Atlanta Falcons: Birds Win Huge Game vs. Saints
Falcons Take Another Step
Huge Night by Abe, Defense (AJC)
The offense was anemic after the first drive and it was yet another nail-biter, but the Falcons removed another monkey off their back by beating their fiercest rival Saints on Thursday Night Football. After getting up early 17-0 and giving fans a hope of a blowout, the Falcons offense hit a stonewall and leaned heavily on one of the best defensive efforts likely in it’s history to beat the Saints. Not only did they win a big game, but the defense also nabbed a new career high 5 interceptions from Drew Brees along with snapping his 54 game streak with a touchdown pass. As of Sunday, the Falcons also clinched their 2nd NFC South division title in 3 years with the Tampa Bay Bucs losing to Denver.
Falcons Clinch 2nd NFC South Title in 3 Years
With the Tampa Bay Bucs losing in Denver on Sunday, the Falcons clinched their 2nd NFC South Division Title with 4 games remaining on the season. It’s hasn’t always been pretty and spectacular, but the fact remains that the Falcons still are tied for the best record in the NFL at 11-1 and, besides the Houston Texans, most other teams are finding their own struggles and actually losing games. No one is likely celebrating in Flowery Branch on the news of winning another NFC South Title, but rather on what they need to get fixed in the next month before the playoffs start. However, Coach Smith, all the coaches, the Falcons players, Thomas Dimitroff, Arthur Blank, and everyone else involved with the Atlanta Falcons franchise deserves amazing credit for giving Atlanta and it’s fans something to be proud of, which is a team that is consistently good to great every single year and has a chance at getting the whole thing someday.
Amazing Defensive Effort
D's Big Night (AJC)
Really all that needs to be said is the stat line: Drew Brees intercepted 5 times, which has never happened before and the Falcons defense breaks his long-standing TD streak at 54 games. It simply was a beautiful thing to behold, a defense that has had fits trying anything to shut down Brees and one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL the last 5 years. Even though John Abraham came away with only one sack on the night, the entire defense hurried, harangued, and hit Brees all night long to get him out of his comfort zone. The linebackers were all over the place batting balls, making plays, and giving tight coverage. The defensive backfield really stepped up with William Moore looking every bit the Pro Bowler with 2 awesome picks. Thomas DeCoud set the tone with his pick in the endzone in the beginning of the game. Along with Dunta Robinson, Robert McClain continued his excellent year with Christopher Owens having one of the best games of his career. And finally of course, much of the credit goes to one Mike Nolan for finally taking this defense to the next level in less than a year. In fact, if the offense never gets their consistency down, the Falcons defense may have to lead the way in the postseason.
1 for 11 on 3rd Downs. Really?
Let’s all just hope it was a really bad night on offense and not a disturbing trend. Matched up against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Falcons offense hit a cement stonewall after their awe-inspiring and dominating first drive. It was a thing of beauty to witness the Falcons shoving the run game down the Saints throats, but after that they evidently checked out. Ryan was off-target, the running game got cute and had some more of those infamous wasted plays, the receivers were dropping the ball and disappearing, and they couldn’t gain a first down to save their lives, normally a very good area (coming into the game as #2 in NFL in 3rd down conversions). Roddy White said they got complacent. Let’s all just hope that it was one of those bad nights, but it’s still unfathomable to understand how an offense loaded with so much talent can get completely shut down. They better get some things fixed and start getting it together very soon because the calendar is running out and they don’t want to head into the playoffs limping on offense. Especially when the defense is playing at such a high level.
Running Game Gets Going………..Early
This Must've Been Later in Game (AJC)
It was the best that Michael Turner has run in a long while. The first offensive drive was a sight to see. Turner was pounding the rock, running hard between the tackles and Jacquizz Rodgers was adding in the quick and shifty runs as a perfect complement. This was exactly what Falcons fans had been waiting to see: a sort of “thunder and lightning” combination. It sure was nice to see, but for whatever reason, the running game and the offense as a whole just fell off a cliff. It was a shame to see the running game going so well early on and the passing game be so terribly off. Which leads directly into the next point.
Will This Team Ever Fully Click?
You surely can’t blame the defense at this point, but this will be an ongoing question either until this team comes together in all three phases or they it will be a case of untapped potential. Yes, they’re still winning, but the teams that find a way to get to the Big Dance and hoist that Lombardi Trophy are the ones that find a way to come together and play great in all three parts. At times it’s been the offense and others it’s been the defense. Others, the special teams has bailed the team out. Fans keep waiting. Offense are you listening?
Woeful Offensive Line
A Yucky Offensive Performance (AJC)
There’s nothing else to say that already hasn’t been beaten to a pulp going all the way back to preseason and even last year. There’s certainly no immediate help and, just like the team itself, it seems as though the entire line can’t all perform on a high level at the same time. In the past the problem has been pressure from the outside, particularly from Clabo’s end. Sam Baker has done pretty well overall. During the Saints game, the tackles seem to hold their ground only to see the middle get blown up all game long. Rookie Peter Konz was getting handled, 35 year old Todd McClure had his hands full, and even the usual steady Justin Blalock was shaky. The Falcons don’t have a whole lot of reinforcements available this deep into the season and really didn’t change anything from last year’s underwhelming OL. At this point, it’s up to OL coach Pat Hill and Dirk Koetter to find ways to either improve the OL, minimize the deficiencies, and play to their strengths. Let’s all hope they find a way to fix it the best they can down the homestretch.
Is Ryan a Rhythmic Passer?
There definitely have been times when Matt Ryan has gotten off to a bad start and come back to play well. And surely, to an extent, all quarterbacks need to get some type of rhythm. However, it seems particularly acute with the Falcons quarterback. When Ryan gets off to a good start, he usually finishes with a fantastic day. Look no further than some of the games this year, the first Saints game comes to mind. Maybe it’s unfair to say that Ryan must start good to finish good, but the opposite does seem to be true: when Ryan gets off to a rocky start with constant pressure, he usually struggles the entire game. With this porous offensive line even the best quarterback would have a hard time, but when Ryan has a few bad series to get the game started, it appears to be an uphill battle from that point on. Three games in particular stick out this season in that regard: the Raiders, Cardinals, and the Saints most recent game. Thursday night’s game would seem to be a dream for Ryan with the running game dominating early on, but the passing game was non-existent and managed only one TD after the first drive even though the defense nabbed 5 interceptions. Once again, this may not be all his fault because the offensive line was dreadful and receivers had plenty of drops, but if Ryan needs a good, quick start to get going than that should be an emphasis in game-planning.
Owens Redemption
Owens Good Game (AJC)
It didn’t come in a playoff game, but Christopher Owens had a night to remember. Long known (unfairly) as the main scapegoat to the Debacle in the Dome destruction vs. the Packers in the 2010/11 playoffs, Owens had a big night subbing in for Asante Samuel after the first play of the game. Owens had several nice passes defensed, including an especially athletic one in the endzone that would have otherwise gone for a TD. It was great to finally see Owens play up to his potential that most fans remember back when he took over at the end of 2009. Seeing Owens and Robert McClain doing so well under Mike Nolan’s defense has alleviated some worries at cornerback going forward the next several years.
Will Falcons Ever Find Killer Instinct?
It certainly doesn’t seem so. Stop if you’ve heard this one before. The Falcons get off to a great start, even going up 17-0 in the first half with a foe (the biggest rival in this case) they seem to have on the ropes and on the verge of burying them. And then……….the Falcons let them right back in the game and have to find a way to win at the very end of the game. Yes, it’s going to happen from time to time, especially when playing a good opponent with a high-powered offense. But this is a common occurrence with the Mike Smith led Falcons. It can’t all be put on Smith for getting conservative when getting a big lead (in fact they started throwing the ball after being dominant in the run game on the first series), but do the Falcons always have to put themselves in this position? The score was 17-0 and the defense was playing lights out, only to see the offense hit a brick wall and go 1 for 11 on third down conversions. One of the biggest complaints from fans in the off-season was the Falcons inability to develop any kind of killer instinct. Obviously all wins can’t be blowouts, but whenever the Falcons have a chance to put a game on ice, they simply can not find a way to do it, whatever the reason.
Bird Cage Egg Tosser’s Turn
1) Simple Egg Toss – overall thoughts on beating the hated Saints on Thursday Night Football?
2) Is that one of the best Falcons defensive performances in franchise history?
3) Will the defense carry the torch in the playoffs, instead of the offense?
4) What in Hades happened to the offense?
5) Emerging trend (getting figured out) or just one bad night?
6) Thoughts on the running game vs. the Saints
7) Will this team ever fully click this season or postseason?
8.) Anything left to say about offensive line?
9) Is Ryan a rhythmic passer?
10) Thoughts on Chris Owens superb performance?
11) Will the Falcons ever find a killer instinct in 2012?
12) How good does it feel to be 2012 NFC South Champs?
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750 comments Add your comment
E43
December 5th, 2012
10:48 pm
Nolan would demolish Kaepernick.
Big Ray
December 5th, 2012
11:24 pm
Really, our OL issues can be traced back to the JJ trade, not that it was a bad trade, but it is not without consequence.
I’d be more willing to believe that if I didn’t have the evidence of past drafts and the use of OL draft picks to make me feel borderline at best about that theory.
The only thing we can guarantee is that IF there WERE more high level OL picks that TD would have made in that same draft, they could have as easily been lost to injury issues (which affect development) their first year (like Baker and Holmes) or fastened to the bench in favor of an incumbent (like Hawley), or worse – stuck to the bench in favor of an incumbent at a less favored position (like Konz).
Seeing all that, I have to wonder what kind of OL pick would make the starting squad. It’s not like our starting OL is chock full of Pro Bowlers and/or bonafide studs who would be would be hard to wrest a job from.
Just sayin’….
When I see the same
Coop
December 5th, 2012
11:36 pm
BR – You have a valid point. However, the OL in year 5 is an indictment of the process. Whether it’s drafting, FA, player development, or injuries… Why has our OL and DL NOT significantly improved over 5 years?
QB is better. Receiving is better. LBing is better. Secondary in better. Only the lines and running is the same or worse.
Coop
December 5th, 2012
11:38 pm
The JJ trade cost us, but we did get a potential HOFer. I submit that the Spoon selection was more damaging. He’s a good to borderline pro-bowl LB. but they are rarely game changers. Urlacher, Matthews, and a couple others. That pick would have been better suited on a big DT which would make existing LBs better or OL.
BobbyDawg
December 6th, 2012
4:30 am
Losing Harvey Dahl lowered the quality of our O line considerably. He was somebody we could build on. Who have we got to build on now? I’m sure they’ll get it figured out, but the present quality of the Oline doesn’t fit in with the quality of rest of the team. GO FALCONS !
Wings
December 6th, 2012
7:07 am
Falcon21 I saw you mentioned Cartersville.
Do you ever go to Ross’s Diner for breakfast? Just a counter all around and great biscuits! It opened in 1945.
Unca' Bob
December 6th, 2012
7:23 am
Brian Billick’s take on the run game.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Brian-Billick-Ray-Rice-Arian-Foster-Adrian-Peterson-running-the-ball-in-a-passing-league-120512
Unca' Bob
December 6th, 2012
8:05 am
Pete Prisco on Sham Newton.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/21274642/unpopular-newton-received-rough-treatment-from-other-players-during-pro-bowl
Wabe
December 6th, 2012
9:07 am
So Smitty said we’ll keep the pedal to the metal…
Well, now with everything essentially on the verge of being locked up, let’s see it. With little to play for in the coming weeks, how will these guys line up and play? Are they gonna take it into an other gear, or are these 11-1 Birds gonna be as good as we’ve seen.
I’ve said numerous times that it’s not necessarily the W’s and L’s throughout the course of the season. I get it, we had to lock up the division and get the best possible seed possible. Well, all of that is within reach now. But, we haven’t looked ‘playoff caliber’ in many, if not most, of our games thus far this season. When you have players on the 3-9 Carolina Panthers who have the onions to come out and say their 3-9 team is a better team than the 11-1 Falcons, it shows you that nobody’s really buying into our record. The Bucs said similar things after their loss.
Now, some folks might say those are just players who play for rivals that are just suckin on sour grapes. But, I can gaurantee there are a number of players on a lot of these teams that feel the same way. They’d love to get another shot at us. Teams like the Cardinals are probably wondering, “if only we had a QB, we would’ve beaten those guys…”. Even the Cowboys are probably thinking that had they made just a play or two more, they would’ve beaten us. Same with the Raiders. Or the Skins.
I get it, the should’ve, would’ve, could’ve game don’t cut it all the time. But, there is some merit to what they’re saying. We haven’t really played like an 11-1 team this season. We’ve come out of games with more questions than we’ve answered. We haven’t put together many complete games this season. One side of the ball is always having to pick up the slack the other side has shown. The defense having to do it more so than the offense.
If they wanna get anywhere, they’ll have to crank it up in the next month or so. Been sayin’ it over and over. Time to get it going now……..
Geo
December 6th, 2012
9:42 am
I think the Carolina game should have been our one loss and the first Saints game should have been a win. But overall, we’ve played winning football and deserve our 11-1 record. We are that good. We may not look impressive, but we are very hard to beat. I’ll take that any day. I may be in the minority, but I’m not looking for a complete game or a blowout win, although they are fine and we’ve enjoyed a few this year. (all a complete game means to me is that the other team didn’t belong on the field or just phoned it in, and that’s not the character of the NFL 90 percent of the time. A complete game is what teams invision when they go through drills without meeting the resistance of an opposition).
Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do crank it up. I think Coach Smith has done a good job of keeping them focused on the big picture — the long season broken up into four quarters, the goals of the post season — while also getting them to focus on every game. Heck, Smith even takes it down to focus on each play. They seem like a much more confident bunch than in years past. No more talk of being “relevant.” Smith has set the bar higher this season.
This Sunday will be interesting. Apparently, Carolina has an enormous chip on their shoulder due to Ryan’s “get the bleep off our field” comment from the sidelines that was picked up by the Fox cameras. The O line needs to have one goal and execute it: protect Matt. Can’t let him get hurt against this joke of a team that has little else to play for.
Big Ray
December 6th, 2012
9:49 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/12/05/atlanta-falcons-is-matt-ryan-in-a-slump/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
Ok,so the Kitty Cats want some blood. They better be careful what they ask for.
My quick thoughts:
1) This is a game to get our pass protection straight. The Panthers beat up on Ryan last time, they’ll be looking to do it again, especially Mr. Johnson. What they really want to do – hurt Ryan and thereby hurt our chances at postseason success (which is exactly what would happen if Ryan isn’t healthy and ready to play when the time comes). Better get it right. F’in execute.
2) Yeah, Ryan IS in a bit of a slump. Happens to the best. It would be easier for him to just fix himself and get his head screwed on right if there weren’t other external factors. We’ve been over those ad nauseum. The final fact, however, is that Ryan will have to try and overcome any external factors and do what HE needs to do to help us win. He can ask Jay Cutler all about how that works. Cutler has similar pass protection issues (maybe worse ones), although he does have an ace RB and better play calling…
3) Continue to solidify the run defense with hard hitting and sure tackling, such as was on display against Tampa Bay. The more we do it, the better we’ll be when the postseason comes. Let’s also show that the five/six picks on Brees were not merely a bad game on his part. Oh, and whoop Cam Newton’s behind. I like it when he pouts. It’s hilarious to watch.
4) Since the Carolina Kitties will be bringing blitz every chance they get, now is a good time to work on those blitz neutralizing strategies. Such as playing out of the shotgun, draw plays with Rodgers, screen passes (with sufficient blocking, please), etc.
Big Ray
December 6th, 2012
10:05 am
Coop ,
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not touting the JJ trade as a perfect move. It wasn’t.
And you’re right – this is an indictment of the process. I think everything you mentioned as a possibility for why the OL and DL aren’t up to snuff has a part in it.
Drafting – failed there so far, though Konz and Holmes may yet change that premise, and maybe Travian Robertson will too (one hopes). Corey Peters has been the lone proven pleasant surprise, though we’ve lacked consecutive season proof of this due to injury. Kroy Biermann gets a nod, but with the advent of Mike Nolan, we are finding that perhaps he is a LB more than he is a D-Lineman. Peria Jerry – fail.
Free Agency – Fail. John Abraham is the best thing that we’ve had in free agency and Dimitroff can’t take credit for him because that acquisition was 2 years before he even became GM of this team. The Blalock re-signing – solid but kinda vanilla. The Clabo re-signing – fail. Letting Harvey Dahl go – fail. Vince Manuwai – injury fail. Ray Edwards – Epic Fail.
Development – Valdez and Bryce Harris cherry-picked from our PS. Mike Johnson was a pre-mid round pick. Got nothing out of it. He sometimes gets to play as an eligible Tackle or an extra Tackle. Beyond that, you never see him. Baker – adequate when healthy, but will never justify a first round pick. Svitek – solid signing. Joe Hawley – fail. Peter Konz – nearly a fail. Garrett Reynolds – fail. Lamar Holmes – no idea because a broken toe guaranteed the shackles of the apprenticeship program. Incidentally, the apprenticeship program has Reynolds and Johnson playing positions they did NOT play in college.
Cliff Matthews – this guy should probably have been on the field already. But maybe he’s like Biermann – really an NFL LB, not a DE. Still…with John Abraham size, why is he not on the field? Lawrence Sidbury – fail after promising performances the prior year. Can’t begin to guess at or explain this one – dude must be in witness protection or something. Jonathon Massaquoi – I can only think it’s the apprenticeship program. Is what it is.
Geo
December 6th, 2012
10:11 am
Is Matt Ryan slumping? I don’t think so. Just needs a little bit better protection.
And, according to Pete Prisco, some of the problem last Thursday night was receivers not winning their route, and a good game plan by Spagnuolo:
“Film study
1. What went wrong with the Atlanta Falcons’ high-flying pass offense last week against the Saints? Matt Ryan struggled to throw the football, but there were reasons.” The rest http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/21288067/after-further-review-rookies-wilson-luck-impress-in-late-drives
Coop
December 6th, 2012
10:52 am
BR – Nice breakdown. Some of us argued for all 5 drafts under Dimitroff and TD that we needed to develop the lines. Now, I looked stupid cause I wanted Dorsey and Flacco over Ran. Ryan is clearly the better QB. But as much as I love JJ and Spoon, and even Rodgers. You can get the ball to your playmakers if the OL can’t block or open holes. And your LBs and DBs are little help if they’re trying to shed blocks from OL because our DL can’t anchor the line.
Don’t get me wrong, we have improved in some areas. But the philosophy has been to build the team from the outside in. Clearly, we are having success. But it seems like a more dangerous to live. If Ryan goes down, we are EPICALLY effed!
I do like that they drafted Konz and Holmes. But if Holmes can’t supplant Clabo or Baker next season, then I have to say, WTH? It’s like we keep drafting these guys Johnson, Jackson, Reynolds, Holmes, Sidbury, Matthews, Massaquoi and they can’t develop enough to beat out the average to sub par players.
So we can blame drafting, player development, or FA signings. Hell, through play design in there. The bottom line is that we are nearing the end of year 5 and TD and Smitty have not made our two lines significantly better than they were 5 years ago. That’s an indictment of their process.
Zoomie
December 6th, 2012
10:56 am
Yep. Like I wrote earlier: 5 bad throws by MR2, three WR drops, the rest could be attributed to good defense by the Aints.
MR2 mostly gets a pass on the bad throws; he was hurried and harassed all day. So was Brees, and he made A LOT worse throws. The WR drops happen. I think they stood out a little more in this game because they haven’t been happening much lately, plus the game was against the Aints, which always magnifies the errors in the fans’ eyes, I believe.
So, why was the NO defense so effective against the Falcons when they’ve been stnking it up against everyone else? Division foe. These two teams know each other well, plus these games are always more competetive. We’re about to see another slobberknocker. Wanna write off the Kittens ’cause of their 3-9 record? They honestly believe they’re better than the Falcons and they’re going to bring it Sunday — believe it!
I the Falcons don’t bring their A-game, they could lose.
LRD
December 6th, 2012
11:01 am
For the remainder of the season.. do whatever you can to keep Ryan healthy. Hold if you have to , trip if you have too, just keep him from being tagged… ie what happened in the last Carolina game. And if the Cats are out for some “blood” they will be trying for Ryan.
Pedal to the metal eh.. I want to see them working every game to correct the issues that have plagued us thus far.. they have corrected the defense against the running attack. our backups on our DB;s have and continue to surprise so keep building on that (with Moore having a hamstring injury now, Hope may have his chance to prove he is ready too).
But we need our O-line to be worked now.. the D side seems to be in decent shape overall and ready for post season, but our O needs to score TDs and not just FG’s when we are in the red zone.
Our D has provided turn overs lately and not enough of them have been turned into points.
Our O needs the tuning now to be prepared.
( and yes, I am the master of the obvious….)
Agent signings.. dont forget Lofa…
Paddy O
December 6th, 2012
11:14 am
actually, the O line problems stem from letting Harvey Dahl leave via FA.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
11:50 am
Greetings Cagers!!!
I’m already hearing the commissioner…with the 32nd pick in the 2013 nfl draft the ATL Falcons select ….OLine….
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
11:50 am
Paddy O, I concur with your 11:14 post.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
12:03 pm
So the Kitty Cats need some extra motivation as they are already getting ready to clean out their lockers and get ready for the off season.
That’s OK, whatever works for them.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
12:06 pm
agers, in the the indomitable words of the Hon. Robert Nest Marley, I dedicate this especially for the Kitty Cats!!
Why boasteth thyself, O evil men;
Playing smart and not being clever, oh no!
I say you’re working iniquity
To achieve vanity, yeah, if a-so a-so.
But the goodness of Jah – Jah
Idureth for Iver.
If you are the big tree,
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down, (well sharp)
Ready to cut you down, oh yeah!
These are the words of my master
Keep on tellin’ me – o-oh! – no weak heart shall prosper:
Oh no, they can’t! Eh.
And whosoever diggeth a pit, Lord,
Shall fall in it – shall fall in it.
Whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it – shall bury in it.
Read it and weep Carolina!!
Matty Bicep
December 6th, 2012
12:19 pm
I also concur about Dahl, I watched a good bit of the St Louis/9ers game the other day and watched Dahl battling ever play.
They held J Smith to 1 sack in 2 games,….A Smith beat them a few times, but overall, I thought St Louis OL held their own.
Matty Bicep
December 6th, 2012
12:20 pm
Carolina is a nothing game, I appreciate them at least giving us something to play for.
Arno
December 6th, 2012
1:17 pm
“It’s going to be fun for the coaches. Football in December, it can’t get any better.” — Mike Smith
fun for the coaches,,,, very interesting….
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
1:34 pm
Arno,
What do you think he means by that?
From time to time I have posted the anology of some CEO’s who are able to take a company out of the red and get them back on a respectable path of profitability. However, that same CEO may not be the one to bring said company from profyability to cutting edge and marquee status in the industry. MS may just be that CEO.
Just sayin’
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
1:35 pm
That should be “analogy”.
Arno
December 6th, 2012
1:59 pm
Nookah– Smith’s comment interested me in the context of posts here wondering whether the CS is holding something back, or whether faster developing plays could counter the gunning for Ryan/dare us to run strategies that we are seeing. Is Smith saying that the CS can’t wait to toss out some new wrinkles? Sounds like if so, then we will see the “fun” start to happen in Carolina. IMO, the black mark against MS as a CEO is that he did not do what he said was a primary goal from the start– to develop dominant trench warfare. Many, many people have already pointed that one out. If he can get that in place, then I expect to see the industry standard.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
2:29 pm
Arno,
Well said. My only reservation is that we did not see it in all the playoff games so far. However, I won’t sit here and say an old dog can’t learn new tricks but I am hoping a more experienced coach will realize the same plays you called in the first season (regular), cannot be the same ones called in the second (post-season). If you do not add some wrinkles you’ll be in the offseason before you planned it, plain and simple. Therein lies why I admire Sean Payton; he is the mad scientist, always willing to take a risk. Our well respected HC is the other end of the spectrum.
Don’t get me wrong there is a place for that but not in the post season.
Anyway with that said I am optimistic this year. I am hoping that the same way this team has had to learn to win, it’s the same way our HC will learn how to call plays in the post season.
Oh by the way MR2 goes for 300+ and 3 touches and no TO’s; Julio will have a huge game and our D will be stellar as Nolan has proven that when he sees you especially for the second time, he makes you always remember him.
Go Falcons!!
Go Falcons!!
LRD
December 6th, 2012
2:38 pm
Nookah, I will see you the 300yds for MR2 and raise you 65yds for Rodgers
What is the over.under on Steve Smith finally getting fed up and getting a 15 yd penalty for unsportman like conduct?? ( and what are the odds he finally goes off on Newton on the sideline??)
D3
December 6th, 2012
2:43 pm
Thursday Greetings Cage Family! — I see we’ve brought back the JJ trade with our OL discussion. Nothing like an OL discussion to give a little boost to the Cage. Some great points, and I’ll surely be putting my $0.02 in here very soon.
Just a little quick run…….
I know it’s common knowledge to say that TD was wrong in letting Dahl walk and keep Clabo, but I have to admit that I thought it was the most solid move……..at the time. If you remember, we had Blalock, Clabo, and Dahl up for free agency that year. It’s my belief now that I didn’t think we could or should keep all 3 due to the age issue. Dahl will be 32 next year and Clabo’s right behind. I know now that when TD wants to keep someone, he finds a way.
I also thought (foolishly) that someone, ANYONE could take over at RG after being developed there. I am just thoroughly wrong and heavily disappointed with Mike Johnson. I truly felt that it was a good pick since he had started that many games for Nick Saban at Alabama and had such a dominant run offense in the SEC. Hell, he broke the record for most starts by an Alabama player EVER! But I have to concede at this point that he’s a never been. If you can’t beat out Garrett Reynolds two years in a row, than your destiny has been cemented.
I’ll have a ton more to come in a little bit, and I still think that we should go best available OL in the first round and we’d be set. Holmes – LT, Blalock – LG, Konz – C, 1st rd draft pick – RG, Baker or Clabo – RT. Yeah, I’d roll with that.
JJ
December 6th, 2012
2:46 pm
***FFL***
Nookah,
Did you notice someone in our league (whos not in the playoffs) picked up 2 more qbs (now has 4, league max) heading into 1st wek of playoffs?
Not going to call out this cager cause I enjoy his post but can only think of 2 reasons. If hes worried about a tie (hes favored by 17pts) or its his startegy to block other teams from grabbing them. Namely you and I since everyone else(in the playoffs) has 2 qbs.
It’s no big deal but for someone not in the playoffs trying to effect the playoffs is well…interesting to say the least.
JJ
December 6th, 2012
3:01 pm
week, damn keyboard.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
JJ,
I did not even realize that. I’ll check as soon as I have some time. The unfortunate thing is that work keeps interferring with my Cage blogging!! Fortunately I know my priorities….hehehe!!
LRD
December 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
JJ Not I.. I left go of Carson a few weeks ago.. not letting go of my other one.. but would love to get a decent back up RB.. as who knows if Lynch will make it thru the remainder of the year…
Coop
December 6th, 2012
3:15 pm
JJ – It was me!!!!
I wasn’t trying to affect the playoffs, but I am trying to win the consolation games I have left. I tied a game that basically sealed my fate because I had less bench points than my opponent. I don’t plan on letting that happen again. If I had thought of this sooner, I would have done it then. Plus, I have for games left and decided to grab the best available players… they almost all happen to be QBs. You’re welcome to Patrick Willis, Emmanual Sanders, or Ryan Tannehill. You’ll find them in the pool I dropped. Hell, I’m willing to trade Larry Fitz and any of my QBs for a decent RB (since there haven’t been any since the draft). Either way, all the playoff teams are playing on a level field, but if you need Carson Palmer or Jake Locker to put you over the top, send me a trade requst.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:16 pm
LRD, Detroit is gonna allow all that yardage? Say it ain’t Suh!! (hehehe)
I’m not sure what the over/under is but the odds on Smith going off on Sham is like odds on!!
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:21 pm
JJ,
“Did you notice someone in our league (whos not in the playoffs) picked up 2 more qbs (now has 4, league max) heading into 1st wek of playoffs?”
Some of those guys are good scramblers and could could pass as RB’s, so maybe that’s the reason for the depth. I’m just trying to find an explanation here, bear with me.
JJ
December 6th, 2012
3:28 pm
Coop, trade deadline was 3 weeks ago.
Those 8 in the playoffs are vying for the championship.
Those 4 not in it are vying for the top 4 picks in next yr draft.
Its no biggie and wasnt going to call you out. It just doesnt look good IMO, but it may not affect the championship anyway!
LRD
December 6th, 2012
3:33 pm
Julio only needs 69 yds this sunday to break the 1000 yd mark.. that would be sweet
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:38 pm
JJ,
Am I doing in FFL what the Giants did in playoffs last year, i.e. getting hot at the right time? Time will tell.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:38 pm
LRD,
He’ll get 113 and 2 touches.
Nookah
December 6th, 2012
3:40 pm
OK, so TG feels moved to comment on Greg Hardy’s outburst.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/12/06/atlanta-falcons-tony-gonzalez-on-hardys-trash-talk-what-else-is-he-going-to-say-at-this-point-they-havent-won/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
JB Falcon
December 6th, 2012
3:53 pm
This, from Pat Yastinkass, is about as close as he will come to admitting that we don’t suck.
“But the more I think about the Falcons, the more I’m convinced they really are good. A team can be lucky here and there. But when at team is lucky week after week, that’s no accident. When a team repeatedly wins close games in the NFL, it’s doing something right.”
Zoomie
December 6th, 2012
3:54 pm
TG88 on Hardy: “What else is he going to say at this point? They haven’t won that many games,”
This game is gonna be either really ugly, or beautiful. Or maybe, like a beloved mutt, so ugly it’s beautiful.
Can’t wait!
JJ
December 6th, 2012
4:00 pm
Nookah, yea you could say yourgetting hot at the right time OR you can thank your lucky tars that McCoy got hurt and you landed Bryce Brown off ww, lol. You went from barely avg. 100 pts until the last 2 weeks, 130 and 159. Wow, keep your fingers crossed on McCoy, Ill be doing just the opposite, lol!!!!!
Come on back McCoy!!!!!!!
JJ
December 6th, 2012
4:02 pm
Sorry for spelling, keys keep sticking…
LRD
December 6th, 2012
4:02 pm
If it is like the rest of the season it will be ugly with glimpses of beauty… but still ugly
JJ
December 6th, 2012
4:09 pm
LRD, bet you didnt expect to be a -15pt underdog as the #1 seed vs #8 seed Nookah.!
JJ
December 6th, 2012
4:12 pm
As SW says all the time, anything can happen in the big dance. Projected points mean nothing as we all know to well. Unca Bob is prob going to kick my azz.
Coop
December 6th, 2012
4:25 pm
JJ – I understand your point about 8 guys scrambling for the championship. I disagree that the rest of us are scrambling for draft positions. I’m not, I want to win. I’ve wanted to win every game. Otherwise, I’d drop all my players to FA and score zero points. I’m showing the integrity to play hard till the end.
Final two points. The players I took have been sitting there all day. I didn’t claim them days ago and block anyone. So any of the 8 of you could have out a claim in on them and they’d not have been there when I opened up FFL for the first tim ethis week.
And… if Jake Locker or Carson Palmer are the guys oyu need to win the trophy, then how the hell did you make the playoffs and I didn’t.