Atlanta Falcons: Birds Face Playoff Questions
Time for the Falcons to Get it Done
Time to Get it Done #2 (AJC)
It’s what we’ve all been waiting for: the playoffs. Falcons players, fans, and everyone associated with the organization have heard it all the way back to last January when they were embarrassed for the second year in a row in the playoffs, losing three out of four. The chorus from the media elite and talking heads has only grown louder every time the Birds won another game. There are literally almost no articles that have been written this season regarding the Falcons, in any capacity, that have not mentioned the “can’t win in the playoffs,” or “0-3 in the playoffs,” meme. Even articles that have been favorable or complimentary always have that backhand tucked in there somewhere. Yes, it’s true the Falcons have fallen short the past three tries in the playoffs under Coach Smith, but the incessant and ridiculous inclusion of that attack line has been preposterous. How could the Falcons change anything about past or the postseason in week 4?
The time has come for this head coach, this quarterback, and this organization to put this garbage to rest. For some, it will never be enough until the Falcons win the Super Bowl outright, and even then some will rationalize it away. However, getting over that hump will do wonders for all associated with the Falcons and blow up that assault once and for all. Fans likely can’t even go to what it will be like if they don’t win this one.
Have Lessons Been Learned? Part 2
This is a sequel to last weeks post regarding planning and preparation on the part of the coaching staff, specifically Head Coach Mike Smith. An article by the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter discussed how different this year’s preparation will be both during the bye week and after. It appears that Smith has learned his lessons, because the details of how truly soft their bye week preparation that was done, is shocking. The idea of a team earning a bye week is just like the bye week during the season, teams can get their team as healthy as possible, working on fundamentals that have been slipping, and fix problems that cropped up.
Time to Cut Julio Loose (AJC)
Smith evidently felt it was a time have cookies and punch. He gave them 3 days off during the bye week, had them report on Thursday, and then gave them the rest of the weekend off. Yes, that’s no joke. It’s actually a wonder the Falcons didn’t get beat worse than 48-21 in the Debacle in the Dome by the Packers. It’s understandable that you don’t want to do Oklahoma drills all day and treat it like training camp battles, but for goodness sake, you’ve got to find a way to keep somewhat of an edge. Smith has said all the right things and it seems he got the message loud and clear after his initial approach. Smith was quoted as saying something along the lines of “we’re going to do do everything completely different than the last time.” That’s surely music to fans ears.
Momentum is a Guarantee of Playoff Success, Right?
Most talking head media elites are ready to crown the Seahawks and the Redskins as NFC champions because they are on a winning streak going into the playoffs. Many writers and so-called experts are all about the recent trends, don’t really do research, and just go with what’s popular. It’s very true that the past two years, the wild card teams have squeaked into the playoffs and gone on to win the Super Bowl, the Packers in 2010 and the Giants in 2011. Both teams were 6th seeds and that has become a very popular theme because that’s what’s in vogue. The Giants were a wild card in 2007 and went on to beat the mighty undefeated Patriots. The Steelers were a wild card in 2005 and they beat a stacked AFC that year.
No More Arm Tackles DeCoud (AJC)
ESPN even went as far as to develop a stat that read “of the 36 most recent playoff teams, 11 that have been on a 5+ game winning streak have gone to the Super Bowl. 5 of those have won the Super Bowl. The Broncos, Redskins, and Seahawks are on a 5+ game winning streak.” What kind of stat is that? And furthermore, that comes to a whopping 30% of success on getting to the Super Bowl and 14% winning it. They might as well done a statistic on cleat colors and playoff success. Talk about curtailing statistics to fit your biased opinion.
Yes, the past two years and 3 out of 4 have favored the team that has momentum, a fairly mythical construction all on it’s own, but statistics are past numbers for a reason. If the same researchers go back a little further (most statisticians averse to determine a “trend” less than decade), they would see a fairly inconclusive analysis. A list of the past 10 seasons:
Season — Super Bowl Winner — Seed
2011 – Giants – #4 Division Champ
2010 – Packers – #6 Wild Card
2009 – Saints – #1 Bye
2008 – Steelers – #2 Bye
2007 – Giants – #5 Wild Card
2006 – Colts – #3 Division Champ
2005 – Steelers – #6 Wild Card
2004 – Patriots – #2 Bye
2003 – Patriots – #1 Bye
2002 – Bucs – #2 Bye
So there you have the list of the past 10 Super Bowl winners. Even though recent history says that getting hot at the right time, barely getting in the playoffs as a wildcard, or being on a winning streak guarantees you a Super Bowl or playoff success, the fact is that it’s a fairly insignificant probability over the last 10 years, despite what’s “popular” among the media elite. The last 10 years have seen 50% of teams with a bye win the Super Bowl, 30% Wild Cards, and 20% as Division Champs. The point is not to say that momentum can’t play a part in playing well in the playoffs and ultimately winning the Super Bowl, but it’s simply meant to bust all the media elite’s strict adherence to “playing well close to the playoffs guarantees playoff success” and thereby denigrating or outright ignoring the Falcons. After all, the Saints actually lost 3 games in a row before winning the whole thing.
Underdogs Again
The Falcons and everyone associated with their organization won’t lack for any motivation when they tee it up next Sunday at 1 pm. To be fair, the Falcons losing all 3 of their playoff games, with the last two being embarrassing blowouts, have given most “media elite experts” every reason to doubt the Falcons. Unfortunately for Falcons fans, that is the painful truth. However, the experts have taken that meme and ran away with it, all the way back since April and continuing on to mini-camp until now. It seems that it’s a “anyone but the Falcons” in the NFC mantra for most that know everything there is to know about football and the NFL (too bad we can’t use these experts to solve world hunger, eh?).
Spoon's Big Arena (AJC)
The Seahawks and the Redskins are everyone’s darlings because A) they’re not the Falcons and B) they’re the wild cards who are on a winning streak (see point above). The Packers and Niners are the traditional teams who have been their favorites all year, even if they’re not the flavor-of-the-week wild cards, but of course they’re always the backups. Maybe the only other team close to the Falcons are the Vikings, but they have MVP, All-World running back Adrian Peterson and that’s definitely a feel-good storyline better than those terrible Falcons.
Of course this will come across as whiny to any non-Falcon fans, and it might be a little bit, but Falcons fans are sick and tired of hearing it and it’s impossible to imagine how much the players are. Truth be told, the Falcons, particularly Mike Smith, haven’t helped themselves at all. Todd McClure said something to the effect of flying under the radar all the way to February. Looks like he’s going to get his wish. They say that bulletin board material can only go so far and doesn’t win games in the end, but it surely can’t help to add in a little extra fire when the game kicks off or when things get tough.
Which Offense Will Show Up?
The Falcons jekyll and hyde offense surely has some fans worried about next Sunday. To be fair, the Falcons have done a much better job overall with consistency than year’s past, including some really nice offensive explosions like the Chiefs, Eagles, and Giants game. However, they’ve also put up some big clunkers as well. It’s hard to imagine the Birds coming out as flat as they did the previous two years in the playoffs, but some bad offensive outputs may have fans a little nervous. While looking dominant at times, they’ve also looked downright anemic as well, such as they did vs. the Raiders, Cardinals, the Saints second game, and the Panthers second game, not to mention the most recent game vs. the Bucs. Something that may ease fans concerns a bit is the fact that their very best offensive game came against the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants and a darn good one came a week later vs. Detroit that saw them go up 21-3 before they started sitting on their lead. The players keep saying it’s a different attitude and feeling than year’s past and here’s hoping that the clunker offense is gone for good.
Will the Giants/Broncos or the Panthers/Bucs Defense Show Up?
Although being a touch more consistent than the offense, the defense has had it’s ups and downs as well. They came to be known as the elite QB killing defense that saw them intercept the Manning brothers and Drew Brees 10 times, not to mention shutting down Phillip Rivers, Michael Vick, and Tony Romo. But they’ve also had their own fair share of issues at times, especially in the run game. Cam Newton had his way both times with the Falcons defense, especially the second time in Charlotte which was arguably one of the best games of his career. Josh Freeman looked like Superman in the last game and Drew Brees put up plenty of points the first time in New Orleans.
Asante's Leadership Will Be Key (AJC)
They’ve generally done pretty good against the pass, but they’ve had major issues at stopping the run at times. They stopped Doug Martin the first time, only to get shredded the second. Alfred Morris ran for over 100 yards, even though he was held to to no TDs. Cam Newton and the Panthers running backs racked up yards like it was going out of style and they even had major problems with Saints running backs, namely Chris Ivory. Although they’ve done light years better in the takeaway department, they’ve only marginally better in the pass rush. The Falcons defense will have their hands full which ever team they play first, be it Russell Wilson / Marshawn Lynch, Robert Griffin III / Alfred Morris, or Christian Ponder / Adrian Peterson. Birds fans are hoping that the Magician Mike Nolan has saved his best for last.
Bird Cager’s Playoff Turn
1) Playoff Push — Has the time finally come to bust the playoff hump once and for all?
2) What things are you looking for as the Falcons come out next Sunday?
3) Do you genuinely feel that lessons have been learned by Mike Smith?
4) What to make of momentum: reality or myth?
5) Nervous, anxious, or confident for playoff game?
6) Are Falcons biggest underdogs in all of playoffs?
7) Which offense do you think will show up: stellar or clunker?
8.) Will the defense be ready to stop the run?
9) Preference of who to play on Sunday?
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670 comments Add your comment
Mike
January 6th, 2013
9:21 pm
Exactly JB. This year you can not point to any one team and say that is the team to beat. I know everyone has all but handed Denver Ghe Limbardi, but really how is their résumé any more impressive than Atlanta’s? Houston was the team then got beat down by New England. But then the Patriots were the team, until being dethroned by San Fran. Then San Fran was demoralized by the flavor of the week Seattle. Ofcourse NY Giants came to the Dome being the flavor of the week. To sum it up Atlanta is not going to get or be given respect. If they want it, or deserve it, then go out and take it!
D3
January 6th, 2013
9:23 pm
Couple of notes before hitting the hay………….
We quibble from time to time about Smitty and Dimitroff and some of the mistakes they’ve made, but ignore the media elites and truly look at the respect our organization gets from the people who own teams, run teams, coach, and play on actual NFL franchises: If you’re a good organization, you will have good people hired away. Since Smith/Dimitroff Era:
1) Bill Musgrave – hired to be Vikings OC
2) Mike Mularkey – hired to be Jags head coach (I know, but it did actually happen)
3) Les Snead – hired to be Rams GM
4) Dave Caldwell sounds like he’ll be Jags new GM
5) Koetter, Nolan, Armstrong all getting interviews for head coaching positions
6) Bob Bratkowski – from QB Coach to Jags OC
7) Even guys we let go (BVG, Paul Boudreau) were immediately snapped up
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/1/5/3838200/report-jaguars-may-soon-hire-falcon-director-of-player-personnel-dave
We may get dissed by the media elite, MTV Sports, ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, NFL Propaganda Network crowd, but the people who actually are a part of franchises do respect us as an organization.
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
9:31 pm
D, everyone wants to be a consistent winner. What use is it winning a playoff game or two, only to go into a 4-12 funk for the next 5 years….been there done that.
Also, we got beat by 3 potential HOF QBs who have 4 rings, and 6 SB appearances between them, Green bay beat Joe Webb, Seattle beat a 1 legged rookie QB, all playoff games are not created equal. BUT, in life, stuff like that evens out, perseverance is a better teacher than false success….lets hope Smitty learns, the football gods can be cruel.
D3
January 6th, 2013
9:31 pm
Finally…………..
IT’S TIME!
It’s time to win this effin game for the players
It’s time to win this game for Smitty
It’s time to win this game for us long-beleaguered fans
It’s time win this game for Blank
It’s time to win this game for TD
It’s time to win this game for the City of Atlanta (long everyone’s favorite sports city to hate)
It’s time to win this game for Gonzo and everything he’s done for our franchise
It’s time to win this game for Matt Ryan and everything he’s done for our franchise
It’s time to win this game for guys like Abe, Turner, McClure, and M-Pete on the downside of their careers
It’s time to win this game to shut these major league @sshole, clownshoe MTV Sports (ESPN), Entertainment Football Tonight (NFL N) crowd the eff up………..at least momentarily
It’s time to win this game to get this dadgum albatross off our back
It’s time for this team to work and prepare like they never have before, show up with an attitude, fight their hearts out, and stomp the ever-loving dog-doo out of everyone’s favorite darlings with an arrogant, sleazebag head coach, and a rookie QB
It’s time ladies and gentlemen!
NO EXCUSES!
We’re the better, more talented, more experienced, more motivated, better coached, better prepared team that’s playing at home!
I’m an absolute nervous wreck and this week is going to excruciatingly painful.
Have a good nite ‘all and see you tomorrow!
Big Lou
January 6th, 2013
9:40 pm
Mike
Doesn’t the home team get three points based? That would mean money isn’t on the Falcons.
D3
January 6th, 2013
9:40 pm
Last one…………
Here’s my key for Sunday (at least one of them):
We should absolutely destroy Seattle’s linebackers.
Julio, Roddy, Gonzo, HD vs. Leroy Hill, Bobby Wagner (rookie), KJ Wright (2nd year LB)
Sorry, these guys may be good, but it’s still a rookie and 2nd year player. Hill is good, but he’s no Clay Matthews or Ray Lewis.
Our gameplan should be almost identical to the Giants game: make a concerted effort to distribute the ball around to as many players as possible (little to no Turner and an early, heavy dose of Snelling, Quizz, and HD). That, IMO, was a big reason the Giants had no idea what hit them. Everyone will focus on Julio, Roddy, and Gonzo. Get those other guys involved early and their heads will be spinning.
Last thing: if we can dominate the best front 4 in the NFL (sorry, the MTV Sports crowd can’t change the statement after the Falcons dominated them), than we sure as the Hades can beat these chumps and Chris Clemons will either be out or dinged up.
Really gone this time. Nite ‘all!
D3
January 6th, 2013
9:43 pm
MB — D@mn good point my friend. Kurt Warner, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning and they get Joe Webb and a 1-legged QB. There’s really no excuses this time. It’s one thing to get beat by Aaron Rodgers at home, but it’s a hell of another to get beat by a rookie QB.
D3
January 6th, 2013
9:46 pm
And if you get upset at our organization sometimes, you could be a franchise that hired a pretty awful college coach (Bills hiring Doug Marrone) or an organization interviewing a Canadian Football League coach (Bears)………Yikes!
Jeez, I’m going to need sleeping pills this week.
JB Falcon
January 6th, 2013
9:52 pm
D3 sleep well my friend. The only problem I will have sleeping is because I cannot wait to destroy the ‘Hawks and move on.
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
9:53 pm
Yea, we have a good system, that is what every NFL team strives for, hell, what is what we strived for over the past 40 years. It is not like our HC and GM are drunk in the Airport and see Denver pick up Peyton Manning and decide to got after Tim Tebow.
That said, we are out of excuses, we are playing a team with a Rookie QB, flying out to the WC tonight only board another 6 hour flight BACK to Atlanta in a couple of days. If we can’t beat these guys, it is time to really as the hard questions.
Mike
January 6th, 2013
10:03 pm
D-3 it’s time to win for those kids who believed in Bartkowski, Jenkins, Jackson, Francis, Miller, Andrews, and Cain… And watched them lose a heartbreaker to Dallas. And stick by them through miserable years, except for flashes of brilliance from Sanders, Rison, Mathis, Tuggle, Vick, and Brooking to name a few. Yeah there were play offs here and there. Yes a magical year in 98 when we were happy to be the 2nd best team in the land. Now we have gotten a dose of being a perennial power, which is great… But that 8 year old that Drew Pearson left crying in Jan 1981 still lives in me and many others. This city is just as good as Boston, New York, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and all the others who have had the privilege of lining the streets and celebrating their heroes. I want this for Gonzo, Ryan, Roddy,Abe, Peterson, and the young guys Julio, Spoon, Moore, Quiz, And DeCoud. This city has waited years for this… and for the first time in 32 years I believe we have the group to get it done. I know there is that 8 year old out there with his Roddy or Ryan Jersey… And the Gonzo poster above his bed that deserves not to be let down. New Orleans fans were able to exorcize their demons 3 years ago… Now why not us? I will be there Sunday pouring out my heart and soul to this team that beyond my God and family I can not find anything I love more. Time to believe, and maybe if we believe our team will give us something to keep believing! Thanks for a great year birds.
GO FALCONS!!!!!
darrell starks
January 6th, 2013
10:04 pm
Showtime Babby
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
January 6th, 2013
10:09 pm
Man sometime i wish i was coaching Falcons, lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons has to play aggressive on Defense and Offense, JJ MUST TOUCH THE BALL ATLEAST 10 TIMES.
Reverse, deep ball, crossing pattern, or what ever get him the ball, the most explosive player on the team.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
10:11 pm
I liked the toss to JJ out of the I. He put up a few yards.
Mike
January 6th, 2013
10:13 pm
BL you are correct on a neutral field we would be a 1/2 point dog. But our resume through the season, rewarding us with home field gives us the advantage in the mind of the money. Actually do we really get 3 for being at home, according to the talking heads no one us afraid of coming here.
darrell starks
January 6th, 2013
10:17 pm
Spoon must blitz from inside and outside, let him attack at full throttle, Falcons can’t play like this a regular season game and be passive they must attack, specially our CB i hated when Dunta and Samuel play so far off from the WR they must play more jam up front with over top help from safety.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
10:21 pm
Darrell, not worried about what Nolan is cooking up. Really not concerned about anything other than stopping Lynch.
Mike
January 6th, 2013
10:30 pm
Darrell rest assured this is not a BVG called D so they will mix it up. You will have some cover 2, zone, straight up man. 4 man rush ( which with Seattles line won’t bring much) some LB and safety blitzes. Don’t be surprised if Owens is corner blitzing. LBs will definitely have their hands full covering Lynch, Z Miller, and keeping Wilson from escaping pressure and breaking long runs.
darrell starks
January 6th, 2013
10:37 pm
Mike Smith can be stubborn and show FAV. ? Why he continue to starte Turner instead of more heavy dose of Quizz and Snelling.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
January 6th, 2013
10:40 pm
Plus i like see more Travian Robertson at DT instead Peria Jerry who have been a big bust so far in his career.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!
DHunt
January 6th, 2013
11:03 pm
I’m actually happy that Seattle is coming to town. Can’t be no excuses for a let down game, like we already beat them so we know we can, or, their QB is hurt so the game should be easy. Seattle is the team everyone is saying is so hot. Seattle is the team everyone is saying has the beast mode RB. Seattle is the team with the hottest rookie QB, in a class of very hot rookie QB’s. Seattle is the team with the number 1 scoring defense. Seattle is the team that’s been throwing up big numbers on the scoreboard and has become the media darling Cinderfella story.
So be it. There’s no reason for the Falcons to think this game will be anything but a knock down drag out fight to the finish. And every single time they have faced that type of challenge this year, they have risen to the challenge. That’s what’s needed, most especially in this first playoff game.
So I’m hoping the media spends the next 6 days talking about how well Seattle is going to play, and how badly the Falcons will perform. I’ll be here to debunk the myths, but I hope the Falcons have someone on staff whose only job is to compile those video clips and put them on continuous playback feed on every television in the Branch. I want a bunch of angry birds with something to prove roaring out of that tunnel on Sunday, licking their chops for a Sea-chicken dinner.
Big Lou
January 6th, 2013
11:39 pm
“NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday night the Seahawks fear that defensive end Chris Clemons tore his ACL on the sloppy turf at FedEx Field in Sunday’s win. This is a big blow for Pete Carroll’s defense, which counts Clemons as its best pass-rusher. Matt Ryan has taken some abuse in the pocket this season, and the Falcons were going to have their hands full with Clemons and Bruce Irvin firing off the edges. The Seahawks have a strong defense even without Clemons, but his loss is considerable.”
DHunt
January 7th, 2013
1:03 am
Schultzie’s top advantages for Atlanta are that the Seahawks may be tired and the Seahawks may be a bit beat up. He pretends #2 is home field advantage, but then brings up the Green Bay loss to show that it really isn’t the advantage it might be for any other team. And of course the betting line shows that the Seahawks are actually one point better than the Falcons (unless of course the betting line is actually set up to spread the bets pretty much evenly over both teams so the bookies don’t risk losing money no matter who wins.) The Falcons other advantages? We’ve faced and beaten mobile QB’s (and elite QB’s) this season; and the Falcons’ receivers. I’m still trying to figure out what exactly he meant with advantage number five being related in some fashion to the run game, which he thinks Atlanta doesn’t have, and has dubious chances of stopping.
This vote of confidence from the hometown rags paid sports guru. Any wonder the rest of the country has already penciled in Seattle for the NFC championship game?
I got one for you Schultzie; ever think that the Falcons are simply the better team? Across the board Ryan has been the better QB, Falcons have the better passing game (got to give Lynch credit for having the better run game), Falcons defense is at least as good, and Linebacking corps is markedly better. Falcons are the better coached team. Never mind. That’s too much like looking at the reality of the situation, when fantasizing about another Falcons playoff loss is far more likely to get page views. carry on…
Chop Buster
January 7th, 2013
6:33 am
It’s time for the Falcons to bring the wood to this young Seattle team. From what I saw of Seattle’s “shutdown” corners, they won’t be able to handle Roddy, Tony, Julio, Harry, and Quizz or Snelling. If we go after this rookie QB like we did Peyton, Drew and Eli it will be a blowout.
trademark
January 7th, 2013
7:06 am
Oddsmakers have installed the Patriots as 10 point faves, the Broncos also (take that one! They beat one good team all year!). The Falcons? 1 point. 1. What an insult. What a load of crap. You want to know the LAST TEAM that came into Atlanta as only 1-point dogs? The Giants. I would LOVE to know how many New York fans are eating cat-food right now for betting the house on that BS.
Wings
January 7th, 2013
8:06 am
At least one writer is some what on the side of the Falcons. John Clayton has credibility as being objective.
Who is going to be in the NFC Championship Game? Even though home teams have controlled the opening rounds of the playoffs, I could see the Green Bay Packers getting a win in San Francisco and the Falcons finally breaking their home playoff problems. That would put the Packers against the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. That’s fitting. Rodgers and Ryan were the top two quarterbacks in the NFC in my opinion. It’s a quarterback-driven league. Don’t count out the Packers and Rodgers getting to the Super Bowl.
Zoomie
January 7th, 2013
8:49 am
Well, that was an interesting NFC game. It’s a little difficult to make much out of it, because Washington’s QB played with one leg tied behind his back. It was sickening to watch RG3 flounder around, obviously unable to perform. I lost a lot of respect for Shanahan.
Don’t know what everybody’s salivating about. The Seahawks’ O looked pretty beatable. Their defense looked stout, but a good part of that was due to the inept Washington O. Even so, Washington had ample opportunities to make plays if only they’d fielded a serviceable QB. ( I can’t believe that organization was willing to risk RG3’s health like that.)
This was the first time this year I’ve been able to watch the Seahawks from start to finish. I don’t see a whole lot from a football perspective to comment on or be concerned about. They almost seemed one-dimensional, with Lynch and the occasional escape of Wilson. The thing that stands out to me is what a bunch of thugs they made themselves out to be yesterday, and the refs let them get away with it. Their defense played like a bunch of street rats.
CMS better have a sit-down with Roddy this week. Those Seattle DBs are just the kind that get RW84 to commit personal fouls. The officiating was horrendous; did someone bring back the scabs?
Don’t fall for the hype, folks. The Sea Chicks won a game against a one-legged QB. The total point spread was 10, even after Seattle recovered a fumble on Washington’s 3 yard line. The game was strongly in contention into the last four minutes of the game, and had it been properly officiated, could’ve been even more competitive.
Everyone’s getting boned-up over the prospect of a Cinderella wildcard team led by a rookie, third-round draft pick going on the road and destroying a seasoned team of accomplished veterans whose greatest claim to fame is consistent playoff chokes. I hope the talking heads get the most out of their remaining mileage this week, ’cause I’m pretty sure Cinderella’s wobbling home to Seattle in her rat-drawn pumpkin come Sunday evening.
Paddy O
January 7th, 2013
9:45 am
curious on the commentary of letting RG3 play. far too many think Shanahan gives a rats butt about his QB – wrong. Shanahan wants another SB ring, and won’t care about the body county. only reason I really root against the Skins – like RG3 – but his leg was about to fall off. he needs ligament replacement surgery. on LUCK – yeah, he really is the real deal – and as Big Lou stated, the Colts receivers – other than Wayne and even he dropped a couple – REALLY SUCK. HOwever, Luck does what Ryan does not – deceive the defense with his true intentions – does look offs naturally. Hope Matty Ice becomes more proficient at it – but, I guess if I had the Big 3 – I’d look for evidence that the primary is open too. Seattle is pretty darn good team. Should be an interesting game. I disagree with LRD – i’da rather play the Skins. Shanahan I understand much better than Carroll – Carroll is a lot more innovative.
Arno
January 7th, 2013
9:47 am
Shanahan taking the heat for RGIII’s injury. Having gone down with an ACL myself, I would put the blame on the physician, who would absolutely know that a weakened ligament is vulnerable. If that physician is too shy to speak up, then get another one!
Arno
January 7th, 2013
9:59 am
We have experience with teams that rely on running Qbs. For those teams, I guess it’s an exciting ride… while it lasts. RGIII is (was) the local hero. I’m glad Falcons didn’t go that direction. Running QBs take more time to develop as decision makers. They are WAY too ready to improvise with their feet. Maybe Cam will be the exception– but what is the likelihood he will get hurt before then? As far as Morris goes, I expect us to be disciplined with his read-option and scrambles. Reviewing my mental tapes though, I recall that designed QB runs have gashed us pretty good this year. Something to watch out for, anyway.
Paddy O
January 7th, 2013
10:03 am
arno – shanahan was quoted as saying James Andrews cleared RG3 to play – Andrews stated he had NOT examined RG3. Shanahan is a desperate goul. Personally, I’m glad the Colts are out – that emotional aura around them made me nervous. But, Luck has a very bright future. RG3 had one – but playing on a bad leg which he could have rested and possibly healed may have imperiled his future. Russell Wilson looks to me like the real deal and Carroll can draw up some innovative offenses – even when he had Tavaris. I thought the Raven/Colt game was pretty exciting – and loved the Ray Lewis finish. Tough when you realize your retirement ready. Time stops for no one.
Paddy O
January 7th, 2013
10:04 am
Cam is unique He is a mountain. However, the end of 2012 he started eliminating self induced turnovers. he does that, and he could be a force.
Arno
January 7th, 2013
10:06 am
Paddy O– Ouch. Sickening.
Chop Buster
January 7th, 2013
10:08 am
Arno (9:47) – The doctor publicly said he never examined RGIII or clear him to play. Shanahan lied about it and got caught last week.
Arno
January 7th, 2013
10:13 am
Chop- Got it. Makes me nauseous.
BobbyDawg
January 7th, 2013
10:21 am
How do you figure Shanahan justifies leaving RG3 in the game limping all over the field? I don’t think we’ll ever have to witness Smitty playing somebody in that shape, playoff game or not. I hope RG3 recovers and didn’t permanently damage his leg. I’m not worried about the upcoming game I think we’ve got this one in the bag. The next one hmmmm…………
Arno
January 7th, 2013
10:33 am
BobbyDawg– One doctor described the knee joint as trying to join a couple of two by fours end to end. It’s all on the ligaments. Simply planting your foot puts strain on them. RGIII started limping after planting his foot for a throw– then the ligament gave way when he tried to plant his foot to grab the bad hike. Oddly, just running forward is doable with a ruptured ligament. I guess Shanahan let RGIII run around a bit and thought he was okay. Shame.
BobbyDawg
January 7th, 2013
10:52 am
Arno — Shame is right. Shanahan is a disgrace to the Redskins for allowing RG3 to play a single down limping like that. I can only imagine how all the Falcon fans would feel if Smitty let any one of our players continue playing in that shape.
Geo
January 7th, 2013
11:51 am
Mike, @ 10:03 p.m., great post, and you nailed it for Falcon fans of longstanding vintage:
“D-3 it’s time to win for those kids who believed in Bartkowski, Jenkins, Jackson, Francis, Miller, Andrews, and Cain… And watched them lose a heartbreaker to Dallas. And stick by them through miserable years…”
I want the Oline/gameplan to give Matt time so he can have a great playoff game. He’s had it rough the last couple of years. If that happens, we win. If Seattle blows the Oline back and they are up in his face, we’re in trouble. I hope Konz eats his Wheaties!
Paddy O
January 7th, 2013
12:13 pm
as I stated earlier, RG3 injury is eerily similar to what happened to Bo Jackson – not same injury but same vicious oddity. and, the team admin turning a blind eye. Raiders stated that Bo would be back in 2 weeks from the injury. Worse for RG3, he was allowed to play – even when IN GAME evidence showed he had a seriously damaged knee. RG3 looked funny/slow against Dallas. desperation of the boss makes the underlings pawns.
D3
January 7th, 2013
1:10 pm
Monday Greetings Cagers!
As I said last night, I’m going to be an emotional wreck all week and Sunday can’t get here fast enough. Really wish we were playing on Saturday again, but I guess they rotate it around or something. Put simply, we have to win. I’ve made a vow to myself not to go to the dark place, but out of self-preservation and sanity, I at least have to have a backup plan so I don’t climb to the top of my house and jump off if we don’t win. Obviously kidding a little, but not getting this one would about put me in the grave.
We’ve been saying since last night when Seattle won, there is simply no excuses whatsoever to win this game. Sure, we’ve been a little unlucky to draw Aaron Rodgers when he was on fire in 2011 and hit the peaking Giants in the Meadowlands last year, but even as good as Wilson is and the Seahawks are playing well, can you really see them getting to or even winning the Super Bowl if they beat us? I’m sorry, but I can’t and Chris Clemons is out. Aaron Rodgers may be on his way to Canton someday and Eli’s two rings likely puts him there too. Same goes for Kurt Warner who we played on the road with Ryan as a rookie and Smitty in his first year.
There are unequivocally no excuses to drop this one. I’ve said this many times, as many of you have as well, that once we get this first one, I firmly believe that we will win the NFC Championship. This first ones all about getting that monkey off your back.
Marshawn Lynch is good. OK, so we haven’t played well against good running backs this year?
Russell Wilson is a very good and mobile QB who also happens to be a rookie. OK, we haven’t played (S)Cam Newton twice, RG3, Michael Vick, Tony Romo, and Josh Freeman, who all are plenty mobile all on their own?
They have big defensive backs. OK, so we didn’t play well against arguably one of the best tandems in the NFL in Philly (Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie), the Cowboys, Broncos, and others?
They have a great front 4 (minus Chris Clemons, their best pass rusher). Remember that little Giants game where everyone in the NFL agreed that they had the best front four? Think that was like 34-0 or something like that.
Sorry, not scared by the likes of Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, and Zach Miller either.
Our receivers and Gonzo should have a field day on their extremely young LB corps.
Point is…………IT’S TIME TO GET IT DONE!!!!!!
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
1:53 pm
D3
Great post at 1:10, but I must disagree on your premise of:
“They have big defensive backs. OK, so we didn’t play well against arguably one of the best tandems in the NFL in Philly (Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie), the Cowboys, Broncos, and others?
They have a great front 4 (minus Chris Clemons, their best pass rusher). Remember that little Giants game where everyone in the NFL agreed that they had the best front four? Think that was like 34-0 or something like that.”
I think the Falcons will win, but these comments right here are a little homer-ish and sets you up for disappointment. The Seahawks have a good defensive line AND corners, where the Giants had a weak secondary/good line. I am not saying the Falcons cannot score on them, but they are easily the best defensive team we have faced this year. It’s going to be up to DK and Smith to come up with a game-plan to maximize our strengths.
I do agree the the loss of Clemons will hurt Seattle and not only help the passing, but open up the run game for the Falcons, since their draft pick(forgot his name) is very slow on sweep/screen plays–Clemons was great on the run, too. The Redskins took advantage of this and I expect the Falcons to do the same.
To me, the key to this game is not our offense, but the defense–one of the worst in the league in rush defense. If we can make the Seahawks one-dimensional and force Wilson to beat us himself… he will make mistakes, which will help the momentum in our favor. He is still a rookie, so he will have a stinker in the playoffs and it’s up to the defense/Mike Nolan to help him out.
We have to get off the field on third down! I just feel that the Falcon’s defense will be the reason why this game is a win or loss, just because they will have to carry the offense for this game. I am thinking of the realistic score being 24-17(Falcons win).
I was thinking they would have blown out the Redskins easily, but the Seahawks will make this game interesting. If the Falcons stop the run, the Seahawks will lose easily and it might become a blowout… but I am not holding my breath on that.
LRD
January 7th, 2013
1:56 pm
Keys for the game. Having Abe and Beertruck etc to contain. If Seattle wants to run an option, do what everyone should do and hit the QB every time. Not up for intentionally injuring anyone (hello Aints) but the speed of Beertruck will be part of the solution to the mobile QB problem.
Plus when we get a hand on the QB ( Peters, Babs) you gotta bring the man down. If he can break out of a sack, then our DBs breakdown in coverage.
Dent will need to be a tackling machine on Lynch.
Moore is back, and he will be anxious for being a guided missile on a blitz to take down Wilson. Ane it will be crazy not for Nolan to let him loose every now and then.
Dunta needs to keep his head on straight and bring the wood without penalty or knocking himself out again.
Ryan needs to come out in the no huddle and lets wear down the D.
Roddy needs to keep his mouth shut and prove it on the field.
and we need to win one for the Gonz…. (ha)
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
1:56 pm
Blog monster….
LRD
January 7th, 2013
2:38 pm
Smitty interview going on right now.. and Abe back practice on Weds, Moore is def back… so some good news there.
D3
January 7th, 2013
2:53 pm
Big Lou — So top to bottom this is the best defensive team that we’ve faced this year? As a unit, you’re probably right. But their front four is not as good as the Giants wonder-team of JPP, Osi, and Tuck. I didn’t say that the Giants secondary was good, but I have a hard time believing that the Seahawks have the best secondary in the league. Yes, Earl Thomas is a stud, but Sherman and Browner are better than any corner tandem we’ve faced? Not to mention their LB corps. If our offense can’t exploit their LB corps, than we don’t deserve to win. The Redskins marched right down the field on the Seahawks with an injured RG3.
D3
January 7th, 2013
3:06 pm
Good article by Pat Y……….
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43914/falcons-need-to-blitz-russell-wilson
I hope Nolan is saving his very best for last and that would be impressive considering we’ve shut down both Manning Brothers, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, RG3, Michael Vick, and Tony Romo.
LRD
January 7th, 2013
3:20 pm
D3, hoping he is not saving his best for last.. hoping to have him saving that for when we are in New Orleans in Feb…
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
3:26 pm
D3
Yeah, I was talking about as a unit. They have went against Rodgers/Brady and held them to a small amount of points, as well. And no matter what the homers say, they are great QBs. So, why would the Falcons be different? The most points scored on the Seahawks was 28 points by the Lions, I believe.
I’m not saying we won’t score, but to be dismissive of the Seahawks is also hubris. They are a good football team.
Also, they(Redskins) marched down the field with an effective running game, which we don’t have. See what happened to Cousins after they were forced to pass? That’s why our defense is got to have a great game; to prevent the Falcons to go pure passing.
Coop
January 7th, 2013
4:11 pm
Afternoon Cage – Well, here we are…
this is the week we have all waited for since the 24-2 embarassment. Regardless of your Cage ilk (pollyanna, skeptic, realist, or homer), don’t kid yourself… every single true Cager has waited for this week for a long, hard year. Furtehr, I submit most of us have waited for it fearfully. I certainly have.
This is where we wanted to be… and at the same time, this is where we dread being. Until we win this first game, we may never TRULY believe in our hearts that this team can be what we hope they can be.
I went into the weekend hoping for the Vikes and Skins. I wanted the easiest path to the big game. I’ve always wanted my teams to get the most favorable draws. But I can honestly say, that for the first time, I no longer feel that way. It happened when RGIII blew up his hampered knee. when I realized, yep it’s Seattle, then probably Green Bay then the Broncos or Patriots…
And said to myself… Good! D@manit! GOOD!
I’m tired of hoping and wishing and praying and being fearful of this team ripping my heart out and using it as sausuge casing.
It is TIME! I want every hot, explosive, better, stronger, highly ranked, statistically superior, media lovefest team there is. I wanted the rookie of the year, OPY, DPY, every hall of fame QB there is. Bring the entire arsenal against this team…
I want to win. I want Mike Smith to get his troops ready and I want them to finally unleash holy hell on every team tey face. I want and epic run through a championship that will stun ESPN so badly they’ll have to air X – Games reruns while they regroup.
In short, I’m sick of it and I’m not taking it anymore. So I fear no team and I shirk no challenge.
There are no more excuses… JUST eFFING WIN!