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
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
4:22 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2013/01/07/atlanta-falcons-john-abraham-to-return-to-practice-on-wednesday/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
As LRD stated, the predator is back!
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
4:30 pm
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/media-lounge/videos/Second-Season-Starts/0f70505b-700e-45ff-aca9-c82d6fda520e
Mike Smith interview for the playoff week in preparation for the seahawks.
LRD
January 7th, 2013
4:40 pm
COOP.. 2nd the comments. We believe, but in the back parts of ones brain is that little dark area that keeps trying to have me remember sitting in the dome watching the debacle against GB.. and that little dark area needs to be removed.
I would prefer a win this sunday instead of the frontal lobotomy…
BIG DOG
January 7th, 2013
6:39 pm
Falcons can not play straight up in the playoffs specially with homefield advantage in the playoffs.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
JJ
January 7th, 2013
6:42 pm
Coop, 3rd on your post, ITS TIME!!!
Birdman
January 7th, 2013
6:56 pm
Man it just kills me how much these guy’s on espn hate the Falcons.
GO FALCONS !!!!!!!
falcon21
January 7th, 2013
7:04 pm
Same with NFL Network Birdman.
Matty Bicep
January 7th, 2013
7:09 pm
Watching the games yesterday just confirmed what I have always thought, playoff football is just still just football.
I watched all 4 games, all 4 winners played rather uninspired. I did not see boldness in Houston coaching kicking one red zone field goal after the next, I did not see a superior scheme in Joe Flacco closing his eyes and heaving the ball as far as he could. I did not see Green Bay having to overcome the greatness of Joe Webb. I did not see a hot team in Seattle refusing to lose…..except for Anquan Bolden, the Ravens pass rush and ironically enough, Andrew Luck, I just saw the same knock down, drag out, last man standing football I have seen for 16 weeks.
My point? Smitty and the Falcons just needs to do what they do, be themselves, there is a reason we are the number #1 seed, I hope they don’t think they have to change something to win a game.
I think Gonzo is gonna eat up those rookie linebackers…I am taking the point.
Matty Bicep
January 7th, 2013
7:13 pm
I go back and look, and Seattle played 3 good passing offenses, Green Bay, New England, and Detroit. Green Bay had real offensive line issues. Detroit put up 28….The only game that really impressed me was the New England game….But it was not as impressive as what we did the the Giants.
But if we don’t win, it is because we have some mental block, all this talk has gotten into their heads.
falcon21
January 7th, 2013
7:43 pm
Is it Sunday yet? It’s gonna be a looong week!
Paddy O
January 7th, 2013
7:51 pm
well. I’m going to the game. very, very excited. our defense must play lights out fantastic. as stated last post, If we come out and run turner the first series I’ll personally go onto the field and slap Mike Smith silly. then, I’ll have to put a boot up Welcome Back’s tuckas. First Falcons game live. Hope we thrive!
falcon21
January 7th, 2013
7:57 pm
First game ever Paddy O? You will never want to see a game on tv again! Enjoy and get there early.
Arno
January 7th, 2013
8:02 pm
In their past five wins the Seahawks averaged 6 more minutes of possession than opponents. Worse case scenario, they eat up chunks of time against us like they did against WSH in the 2nd quarter. Cam had success against us doing just that– excruciatingly long possessions, mixing in designed QB runs along with his read-options. If the Seahawks do have success with the clock, it is all the more important that we do not waste possessions. If I see us trying to establish Turner, go three and out– I will beat D3 jumping off the roof of my house.
Big Lou
January 7th, 2013
8:30 pm
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43935/atlanta-falcons-quietly-set-records
Falcons least penalized team in NFL history with only 55.
Arno
Agree. That’s why I said our defensive performance is more important than our offense.
WR
January 7th, 2013
8:48 pm
Hate that I don’t get to post much, use to be in here all the time, but considering this economy and thus considering why I don’t get to post as much, I’m thankful. That being said, I do try to keep up with the cage, and I love my cage brethren, so 1st off, congrats to the Howling Owls in the Bird Cage FFL, you won in one of the most competitive seasons we have ever had.
On to the birds, are Giants fans everywhere or what, might sound off topic but these New Yorkers seem to multiply more then a Gremlin sprayed down with a water hose. But seriously, no matter what the Giants do, if they make the playoffs there a playoff favorite, which is completely the opposite of the Falcons. Use to be a time back in the day, that if the Falcons just made the playoffs, as a Falcons fan you were excited, that day has come and gone. The Falcons set out to raise their level of play, along with that they set out to raise fan expectations, mission accomplished, now reward us for the trust we have, now prove to us that all these so called naysayers are wrong, rise up means nothing if the birds are unwilling to do, I trust that they will.
Matty Bicep
January 7th, 2013
8:57 pm
LOL, read the 4tf-5th paragraph in. “Still, should be a good game because the Falcons play close games at home”
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8819333
Mike
January 7th, 2013
9:21 pm
BL- commenting on your 1:53 post. A couple of points you hit on that I think is huge is getting off the field and making Seattle one dimensional. Those two kind of go hand in hand. To do this I think three things need to happen. 1) Atlanta needs to play with a lead. Not saying they can’t come back, but maintaining a two score lead plays into the hands of our offense. 2) win on 1st down. If I were Pete Carroll I would want a game plan that would enable my team to creat 3-4 extended drives. Winning on 1st down creates 2nd and 3rd and longs which favors our defense. 3) keep the crowd in the game. This is on the team not to be vanilla or flat, and the crowd to be in the Dome , back in their seats after the 1/2, and bringing the noise. Would be nice to see some false starts and delay of games. To me there are three keys on offense 1) avoid negative plays… Runs for loss, sacks, and penalties. This will depend highly on how Konz holds up inside, along with player discipline, and play calling. 2) no turn overs. Seattle the last few games if the year made a living off turnovers. They weren’t putting up 50+ by accumulating 500 yards of offense. 3) convert short yardage opportunities. This ties in with #1 for defense. Inside the 10 convert TD’s not FG’s. I do like Gonzo against their LB’s.
One more point team as a whole… You are who you are. Don’t abandon your strengths to play to their weakness. If the run is there and you find success great, but you are a pass team 1st.
That being said…GO FALCONS!!! We know who the superior team is. Make that statement on the field!
DePlane
January 7th, 2013
9:41 pm
Let the voices of the naysayers become ragged and parched with their discounting of our beloved Falcons chances against the Seahawks. Let them extoll the virtues of the Sea-ducks, all puffed up and full of their own ego, with their makeup on and nary a hair out of place. Let the charlatans, prognosticators and pretenders amaze and astound the mobs with their hyperbole and flash. The Falcons will serve up a win for them to have with their dinner of humble pie and a side of crow.
falcon21
January 7th, 2013
10:00 pm
I heard today from the talking heads that Notre Dame can hang with an SEC team, LOL!
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
January 7th, 2013
10:06 pm
I would LOVE to snatch Barret Jones, Lacy in the draft.
Big Ray
January 7th, 2013
10:07 pm
I’ve been hearing about RG III’s effin’ leg all effin’ day. Feel bad for the kid. But his team went home.
Why we talkin’ about the “dead?”
Let’s talk about the living.
Coop’s 4:11 pm post….all I needed to hear.
The Time is NOW
January 7th, 2013
10:13 pm
Coop @ 4:11 – I’m with you brother!
Matty Bicep
January 7th, 2013
10:15 pm
Lacy looks like a young, quick, agile, MT33….if there is such a thing. But really, he is a load.
waynester
January 7th, 2013
10:41 pm
Ga vs. AL was the true National championship game. Tonight is just an exhibition game and an added victory lap for the Tide.
If you Google “must win” it sends you to the Falcons site*
*not really
Coop
January 7th, 2013
10:56 pm
I want Falcons to treat Hawks like Tide is treating Irish.
BTW, when we do, they’ll say Seattle never had a chance. They traveled to DC then to Atlanta… Blah, blah, bull sh!t.
Mike
January 7th, 2013
11:20 pm
Coop I am right there with you in reference to your 4:11 post. I have been like you. I believe this year unlike I have in years. I have that child like belief that I had back in 80 ( as a child if course). I am not sure that we got a tougher match up than we would have had the Skins won with a healthy RG3. I do not believe we are drawing a hot team this year marching to the SB. We are not facing a future HOF under center. We focus on the task at hand, beat these guys and go into next week listening to how we have no chance in the NFC Championship Game. I desperately want a rematch with Green Bay! I think we match up well with them and can beat them, Seattle is but an obstacle. I want GB, beat New England or Houston ( 2 out of the 3 teams the current regime has not beaten) and hoist the Lombardi in New Orleans of all places. I want the guys in the pads and helmets wearing red and black to want this like we do! I want them right now to know they are on the edge of greatness and embrace it for this city and these fans. These last few days have been great. Hearing stories from lifelong fans like mine. Some say this is it, win it or they are giving up. Think I have said that before, but I know I am to invested in this team to ever give up hope. All of you that will be at the dome come Sunday its time to bring it. I am sick of hearing no one is afraid of coming into Atlanta!
Coop
January 7th, 2013
11:51 pm
Mike – Amen! The dome better be rockin! I want to hear it from Mi Casa in San Antonio! You guys better blow out the Seattle O!
Big Ray
January 8th, 2013
12:00 am
Agree, Lacy looks like what Turner once was.
Difference is that Lacy is about 220-225 lbs. Turner has been 240+ most of his career. Listing him now at 247 only means he’s played at 255-260 more often than we are likely to know.
Lacy is lighter, but still very strong. Good RB.
DHunt
January 8th, 2013
12:52 am
So it begins. Still not sure how they will find a weeks worth of Seattle love and Falcons hate to fill up a 24 hour news cycle, but I’m guessing the Falcons/Seattle game will get far less press than the Packers/Niners since everyone is pretty much assuming the NFC championship is being played this Saturday in San Francisco. I want to thank the talking heads and various keyboard cowboys for all the bulletin board material they churn out this week for the Falcons.
They need to put Coop’s 4:11 post up on the wall at the Branch too. Had me just about ready to suit up and knock some Seahawks dong in the dirt!
I think this game turns on one Mr. William Moore. The Falcons need to stop the run. That means making sure Russell Wilson doesn’t gash us repeatedly to extend drives or make up for his poor receiving corps inability to get open. Spy him and blitz him. That’s where Willie Mo comes in. He will be the freshest Falcon on the field, and despite sitting out for several games, he will have had a good week’s worth of practice to get back in full game conditioning. We know Spoon is going to be at the top of his game. Keep Willie Mo close to the LOS, and trust out decent three cornerbacks and Decoud to hold down the Seattle receivers. Everybody else keep their eyes on Lynch and hit him hard every chance you get. In Nolan we trust, and I have no doubt he will have the defense well prepared for the limited offense that Seattle can muster.
Matt Ryan has had two (relative) clunkers in row in the playoffs and I cannot believe that he will come up short again. It’s time for his breakout game, and that means the offense will be humming right along. There’s not a bad play in the playbook (even Turner up the middle has it’s place), so as long as Matt takes the reins and picks apart the defense like we know he can, the Falcons should put plenty of points on the board.
trademark
January 8th, 2013
3:45 am
So, completely contrary to what the media idiots have been harping about it not being good having a bye week…..
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8821325/2013-nfl-playoffs-chris-clemons-seattle-seahawks-torn-acl-meniscus
Sooo…..they’re wrong. Again.
Wings
January 8th, 2013
6:09 am
Coop the best post of last year and this year at 4:11.
trademark
January 8th, 2013
9:05 am
Coop- Awesome post at 4:11, only problem….we STILL have to wait another five frikkin’ days! ARggg! Want to see it NOW!!!
OK, my four scenarios for after Sunday’s game:
1) The “Media are all Geniuses” scenario. Seattle wins a close one. They can continue on their Atlanta can’t win a Playoff game crap for as long as they want and pat themselves on the back for how lucky…er….smart they were for saying that all year. The Coaching staff does the typical CYA stuff and sticks to the media bytes. My personal least favorite scenario. But there it is. Chances of actually occurring: 35%
2)The “End of an Era” scenario. Seattle wins big. Mike Smith gone. Hate to say it, but at that point, there is no fixing it. Regular season counts for getting to the Playoffs. If you keep getting slaughtered in it, you might as well be the Chiefs, with an extra weeks worth of work. Ugh. Chances of actually occurring: 20%
3) The “HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHAHA!” scenario. The Falcons win big. We get to ask the media for the next couple of weeks and all next year “WTF YOU GOT TO SAY NOW A$$HOLES??!!!” My most fun scenario.Chances of actually occurring: 40%
4)The “Everyone Gets to be Happy” scenario. the Falcons win a close one. We can gloat at the media with the same phrase; “WTF YOU GOT TO SAY NOW A$$HOLES??!!!” , but they can use lame excuses like “Clemons was out, what would have happened if he was there?” or “Seattle was road-weary, on even terms they are really the better team”. Or also: “Wilson is the next elite QB, wait till next year, he won a playoff game in his rookie season (forgetting Flacco and Sanchez, of course, THAT would require them to THINK.) So they don’t have to come up with anything original, so they’re happy, too. Most likely scenario. Chances of actually occurring: 65%
Can’t wait to see this play out, HURRY UP SUNDAY!!
Big Lou
January 8th, 2013
10:04 am
The Seahawks had to sign another kicker, since their reliable one is going to be out–Clemons is out, too.
Big Lou
January 8th, 2013
10:13 am
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43939/good-omen-for-falcons
Suck a d!ck, Matt Ryan haters. He’s on a mission.
trademark
January 8th, 2013
10:51 am
Big Lou, couldn’t agree more….it’s been a long battle against the doubters, but he’s proving them all wrong as hell and short-sighted, blinded by (hatred?). Those are some monstrous stats, makes you really get your eyes open wide. Joins Brees as a record breaker in the 600+ attempt club, that’s legendary. Joins 13 others in the HISTORY of the game in the 300+ club. Elite is just the tip of the Ice(burg) here. He keeps this up, he’s talking HoF.
BirdsOfPrey
January 8th, 2013
11:17 am
Seattle went back to Seattle, That will be 7500 miles in a week on a plane. No way Seahawks win on Sunday. I will be at the game on Sunday and will be adding to the crowd noise. Its not like every other week where its just 3rd down getting the dome loud, its every down during the playoffs! Time to shake up Wilson and he is 0-3 in domes anyways. He cant travel and he cant play indoors! DOWN WITH THE ROOKIE HYPE BS!!!
BirdsOfPrey
January 8th, 2013
11:20 am
and one more thing……to all the analyst saying that Seattle has corners that will eat up our WRs, THAT IS NONSENSE!!! Sherman is a good corner but isn’t even a pro-bowler, and Browning is physical but average with coverage at best. Julio and Roddy are MONSTERS on the outside and I dare you to put a LB on Gonzo! My prediction–Falcons win 34-17
Arno
January 8th, 2013
11:37 am
Here is the myth they are smugly polishing in Seattle– “We are the tough guys.” http://seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2020081556_brewer08.html
They have no idea the Falcon powder keg they will be facing.
BIG DOG
January 8th, 2013
11:40 am
I would like see more double TE than our Fullback.
Falcons Fullback are useless, double TE give Matt Ryan more time for deep past it also help more in the running.
Cox is use less.
Gonzalez, Palmer, Coffman
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
trademark
January 8th, 2013
11:41 am
White and Jones are hardly the players to be out-physical-ed. In fact, I’d love it if Seattle tried it. they’d be minus two starting cornerbacks by the end of the first quarter.
D3
January 8th, 2013
11:41 am
trademark — Great post my friend. One of the scenarios is pretty spot on, which is if for some crazy @ss reason we get embarrassed again in the playoffs, I then would think that a change would be made. I know people called me crazy once before saying “why would you make a change and give the team to Nolan.” But why not? Smitty clearly ain’t getting it done and Nolan is even interviewing for other jobs. Can’t really see that happening, but you just never know.
Big Lou — Last night, my intent was not to denigrate the Seahawks. They really are a good football team. No joke. My only point is that they’re not necessarily as good as the media-elite clownshow make them out to be, which obviously they can’t help. It will be a battle, and if we can’t stop the run, it’s going to be bad.
darrell — You said this a day or so ago, but I totally agree: find any ways possible to get Julio Jones the ball 10 times. Reverse, quick screen, line up in backfield, …. hell, even quick snap him the ball, but get the dude the ball somehow.
DHunt — Good post. It really is hard to imagine Ryan having another bad performance, especially without Malarkey. He wasn’t doing “that” bad in GB until the pick 6. The Giants game he was petrified of throwing an INT and Malarkey was at his all-time worst. I agree on the spy as well. We shut down Vick, RG3, and Freeman, who are all mobile, as is Romo. It’s not like we haven’t seen a mobile QB before. Playing (S)Cam twice a year looks to actually help us right about now.
BIG DOG
January 8th, 2013
11:43 am
For get about 3 WR set if the Falcons are going win this game, the double TE is a must specially after watching Alabama play last night.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
January 8th, 2013
11:53 am
Falcons should use Mike Johnson at Fullback more specially on short yardge with Quizz in backfield, let stop throwing the football on shortyardge and hit people in the mouth.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Slant Pattern
January 8th, 2013
11:56 am
Good post Trademark and nice dig BL. I don’t think I can say anything that hasn’t been said yet, I’m hoping my weird “bird event” is truly a good portent for the future. I know the team is more than capable, time to just get it done.
BIG DOG
January 8th, 2013
11:57 am
Alabama game should have woke up Falcons Coaching staff on how 2 approach game and starte being big and physical upfront, specially on short yardge and lets stop throwing the ball with 2yards or less.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Slant Pattern
January 8th, 2013
12:08 pm
“One of the scenarios is pretty spot on, which is if for some crazy @ss reason we get embarrassed again in the playoffs, I then would think that a change would be made. I know people called me crazy once before saying “why would you make a change and give the team to Nolan.” But why not? Smitty clearly ain’t getting it done and Nolan is even interviewing for other jobs. Can’t really see that happening, but you just never know. ” – D3
IF we were to get ROFL-stomped yet again I don’t Smitty being safe as many suggest. He looked like a recently spanked child that was happy to have a job at last years presser. The crazy stuff he did in that last game could easily be seen as acts of desperation, someone that knows this is the last shot. I hate it that the last game reminded me of this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6da9U6Xjd8 ) with Smitty playing Lt. Dike. I don’t know if Nolan will play the part of Lt. Spiers that replaces Dike, but someone will have to if Smitty fails again.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
January 8th, 2013
12:21 pm
Coop, 1-7-2013 4:11pm post…priceless.
Like others, as a fan, your post should be carried to the Branch, inspiration for the Falcons, from a fan perspective.
Most of us in the cage, see through the ESPN’s…and other cesspool networks, prognosticators, for what they are, HATERS! We’ve accepted the medias narrative to a certain degree, about our team not winning in the playoffs in three tries, some of that is legitimate critique…but it’s different this year coming from the media, they are not only saying our birds will not advance in the playoffs, to a certain degree, they are not so subtle in telling us ( the city of Atlanta) not to believe, and HOPE.
Its getting personal now.They’ve moved from criticizing our team, to trying to brain-wash us (the fans). The Cincinnati Bengals, and their Coach Marvin Lewis, in his tenure there, are 0-4 in the playoffs, do you hear the same garbage directed at him, and that franchise? HELL NAW!
This team, the Falcons have to come out on FIRE, for their honor, and IMHO, ours (the fans). Play to win this game for the 8 year old boy that cried after a playoff loss several years ago, Play to win this game for respect in the National Football Leauge, Play to win this game for US (FANS).
We’ve had your backs when knowone else believed in yall, I think its time for this franchise (players) to push us aside, tell us, WE GOT THIS!
IMHO.
trademark
January 8th, 2013
12:25 pm
Arno – “Here is the myth they are smugly polishing in Seattle– “We are the tough guys.” http://seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2020081556_brewer08.html”
Typical homer article they wrote, like they are is SO much better physical shape and have SO much more willpower to out-muscle the other teams out there. Look, let’s get something very, very clear. The talent level in the NFL is not the same as it is in college. There are great players at every position, at top physical form, and there are a very few exceptions to that rule, they are the all-time greats, and there are a few of them playing in this league right now, and in this game.
You REALLY want to compare willpower Seattle? You REALLY think that we won’t be fighting for every blade of grass and every yard just as hard, or at times even harder than you? Try three years of total frustration. Now give that frustration the weapons that we have this year, and see what happens. (The Giants can explain it to you, if you can reach them at their respected houses-where we basically sent them.)
JB Falcon
January 8th, 2013
12:36 pm
It’s hard to find anything optimistic about the Falcons amongst the grand poo-pah experts but this one makes sense to me:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/pete-prisco/21511443/playoff-power-rankings-no-love-for-the-ravens
BIG DOG
January 8th, 2013
1:03 pm
Have any one notice every since MV7 left the media have been hating on Falcons, JUST DAM
When MV7 was with the Falcons ESPN the media and all sports station supported Falcons, now since what happen it’s like media are accusing Arthur Blanks and Falcons organization for throwing MV7 under the bus, SMH
MV7 CONVICTED HIM SELF NOT ATLANTA.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE