakes. The Cardinals game saw the defense save an offense in major meltdown mode and they made some enormous stops against the Bucs that could have easily led to a much more difficult game. And remember that this is only Mike Nolan’s first year at the helm and while there’s surely a ways to go, this defensive is showing excellent progress. They held the Bucs to 3 points after Matt Ryan threw an interception. When Ryan was pummeled by a Bucs defender and fumbled the ball away, the defense again held them to a field goal. They also held the Bucs to a 56 yard field goal attempt, which they missed. If the Bucs cash in a touchdown many of those times, this may be reporting a second loss.
Props to DRob
Dunta Robinson has been one of the fans and critics favorite lightning rods since he signed the eye-popping contract as a free agent cornerback back in 2010. Many called him a free agent bust and a major overreach in a weak free agency class to simply fill a gap. While Robinson hasn’t been an All-Pro cornerback, he has looked much better this year and had a very tough and gritty game against the Bucs. He’s one of the few defensive players that will deliver a huge hit that many of the best defenses possess. Robinson had a bone-crunching hit on Doug Martin, popped up, and seemingly might be done for the day. He went and got check out and returned soon afterwards and help lead the defense to a big win.
Struggling Safeties
What has happened to the Falcons safeties that looked like world-beaters the first few weeks? It was a good talking point throughout the off-season on which player or what position would benefit the most from Mike Nolan’s new scheme. While the safety position wasn’t the highest on many fans lists, some thought that it could see a major improvement. Some thought William Moore might elevate his game to a Pro Bowl level and Thomas DeCoud could get back some of the early magic he flashed in 2009. Early on, it looked as though those premonitions may come true. DeCoud and Moore were all over the field, making interceptions, knocking down passes, and delivering big hits.
Smith Looks Serious (Brian Blanco)
Recently, however, they have both looked less than stellar. Moore hasn’t necessarily done poorly, but he’s not having the same impact he was in the beginning. DeCoud, on the other hand, has looked pedestrian at times. He’s often seen getting caught out of position, using shoulder bumps on players instead of giving big hits, and sometimes looking downright awful in coverage. It’s surely not all their fault as many other positions have had their own issues and that’s likely having a negative impact on them. Some of it may have to do with the front 7 having problems against the run and thus inching closer for run support. Whatever the reason, it would be very nice to see the safety tandem get back to their early season form.
Walking Wounded at Cornerback
Thankfully the Falcons have found Robert McClain to step up and in an otherwise huge gap left by a slew of injuries to the Falcons cornerbacks. Brent Grimes was lost for the year in game 1 vs. the Chiefs and Asante Samuel has been banged up the last few weeks. Dunta Robinson left for a spell on Sunday, but returned later. There’s a sense of concern on the depth chart after McClain as Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks are next on the list and are surely not the model of consistency. While McClain has been the best surprise of the season, this is a position that will have to have some infusion of talent, whether through the draft or in free agency. They don’t necessarily need starting quality, but definitely need some better depth.
Blown Opportunities
The Falcons had plenty of chances to put some distance between themselves and the Bucs on Sunday. The Birds of course got the ball first as they always do and had a nice opening drive bog down yet again for a field goal. Of course there was the botching of the red zone opportunity to end the 1st half when Julio Jones caught a pass on the 4 yard line, where Coach Smith seemed more concerned with eating up the clock than scoring a touchdown. Matt Bryant misses a chip-shot field goal to get the lead at halftime. After the break, the defense holds the Bucs to a field goal and the Falcons promptly score a touchdown with an 80 yard strike to Jones. The defense gets a three and out to give the offense the ball back and big chance to gain some separation. What does the offense do? Only go three and out themselves with a rather pitiful play selection. Even though you can’t fault the defense very much, they did have the Bucs backed up to their goal-line at 1st and 21, only to let them drive all the way down for a touchdown. At the end Matt Bryant essentially misses a game-ending field goal. It’s a little nitpicking because they ultimately won the game, but the Falcons have to learn to stop squandering so many opportunities to gain some separation when they have the chance.
Will this Falcons Team Ever Fully Click?
Will they Ever Fully Click? (Brian Blanco)
Fans keep talking about how awesome this team will be if everything clicks for one game and how they could be unstoppable. If the offense hits on all cylinders, the defense continues it’s excellent progression, special teams is on point, and coaching doesn’t bog down in too much conservatism, it could be a beautiful sight. The Falcons have obviously done some good and great things throughout the season, but rarely have all the phases been hitting at once. It seems each week that one of the phases takes their time off (defense earlier in the season, offense more recently). The Birds know better than anyone how important it is to be hitting the right gear at the right time and there’s still plenty of time, but the window is drawing more narrow as the season hits the final push to the playoffs. If this team can all click in at once, the ultimate goal could truly be in sight.
Bird Cage Stalwarts Turn
1) Simple Bomb – what’s your thoughts on the Falcons road win vs. the Bucs: huge win on the road vs. a streaking team or still making it too hard on themselves?
2) How about Asante Samuel’s gutsy performance. Could it be a rallying point of sorts?
3) Was the stout run defense a blip or sign of good things to come?
4) Will Smith and Koetter ever turn over the keys to Jacquizz Rodgers as the feature back?
5) Is the running back position the main thing holding this offense back from being great?
6) Was the pass rush better overall or more having to do with Josh Freeman’s errors?
7) What’s your thoughts on the defense overall this season, particularly of late?
8.) Is the Falcons defense having to keep the team in the game too much?
9) Has Dunta Robinson improved enough for your liking?
10) What’s going on with the Falcons safeties lately?
11) Time to panic on CB depth just yet?
12) Can the Falcons stop blowing opportunities to get separation on their opponents?
13) Will the Birds ever click into gear all at the same time?
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1,178 comments Add your comment
LRD
November 27th, 2012
8:40 pm
Truth.. very funny. I am sure Jerry is out running right now.. doing backflips.
JB Falcon
November 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
I’ll go out on a limb here. We don’t need Babin. We’ve been building this team too long to spend $2 mil for maybe a sack or two. We’ll get our own sacks, thank you!
Matty Bicep
November 27th, 2012
9:15 pm
It is interesting the Dled does not quote anyone saying the Falcons are not interested, he just says they are’nt, it does not look like he actually spoke with anyone. Probably go it off PR twitter feed.
I am OK standing pat too, but he is tempting, he might just be that bookend for abe we dreamed about. IDK, I would like to see the Falcons sign him, get him in the system, see what he can do, give him a few weeks to get intergrated, then let Nolan do his thing with his new toy on the playoffs.
For a 1.6 mil, WTH…Plus if he produces, he is fairly cheap next year if we want to keep him around.
JB Falcon
November 27th, 2012
9:46 pm
Mattie Bicep,( I think I am doing you a favor, first of all, by calling you by your chosen handle) I am breaking my own rule that “you never argue with an idiot”, okay? I’m sure (know) you have been called worse. I am not argueing with you.
I will give you credit for ONE thing, you are one persistent SOB. It seems to me that you feel your contibution to the blog has to be a conflicting attitude, or opinion, on everything that is posted. You should have figured out by now that the blog does not welcome folks like you appear to be.
In my opinion, it wouldn’t be too hard for you to quit trying to offer “point, counter-point” crap. We’re not on here for that. We share opinions and RESPECT other folk’s opinions. You are obviously a very informed Falcon fan and your posts would be more welcome if you wasn’t so arguementive.
I am posting this as my last offer to extend the olive branch to you. For me, you are still welcome but you’re going to have to adjust your attitude. We are all fans and, for the most part, are an optimistic bunch. We critisize and b!tch and we exchange opinions. We are “respectfull” to one another and, in my opinion, you should learn to be the same or give the Hell up. No one on this blog will respect what you have to offer until you learn to respect others.
DHunt
November 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
Chop Buster @8:15, I was sitting there wondering “how in the heck does Ryan not see that they had that play read from start to finish”? But sometimes you gotta try it, and when that’s the call and you don’t have any other outlets, sometimes you gotta throw it in there and hope that the worst that happens is no gain on the play. QB’s who can read defenses pre-snap, like Ryan, sometimes are the victims of their own read, if the defense does something unexpected, like not rush those two edge guys you just knew were coming on a blitz. Being able to read and react after the snap is a much more essential skill set, and one that I think is a major factor in separating the elite from the very good. Ryan isn’t there yet, and this isn’t a knock on him, because at no point in time during his first four years did anyone ask him to even consider developing that skill set. He usually only had the first or second read to deal with. Peyton, on the other hand, knows where everyone is on every play and if he sees the defense going one way, he knows how to react another way. And his plays are designed to give him those outlets to react; AND his entire assemblage of offensive targets is being constantly trained on how to react the way he expects them to react to certain defensive looks. It’s how he gets lesser talent to perform at higher levels.
The Falcons have to have their higher level talent perform at that high level consistently, because that other scenario isn’t one that just happens overnight.
DHunt
November 27th, 2012
9:56 pm
And I sincerely doubt that 31 other teams want to see the Falcons defense get better by letting Babin fall to Atlanta. Somebody will snatch him up before that happens. The football gods would have to be mighty generous to let a proven commodity like that just fall into our laps.
E43
November 27th, 2012
10:02 pm
I think the Falcons operate a tad bit too much on the fear of failure. I think the Falcons can run the ball as well as pass the ball. In 4 quarters, I do not think they do enough of both to benefit the other. I advocated running on consecutive downs because the lack of a short to mid run game takes from the long game in the pass. I thought the falcons got acceptable yardage when ran on consecutive plays on the first drive. Then again, that could be the effect of scripting plays. I thought the runs early were a bit more exotic than the runs in the 3rd quarter. I’m not saying that they should run on consecutive downs every day. I actually just feel like the gains of 0 yards have always been there for the falcons even in 2008. The difference is that the falcons just don’t allow opposing defenses to break and collapse. They bail out their failures way too easily. Ball gets tipped and that play is out of the playbook for the day.
What happened to that shovel pass to Snelling that scored a TD? The same pass that got a first down later in that game.
just cause I can
Chop Buster
November 27th, 2012
10:03 pm
DHunt (9:53), I just think Ryan gets a little tunnel vision and seems like he doesn’t see the defender standing next to the receiver, TE or RB. I too believe that he will get better as time goes on. He just has to remember to survey the field once more before the snap. Additionally, Roddy didn’t do a d@mn thing to help Ryan out by alerting him that he may have a second blitzer coming. He stood right there watching the guy jumping back and forth. Our players need to look out for Matt as well when they see a potential issue.
Fukowi
November 27th, 2012
10:31 pm
The biggest play of the Tampa game was the one where Ryan got blind sided and smacked from the right and fumbled. I say biggest because Ryan got right back up. Everyone on this team complements Ryan – if he gets injured – season over. The OL has to do a better job – they are spoiled due to Matt’s unbelievable quick release. We have a great QB in the making who is still a young kid – protect him, give him great receivers and a good defense – and he will take you to great places.
Matty Bicep
November 27th, 2012
10:42 pm
Not looking to be difficult JB, I am with ya standing pat, I think we have the pieces in place to make a legitimate run and I would be concerned about screwing up our chemistry. I am philosophically with that, It is my experience that “next guy” is not necessarily better. I am more about dancing with the one ya brung…hence my defense of Smitty and Co.
I was just dreaming about Babin, and what Nolan could do, especially if he did not have to “tip his hand” how he would use Babs until playoff time. I am just thinking out loud to be honest, not trying to be “right”…. but If Babins contract is as palatable as it says, I would be surprised if it makes it to us.
Peace
Wings
November 28th, 2012
7:40 am
JB Falcon, thanks from you and your Elvis. I have found a pet named Elvis has to be special.
Wings
November 28th, 2012
7:44 am
JB Falcon your 10:46 message to Matty Bicep is the clearest yet by anyone to him. If he doesn’t comprehend it, all is lost.
One of my favorite sayings: Big egos have little ears.
John Waynesworld
November 28th, 2012
8:06 am
The Saints and Brees think they are in our heads. This upcoming tilt is becoming less and less important as far as the playoffs and homefield advantage, and more and more about MANHOOD. Popping off about how this is not a rivalry, dancing on our logo, having a party in the middle of an NFL game to celebrate a personal statistic while running up the score…MANHOOD.
If there is A SET left in Suwanee this game should be a blowout with Brees leaving the field in between two trainers clucking like a chicken. YOU GOT ME D LINE???
Chop Buster
November 28th, 2012
8:19 am
JW (8:06) co-sign. Brees even tried to throw in a cheap shot during his press conference in saying that, “We’re playing the best team in the NFC–at least that’s what their record says.”
I hope our guys truly Rise Up and embarrass these clowns. They talk all that garbage about owning the Falcons and them being their little brother. If there’s a time our defense needs to punch a team in the mouth, this is the game.
Shotgun
November 28th, 2012
9:16 am
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8682399
Nice article on Matt Ryan
Geo
November 28th, 2012
9:38 am
Falcons wear the throwback uni tomorrow. It kills me that the ‘66 outfit looks soooo much better than the “up to date” look. If I were AB, I would switch to the throwback all the time. Heck, they’d probably get more respect too, cuz they would look like a real football team.
Greg Mendel
November 28th, 2012
9:55 am
Thanks for the Ryan link, Shotgun. When my daughter was in grad school at Boston University, she waitressed at a pub near Boston College. BC football players were regulars, and she said they regularly acted like jerks — with the exception of Matt Ryan, who was always polite and considerate. That’s not relevant to football, but I always remember her comment when I see Matt.
Chop Buster
November 28th, 2012
10:13 am
Good read Shotgun. Thanks
Unca' Bob
November 28th, 2012
10:16 am
Greg Mendel,
That story may not be relevant to football, but, it is relevant. It’s in part what makes MR2 the fine young man he is as well as the leader of this team.
LRD
November 28th, 2012
10:38 am
Bluto’s right. Psychotic… but absolutely right. We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons, but that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part!
Geo
November 28th, 2012
10:48 am
Watched the NFL Replay of the Tampa game. Have to say I’m very encouraged with the rushing attack. It’s was exactly what we need, a nice mix of Quiz, Turner, and Snelling, with pitches and screens to our more versatile duo. Even Turner was more effective than most realize and ran with power and purpose on several runs, gaining three or four or more. His ill advised backwards run late in the fourth hurt his total/avg. I think there is still a role for him in the “running by committee” approach, and he seems to have accepted it.
In the NFL AM interview with Turner, he mentioned that the offense is less predictable, not the same old same old every game. In years past, CMS would keep banging his head against the wall doing the same three plays and then say “we just didn’t execute.” That is a lame excuse if it covers up the real culprit — bad playcalling. Thank you, DK, for using this offense correctly, and please keep mixing it up and keep defenses off balance.
Zoomie
November 28th, 2012
10:55 am
I don’t know exactly when the Falcons-Saints rivalry turned so sour on a global level, but I can tell you when it turned for me.
Even though the former bagheads turned ridiculously obnoxious (even making Philly fans look like choir boys) as soon as the Aints started winning, that still wasn’t enough for me. I’d still root for an NFC South team over anyone else, once the Falcons were out of the picture.
It was the 2009 NFC Championship game that turned my stomach. I watched an undisciplined team of hoodlums and scumbags taking cheap shots and treating their opponents with disdain. At the time, I was PO’d that the NFL allowed it to happen; I didn’t realize the NFL was already on to them and the Aints were being monitored for being cheating thugs. And they haven’t changed at all: witness Bunkley last week.
Since that time, I have more respect for stuff I scrape from the bottom of my shoes than I have for that Aints organization. I know a great number of Falcons fans are with me on that.
Here’s where we’re gonna suffer: Smitty don’t roll like that. CMS is a numbers man, a statistician, a man of reason and a strategic thinker. He always strives to take emotion out of the picture. To CMS, a Falcons-Aints game carries no more weight than any other. In the larger scheme, another loss to the Aints won’t have a major effect on reaching the team’s goals for the season. He will play this game conservatively, try to preserve his players, and expose as little of his capabilities as possible. If he wins with that game plan, great. If not, it doesn’t really affect the outcome of the season. I believe this is his mentality (and I have to begrudgngly agree it’s the mature approach, even though it pizzes me off).
I’ve watched this play out for five years, now. He doesn’t care about any “rivalry,” he cares about strategic goals. He doesn’t care about being the perception of being “owned” by the Aints, he cares about the Falcons’ place in the big NFL picture.
Taking this into account, and factoring in that the Aints are now playing for their lives, prepare to be disappointed, yet again, on Thursday night. If it happens, try to keep your eyes on the prize.
Winning a Superbowl in the Aints home dome would be worth losing to them twice in the regular season. Don’tcha think?
(Still, makes me want to puke just thinking about it . . .)
Geo
November 28th, 2012
10:56 am
ESPN power poll, Flacons #2: “Winning close games is great, but the percentages tend to even out eventually. (Sando)”
Uh, even if the Falcons lost the rest of their games (practically impossible), they would have to go back in time and lose a couple from earlier in the year to even it out. Stupid comment by Sando. Guess these guys are running out of material when you’ve got two or three storylines to work with — haven’t won in the playoffs, haven’t beaten anybody, and now, have played too many close games.
Zoomie
November 28th, 2012
11:01 am
EXACTLY!
This:
“. . . a nice mix of Quiz, Turner, and Snelling, with pitches and screens to our more versatile duo.”
Leads to this:
“. . . Turner was more effective . . . and ran with power and purpose . . .”
I think they’ve been experimenting and are starting to hit on a combination that is effective.
Greg Mendel
November 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Unca’ Bob: I agree, which is why it made an impression on me. At that time, Matt was already a star, but also at an age when all the attention can go to one’s head (as in Bartkowski, Favre, etc.). My daughter’s observation is evidence to me that Ryan is an unusually serious, intelligent guy. When he joined the Falcons, he made it a point to behave like a rookie, despite his talent and all the hype. He earned respect and paid his dues.
FWIW, I met a lot of celebrities when I worked in the TV biz. It’s amazing (and disappointing) to see what jerks some beloved showbiz folks are off-camera. (Some pleasant exceptions, too.)
One football-related thought on Ryan for you and others: With no NFL experience, Ryan found himself the starting QB of a team in ruins. Most rookie QBs are eased into things, often mentored by an experienced QB (A. Rogers, for example). How much difference would we see in Ryan’s performance had he been “groomed” before being made the starter?
D3
November 28th, 2012
11:36 am
Greetings Cage Family! — On the eve before a game of absolutely ENORMOUS proportions. Will it be the end of the world if we lose this game? Not necessarily. But dagnabbit, we really WANT get this one. As the trolls will love saying, “even in a down year we still own you.” One game doesn’t necessarily predict the future, but I can remember how we were on our high after beating the Ravens and Packers in a matter of weeks, heading towards the playoffs #1 seed and what happened with the next to last game at home the day after xmas? We lose to the hated sAINTS at home. I remember Mark Bradley wrote an article saying how that was a bad omen, specifically the way our offense played. I tried everything in my power to rationalize it away, but sure enough, it ended up being a d@mn fine predictor of our future playoff success after all. The last two we’ve played at home we coulda / shoulda won. In 2010, Smitty decides to punt the frackin’ ball with barely two minutes on the clock at midfield. Did Brees and Co get a first down? Yep….. Lost. Last year we drive all the way down with a chance to WIN THE GAME and we lose that chance. Go into OT and go for it in our own territory and not only don’t get the first, but get stuffed. Gotta get it done guys! This is another monkey on our back.
Arno
November 28th, 2012
11:42 am
Saints linebacker Scott Shanle informs us that the Falcons will be playing Big Brother tomorrow night. Perhaps Shanle believes “ignorance is strength.” – George Orwell, 1984
Geo
November 28th, 2012
11:57 am
Arno: Perhaps Shanle believes “ignorance is strength.”
I don’t think he has a choice.
Agree, D3, it is so time to put a beatdown on these guys.
LRD
November 28th, 2012
12:17 pm
Mendel: I work with a guy that must have hung out at the same pub. He said you could throw a peanut at Ryan and he would just smile and go back to hanging out. Said he never caused problems, could be provoked by friends or enemies and was just low key… funny that you brought that up…
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
12:46 pm
LRD, Greg Mendel,
Ryan was obviously “brought up” not “dragged up” like a few jocks are.
You can definately see it in his demeanour though.
On to the Saints. I think the comments from the Saints is an indication of a “drowning man clutching at a straw” attempt to hold on to the last bastion of hope that they have and that is “bragging rights” on a divisional opponent. So they try to belittle our achievements and dismiss us as not being a rival and all the other rhetoric associated with it. Mr. Lofton also seems to have found his tongue too as he seems to be ready to offer an opinion more frequently than when he was in our locker room; whatever man!
For more reasons than one, we need to win this game. It’s weird that a 10-1 you have a must win game butthat’s how I would classify this Thursday night battle. The intangibles far outweigh the tangibles.
As the great Robert Nesta would say……………
Them crazy, them crazy
We gonna chase those crazy
Baldheads out of town
Chase those crazy baldheads
Out of town
I and I build a cabin
I and I plant the corn
Didn’t my people before me
Slave for this country
Now you look me with a scorn
Then you eat up all my corn
We gonna chase those crazy baldheads
Chase them crazy
Chase those crazy baldheads out of town
Go Falcons!!
LRD
November 28th, 2012
1:05 pm
IF Lofton does the dirty bird a la Brooking I will lose my mind!
Like to see the Beertruck just crush Brees.. and then next series Moore comes in as a missile. We just cannot swing and miss taking him down as we have in the past
Off Topic: Nooka.. thanks now I will have that tune in my mind for the rest of the day. I have been listening to True Love (covers of Toots and the Maytals)..love the version Funky Kingston
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
LRD,
Do you have roots? Where did you get to hear about Toots and the Maytals?
What a bam bam!!! We should talk brother, musically that is!!
D3
November 28th, 2012
1:44 pm
LRD — Absolutely agreed on crushing Brees. Even if we don’t get to him we have to hit him and hit him hard, that’s the only way you’re going to beat great QBs. We’ve come close in the past only to let him side-step or escape. I sure hope this moment is not lost on the Falcons and what it means to beat these bastardos.
LRD
November 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
Nookah.. my roots are in Maryland.. but have an older brother with superb taste in music that opened my ears to Reggae.. and then my old roommate was a huge fan of Tosh, Wailers, Toots etc..
I am a dead head.. but just enjoy listening to about anything.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
November 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
At some point in this heated rivalry, Mike Smith must put down the calculators, stat sheets, rubik’s cube…and just tell the team, GUYS, IT’S TIME TO WHOOP SOME AZZ!!!
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
LRD,
Great to know bro. Enjoy the roots rock reggae.
Somebody,
You know that’s just not in his nature. As far as that goes he’s pretty consistent but I’m with you. I think that should be the message but in doing that you have to be careful we don’t lose our discipline, becasue you know we have the characters with the potential to do just that, know what I’m sayin’.
Go Falcons!!
LRD
November 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
Somebody: That is the speech I would expect to hear from Ryan, Roddy(off tweeter), Gonzo, Spoon and the old Lion Peterson…. sans Smith.
With Ryan pumping his fist saying get off my field.. well we need that type of emotion from him on the sidelines before the first kick.
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
3:02 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/11/28/atlanta-falcons-turner-rodgers-and-snelling-form-rb-committee/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
Change…like a glacier….but change.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
November 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
LRD, Nookah…I hear Ya. Smith is just so damn button up at times.
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
Big Ray,
I remember hearingan interview with Koetter at the beginning of the season and he was asked about the RB’s. His coimment was that Snelling is such an underrated RB. He can do so many things frm that position. When I saw him in the game on Sunday, I started to wonder if Snelling was part of the post season “surprise” that we may have up our sleeves so they have begun to work him in to the equation.
I remember last season he had that fantastic 21 yard run in the Dome against them Aints!! I’m looking for one more like this one – enjoy!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6KMEpG6ZEw
Go Falcons!!
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
3:24 pm
Dhunt ,
Your 9:53 p.m. post yesterday….all I can say is bravo. Especially when talking about what has been expected of Ryan and how he’s been coached the first four years in the NFL.
Some folks just can’t see that. Of course, they probably also can’t see that beginning in 2008, this franchise was reborn from the #2 guy on down. Rookie GM, rookie HC, rookie QB.
Ryan’s learning curve is linked to Smitty’s learning curve. It’s a testament to what kind of player he is to see how he has overcome being so damn scripted for so long. Four years we worked a faux power running scheme that was behind the times. Just how far does a QB go in such a system? How much does he learn? How quickly?
That is not to absolve Ryan of his mistakes, flaws, etc. It’s to quantify the connection between them and the other significant factors in play within the situation.
There is a distinct difference between making excuses and seeking to understand why thing are the way they are, and considering all the reasons. But I digress…
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
3:30 pm
Nookah ,
One can only hope. Of course,we have other issues to deal with. But that is one that I hope gets answered soon. It may very well be the difference between getting something done in the playoffs and getting shut down…again.
One little thing can make such a difference, affect so much. Having a strong, effective offense will determine how this season ends and how the postseason goes.
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
As for what the Tampa Bay Bucs are saying…..screw them. They could say the same thing about the Giants, who spotted them a much larger lead than we did…then came back and took the game.
When you win, you take the win. We ain’t giving it back. They tried to run, we did not let them. They tried to pass, we limited what they could do.
Did they leave some points on the field? Hell yeah, they did. So did we. Hell, we found every way imagineable to leave points on the field, including missing two FGs. We are better than they are and proved it by beating them despite two turnovers and throwing away two scoring drives via missed FGs. We even gave them good field position a couple of times. Gave them wide open receivers a few times.
If the Bucs were better, they would have won. They weren’t. End of story.
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
Big Ray,
3:35pm – nuff said!!
From your 3:24pm post – If you had a choice on getting one coach, any coach to develop Ryan to be Ultra-elite, who would you pick?
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
Accu-Score on ESPN has the Falcons 51% straight up favorites, for whatever that’s worth.
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
3:54 pm
8 out of 9 “experts” on SI have picked the Falcons!
Zoomie
November 28th, 2012
4:01 pm
(And Big Ray’s countenance falls in disappointment as he watches the large shadow that rose to his fervently-twitching lure, slowly slink away and disappear into the depths, and he realizes, “Damn, guess they can see a lot more than I gave them credit for . . .”)
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
Zoomie ,
I am dumb enough to miss some jokes…so pardon me if I missed that one. On the other hand, if you want to call me out on something, then do so. Perhaps I said something that you disagree with? Happens…
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
Nookah ,
All I can say is it damn sure would not have been Mularkey or Bill Musgrave. I wouldn’t have minded having somebody more QB friendly. Mike Sherman, perhaps? I am quite certain that there are several here that have way better ideas than I do.
What I do know is that the folks who have occupied the offensive side of the coaching staff prior to this year were power run/physical offense oriented. I also know that this hasn’t won a SB in a while. That fact might inconvenience some folks (Mularkey). I also know that you MIGHT win that way IF you actually have a powerful OL that can consistently maul defenses and push them off the ball (we don’t), and if you have a mean defense that dominates far more often than not (we have that neither…yet).
Both things don’t contribute well to a QB’s progress when trying to reach elite status. The rest is up to the QB.
Koetter seems mightily impressed with Ryan. I’ll take his word. Ryan’s got a lot to work on. He’ll get there. But this is the first year from what I can see that his learning curve got truly accelerated. No surprise that the mistakes become more glaring.
Some folks alluded to this before the season began. I wasn’t one of them, but I damn sure see what they’re talking about now.
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
JB ,
You running those numbers for Smitty? LOL…I hear he likes them numbers…
Thanks for the positivity, even if it’s boredom inspired