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
D3
January 8th, 2013
1:39 pm
SOMEBODY — Good points. I sure hope the team are as fired up as us fans are. I’m sure they are, but on the other hand sometimes pro athletes have a way of tuning stuff out. However, in this case, it’s been so widespread, so ridiculously over-the-top, and so intentional that it has to be impossible they aren’t as sick of hearing as we are.
JB — Thanks for the link. A straight-forward look at the truth that no one else admits.
BIG DOG — That was a thing of beauty last night, the Tide running right at their best defender and just man-handling them, but I’m afraid we don’t have the beef to get that done. Would love to draft Barrett Jones with first pick. Dude has won three National Titles at 3 positions: LT, RG. amd C. Either move Konz to center and plug Jones in at RG or vice versa.
Geo
January 8th, 2013
1:46 pm
The Seahawks are playing the Falcons, right? Yet the burning question on one segment of NFL Total Access last night (or whatever the show was called), was who is better, Seattle or San Fran? SMH.
Chop Buster
January 8th, 2013
2:04 pm
Somebody Needs To…(12:21) – 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!
They’re not talking about them because the Falcons beat up on their media darlings (Manning brothers and Brees). Wait until we make them look foolish once again on Sunday. They will blow right by our win just like they did when we beat the dust off the Giants–act like it never happened.
Mike
January 8th, 2013
2:36 pm
If Seattle is beat up, and road weary can anyone really make excuses? Is that not the point in playing for home field and earning a bye?
D3
January 8th, 2013
2:40 pm
Geo / Chop — I used to think back in the day that the NFL (Propraganda) Network wasn’t “quite” as bad as MTV Sports (ESPN), but I quickly found out that I was wrong. The ones who I’ve seen are most fair to the Birds are the Fox Guys (especially Jimmy) and even then all they gush over are the Packers, Rodgers, Brees, sAINTS, and Giants. I will say that Strahan has come around some on them it seems this year. Hell, Entertainment Sports Tonight (NBC) might be the worst of them all. Gag.
BirdsofPrey — Welcome! Let’s all hope so. It really is setting up pretty nice for us, including them losing Chris Clemons, travel, rookie QB, etc. Essentially, there is absolutely no excuse for us to lose this game.
D3
January 8th, 2013
2:46 pm
Good point and overall article by Schultz…….
The people who claim Mike Smith absolutely gets fired if the Falcons lose this game are wrong. So are the people who say Mike Smith absolutely would not get fired. Fact is, we don’t know. That’s one man’s decision, and regardless of what that one man, owner Arthur Blank, might say now, even he can’t imagine the difficulty of processing another defeat and where that would lead him. We’re talking about one of the most emotionally invested owners in sports.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2013/01/08/times-up-for-falcons-they-need-to-win-in-postseason-now/
Arno
January 8th, 2013
3:13 pm
Schultz speculates about the pressure out at Falconry Branch. Many of us Cagers were steadfast (insane) Falcons fans when Gonzalez was in diapers and Home Depot was a twinkle in Arthur’s eye. I am wondering how much of we fans are feeling translates to the pros. I personally have not felt so much riding on a Falcons game…. ever.
Chop Buster
January 8th, 2013
3:18 pm
D3 (2:40) – I’m learning to just tune them all out. Whether it’s just pure hatred for the Falcons I don’t know, but it’s evident they don’t want to give us our due for what we’ve accomplished. The measuring stick constantly moves for the Falcons…first no back to back winning seasons, now they can’t win in the playoffs, next it will be they can’t win the Superbowl (if we don’t win this year).
D3
January 8th, 2013
3:34 pm
It’s kind of amazing to me how pretty much anyone associated with the Falcons (fans, local sportswriters, etc) are basically all on the same page and saying it a different way: No Excuses / It’s Time to Effin’ Win!
Regarding the quote I just posted from Schultz, I think that’s pretty spot on. Natural thought says that Smitty gets another year based on the immense success that he’s had during the regular season, and there’s simply no denying it. Like 2nd or 3rd best record over last 5 years or something like that.
But once again, I look at this from Arthur Blank and the fans perspective: how in Hades are you going to try and sell tickets, get your fan base to believe once again, when he would have been tried, convicted, and sentenced in terms of the off-season? As bad as it’s been this year, can you possibly imagine how unbelievably terrible next year would be? Hell, I’d probably just stop watching football altogether and become a full-time soccer fan (not really, but dayum). We could go 16-0 and hear that we’re the worst team ever. And even those historical statistics I did pre-Giants game says that only 1 coach went 0-4 and never won one in their first 4 tries (Jim Mora Sr.).
Look, I am not being negative nellie one bit and do think that we’re going to win. All I am saying is that for those that think that keeping Smith is a lock, regardless of Sunday, I would say it’s damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Obviously, I’m not Arthur Blank, but if Smitty were to lose Sunday (given all the circumstances: rookie QB, wild card, heavily traveled and dinged up team), I would let Smitty go, promote Nolan, and try to keep almost every other aspect of the organization the same. Yes, that may sound crazy as batsh-t, but at least I would have something to “refresh” that 0-3 mantra and see if that would work before blowing the thing completely apart.
All this is null and void of course because our Birds will win.
D3
January 8th, 2013
3:58 pm
I personally have not felt so much riding on a Falcons game…. ever. — Arno
I haven’t been around the Birds as long as some of you all have, but my dad and all his friends have, and outside of the 1980 NFC Champ game and the 98 Super Bowl, you’re absolutely right. And I’ll just say that this game has MORE pressure because those years were seen as drops in the bucket as opposed to being a supposed consistent contender and having fantastic regular season success. Relatively, the most pressure-packed game in franchise history.
D3
January 8th, 2013
4:11 pm
Good article from Jenna Thomas @ The Falcoholic and nice refresher to stop thinking that we’re the only ones with the hatred towards the national media.
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/1/8/3851030/these-are-not-your-2008-2010-or-2011-falcons
Arno
January 8th, 2013
4:12 pm
D3– Rolland Lawrence. Need I say more? Still– while those days were intense, they were more like a new adventure. But this game is exactly as you say– “Relatively, the most pressure-packed game in franchise history.”
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
4:14 pm
Outside of the 1980 NFC Champ game and the 98 Super Bowl, you’re absolutely right.
Notice you talked about pressure being the most at the high points in our franchise history? It is called playing a relevant game.
But yet, here we are, playing our 4th relevant game in 5 years, not having to wait 18 FREAKING years for the next relevant game.
But the thing about relevant games is the butt hurt is just that much greater if you lose….
Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for….BUT, if we do get embarrassed again, Blank would be wise to keep Smitty around next season, get back in the playoff, then FIRE him before the playoff game next year….I would be OK with that.
SPS
January 8th, 2013
4:16 pm
I hope our players are feeling less pressure than me. It reminds me a little of 98. I was a total wreck the day of the Super Bowl. Had to get 3 showers from sweating so much. By the time the game started I was completely worn out – just slumped back in my tv chair and numb (the cervezas may have contributed).
Just got my new big screen tv set up on Saturday, fridge is stocked, and breakable objects have been moved out of reach. My wife plans to evacuate. I’m ready for this….
Big Lou
January 8th, 2013
5:07 pm
All I know is…
IF the Falcons lose to a rookie QB and a team that traveled to the east coast twice…
I won’t defend them. I will agree with the media for the rest of my fan life. They will deserve all the disrespect that would come.
BUT…
I think Matt Ryan’s will can bring this game to victory. If the Falcons lose.. it’s gonna be on gameplanning/coaching/offensive line.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
5:56 pm
This just feels like the year. After the Meltdown at the Meadowlands we came back and did exactly what we needed to do….
….We came back and got the #1 seed.
….We beat Brew Brees while he talked about being the NFC South champs,
….We hammered the Giants,
We have passed all the tests up to this point. Now, it just seems the football god will at least give us the opportunity to make up for the debacle at the dome, to slay all the ghosts of playoff pasts. I just feels right.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
5:57 pm
Falcons vs Green Bay 2. It just has to happen.
Mike
January 8th, 2013
6:47 pm
Actually 1980 the Falcons were eliminated by Dallas in the divisional round. Yes D-3 80 and 98 were drops in the bucket…especially 98, that year shocked the world. I agree that there is a lot riding on this game. I love the reference of. Gonzalez in diapers and Home Depot a twinkle in Aurthur’s eye. Gonzalez probably was out if diapers when I began this mostly painful journey as a Falcons fan. I would say probably riding a tri cycle. I remember my uncle throwing me the ball and I was always Alfred Jenkins. Anyone remember Joel Williams and Buddy Curry? Hopefully there are a ton of kids out there who can talk about how they remember Roddy, Julio, Matty Ice, the greatest tight end ever to play the game hoisting the Lombardi the year he retired. They can reminisce about Spoon, Abe, Asante, and William Moore. I know this team is on the verge of something special. I want it to be now. For a long time there has always been next year, well there will always be next year..but there is still today as well. I like what Aaron Rodgers said, this is when your legacy is made.
D3
January 8th, 2013
7:04 pm
Just got my new big screen tv set up on Saturday, fridge is stocked, and breakable objects have been moved out of reach. My wife plans to evacuate. I’m ready for this…. — SPS
Dude, that is one of the funniest d@mn things I’ve read in awhile. My mom, whose a huge Falcons fan and season ticket holder, asked me how I would act if we lost and I said, “just get the strait jacket ready.”
JB Falcon
January 8th, 2013
7:07 pm
Mike, I was in HS in ‘66 and remember when Tommy Nobis was our first draft pick. We have five generations of Falcon fans and it’s about time to drop the big reward so as the first generation does not die off before we finally win the SB. We are so close now it would be great to be a kid pulling for a SB winning team. It’s funny that year after year the fans remain loyal in spite of our history. I would like to have at least one SB so that we could hereafter strive to get another one. Talk about a forty six year old virgin!! The/we fans are getting a little restless.
falcon21
January 8th, 2013
7:38 pm
Mike, yes sir I remember Williams and Curry. I have met Curry many times, the last time was in Tucker a few years ago and he offered to talk to my baseball team. Super nice guy. Oh yeah, Bobby Butler was there also.
Greg Mendel
January 8th, 2013
7:44 pm
Does anybody know who the Seahawks are playing Sunday? All I can get from the media coverage is that they’re going to beat whatever team they’re playing, but it’s hard to tell. They may have already won Sunday’s game. Or have they won the Super Bowl already?
falcon21
January 8th, 2013
7:50 pm
Greg, all I have heard is we cannot stop the run and have no chance to win this game.
JB Falcon
January 8th, 2013
8:10 pm
Got a check in the mail today from Arthur Blank’s personal account. It was a refund for my ticket.
Big Ray
January 8th, 2013
8:15 pm
I won’t defend them. I will agree with the media for the rest of my fan life. They will deserve all the disrespect that would come.
Agreed in a way…but my reaction will be two-fold:
Extreme disgust and chagrin if we lose.
Looking immediately for changes made on the staff and/or the roster. We expect the roster changes. But I have a hard tme not seeing staff changes as well.
Is it just me or has the Mike Nolan interview stuff gone strangely quiet?
Big Ray
January 8th, 2013
8:17 pm
Falcons vs Green Bay 2. It just has to happen.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about…
D3
January 8th, 2013
8:24 pm
Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for….BUT, if we do get embarrassed again, Blank would be wise to keep Smitty around next season, get back in the playoff, then FIRE him before the playoff game next year….I would be OK with that. — MB
Man, that is hysterical. Fire him before the playoffs. “Thanks for your regular season success, but now that you’ve helped us get to the playoffs again, this is the end of the road for you!”
Mike — I wasn’t old enough to remember watching Bartkowski and the Boys back in ‘80, but I know I was watching them. The Falcons teams weren’t the best when I was old enough to remember, but I always loved the Birds. Jessie Tuggle, Bill Fralic, Mike Kenn, Scott Case, and many others. This is a special group and I sure hope they realize this opportunity and take advantage.
Greg — Hilarious. I am following my normal protocol and only reading AJC, you all’s posts, The Falcoholic, and occasionally peeking at Pat Y. He’s so up and down. Sometimes he’ll write a really good column, only to follow it up with a ridiculous slam-type article. He did say he thinks we’re going to win. I guess that’s one ESPN employee out of like 10,000.
Jeez, is it only Tuesday for chrissake?
D3
January 8th, 2013
8:30 pm
BR —- Seems like the Eagles are doing their due diligence and interviewing pretty much anybody they think would be a good candidate. You never know. If come out and light up these defenses in the playoffs, it might be sayonara Mr. Nolan. If we lose on Sunday, it should be laters to Smitty. Sorry, can’t bare the thought of another season where all we would hear is 0-4. As bad as it’s been this year, it would be multiplied exponentially next year if we made no changes.
JB / falcon21 — We gotta do it boys! Boom or Bust for Smitty on Sunday.
Going to try and hit the hay a little early because that will speed up the time until Sunday, right?
Nite ‘all and GO D@MN FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How awesome would it be if we just came out and destroyed them like the Giants? Normally, I’d never expect that in a million years, but we did do it to the defending SB Champs in the middle of a playoff push.
Mike
January 8th, 2013
8:59 pm
JB you have been there from the beginning. I have only heard stories of the pre Falcon era here when most were either Redskins or Cieboys fans… Or so I have been told.
Falcon 21- oh yeah Bobbie Butler, that is one I forgot. Thinking he was a safety.
D3 I was also a fan of Scott Case. I remember one year him and Brian Jordan were our safeties. I do not think anyone realized how good Brian Jordan was. Just happened to be a better baseball player.
Watching replay of Washington and Seattle now. Easier to take in more when emotions are not involved. Really think we are going to have to keep Lynch from getting a ton of yards after contact. If we do that, Seattle will have a very difficult time getting anything going. Some one said they think we should start Roberson over Jerry… I have agree. Jerry finds his way to the ball, but to often fails to complete a tackle. Also watching this I do not understand why Shanahan quit giving the ball to Morris. Also Washington receivers were often open, just RG3 was unable to plant and throw.
falcon21
January 8th, 2013
9:14 pm
Bobby Butler was a pretty good cornerback.
Wabe
January 8th, 2013
9:20 pm
Just counting down the days…
Sunday won’t get here quick enough.
The ‘experts’ have already pretty much broken the key matchups in this game down. Seahawks secondary vs. Atlanta’s receiving corp. Atlanta’s run defense vs. Seattle’s read option + Marshawn Lynch’s power running ability.
So, no need to get into all that.
Real quick though, did wanna mention how it’s important that these guys aren’t ‘playing not to lose’ this Sunday. With all the pressure on them, I’m sure that there will some inclination to be cautious on all fronts [for instance, Ryan possibly hold the ball longer for a safer throw]. But, it’ll be important to take this game to Seattle, not just sit back and hope they make more mistakes than we do. Ball security will be key, but, I don’t wanna see that Matt Ryan that has the look of a guy [Smitty] whispering in his ear about ball security. I want him to let it rip. Same goes for everybody else on both sides of the ball on their assignments. Let it rip. This game will not be won if we’re too timid and shy away from playing up to potential hoping that Seattle just doesn’t bring their A-game. I wanna see us match their physicality. I wanna hit them in the mouth early and often, and then force the rook that everybody’s salivating over be forced to beat us.
Fast start will be critical. We play better with a lead, and it’ll be important for us to be playing this game with one. Double digit lead would be better, because that will keep the building loud, and make it even more difficult for Seattle to mount much on offense – possibly get them to shy away from their running ways and make the rook throw it to beat us. If the game ever came to that, I’ll be ready to say checkmate. Because, no way do I see a rookie QB throwing the football with consistent success on a Mike Nolan defense.
Also curious to see how much no huddle we employ. I figure with Seattle being a team that likes to run the football, Smitty will be preaching about the time of possession battle, and as a result, will try to minimize the up tempo offense to keep the ball in our hands. Even though I think we’re no necessarily a ‘fast no huddle’ team, we tend to just line everybody up and then milk some clock at the line. Curious to see what’ll happen there.
I’ll leave it at that. Or actually, I’ll leave it at what’s become the ‘buzz phrase’ of the week.
Just eFFFin win.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:23 pm
I don’t know if Brian Jordan was a better baseball player, he was a hell of a football player too, but baseball is a better gig, bigger guaranteed contracts, it does not take the toll on your body, especially the way Jordan hit….no Brainer. It was Jordans choice; he was a stud at both sports.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:24 pm
Butler was pretty good, got burned a few inopportune times, but he was always on the island.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:26 pm
Am I not mistaken, but did we not hang 30 points, and 275 passing in Seattle last year with the same corner-backs….Roddy had a bid day if I remember correctly.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:28 pm
Yep, put 34 points on Seattle in 2010, and 30 last year.
falcon21
January 8th, 2013
9:31 pm
Talk about getting burned, can you say Bruce Pickins or Charles Dimrey? {sp}
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:33 pm
OK, last year, against the vaunted Seattle cornerbacks, this is what we did
Ryan, 28/42, 291 and a TD
JJ 11 catches, 145 yards
RW 6 for 78
TG 7 for 56
And even Tubby got into the act with 2 catches, 18 yards…How knew? Oh gawd, I hope nobody gets and ideas.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:35 pm
Dimry, lol… he never got within 10 yards of Jerry Rice.
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
9:36 pm
JJ had a field say against Seattle with the same exact cornerbacks….now, one was a rookie, but so was JJ, right?
JB Falcon
January 8th, 2013
9:45 pm
Looks like MB has taken over so I’m out. That would be “M”r “B”ig head.
Greg Mendel
January 8th, 2013
9:48 pm
If ESPN had been around in 1941, they’d have picked Italy to win WW2. After all, Julius Caesar had been an MVP and HOFer — and the Roman army had a heck of a winning tradition. In fact, the headline in 1945 would have been “ITALY UPSET!!!”
Matty Bicep
January 8th, 2013
10:02 pm
I feel ya Greg, but Peter King picked us to win the SB a few years back, and when he does that, and you go one and done, the media is gonna make you pay….You don’t make Peter King look bad…..
BUT, if we win, expect Mr. King to come out and say he knew we would win it all along, that just picked the wrong year.
Mike
January 8th, 2013
10:05 pm
Wabe I would use a ton of no huddle against a team coming off of a physical game and traveling 7k miles in a week. Not to mention a 1:00 game for a west coast team. I would keep those d-lineman down in their stances for 35-40 seconds a play, punch them in the mouth and not let them sub. But I will be in the seats not on the sideline, or in the booth.
trademark
January 9th, 2013
8:18 am
Looong post warning:
Ah, the wonders of NFL GamePass (and the benefit of a Bye Week), and I’ve watched the tape of the Seahawks, and come up with what I’d like to see (at least some of) on Sunday.
The good and the bad first; The bad, we already know, Seattle is pretty damned good, offensively, and more so defensively. The good, we match up with them pretty damned good also.
Strategies that I think will work (my two or three cents worth):
Special teams: No letups. Period. We cannot afford a freak play going the wrong way for us to decide our fate. There is little margin for these kinds of errors, and would pump up an excitable Seattle team. Keep their FG attempts nice and long. Their kicker will probably be in job interview mode, so he’ll impress with the short to medium stuff. If at all possible, make the big play ourselves, those can be game changers. Failing that, stay SOLID and execute. No letups, concentrate, and everything should be fine in this arena.
Offense: What has succeeded against the Seahawks this year is the medium to long pass. By average, 7-9 yards seems to be the goal here. So any medium range passing mixed in with a couple of field-stretchers should work. The bad news for us is, the teams that had the most success against the Seahawks this year mixed in a healthy dose of the run (St. Louis, San Francisco, Miami). My strategy, play action needs to be established. Seattle is going to be PUMPED during the first 2 quarters of this, and a bit after halftime. They will be aggressive and will have a tendency to over-pursue. Their rookie DE starting for Clemons got the bulk of his sacks against teams like Arizona and Green Bay, who if they had a fleet of Battleships and a couple of Pershing Missiles would still end up getting their QB sacked. EMPLOY THE NO-HUDDLE EARLY AND OFTEN, ESPECIALLY IF THE GAME PLAN IS STALLING, AND DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE 3rd QUARTER TO DO IT!!!! Keep them on the field and guessing. Let them expend their energy. We’ll see how pumped they are after going full-tilt for a couple of quarters. Do not abandon the run. Yeah, I said it. Shoot me. OK, I am NOT a big believer that Turner will suddenly have a huge game, however, we haven’t seen a single indicator that he will. And the LAST thing we need is to run him on first down to watch him get stuffed, because that will do the two worst things to us possible. 1) Put us in 2nd and 3rd and longs, and 2) Pump Seattle up even more. Maybe the answer here is a mish-mash, or employing Quizz in the screen (or even Snelling) AS the run play. The trick is to make them account for the RBs. Seattle blitzes to bring QB pressure, and they (luckily for us) blitz their safeties and exterior LBs. God help them if they don’t change that trend, because Ryan has adjusted to the blitz really, really well this year, and one-on-one coverage against Jones and White is asking to get torched. Their corners are not so hot in those situations, I’ve seen it. They are much more effective at the bump-and-run (physical) coverage, and waiting for the rush to disrupt the QBs rhythm. Here’s where the screen will kill them. A pump fake after establishing the screen as a threat should freeze the corners and safeties and let Jones or White loose very deep. Remember, they play excited and up-tempo. USE IT AGAINST THEM. Ideally, IF we are able to establish a two-score lead, we can run it down their throats, but please, don’t use this strategy until the game is at LEAST mid-way through the 4th. No let-up, attack as if it’s tied for at LEAST three quarters.
Defense: Fun. Blitz the P!ss out of Russell Wilson. He absolutely sucks against it. I’ve seen it. He’s a Rookie, smart, sure. But STILL a rookie. Make them try to beat us with his arm, and we will shut them all the way down. We don’t even have to compile sacks on him, just harass him, don’t let him set up. Do NOT bring the blitzes from the safeties or corners, though, THIS IS WHERE SEATTLE BURNS PEOPLE IN THE PASSING GAME. Their receivers are pretty good, but nothing special. They get special when people blitz their corners or safeties and leave them in one-on-one. Plus, with a SLIGHTLY delayed blitz by the LBs, we can anticipate the running lanes and spy Wilson. This should help in the run support, which will be crucial. Seattle is going to try to ram it down our throats with Lynch. But, I’m telling you, in the Seattle losses, Lynch had over 100 yards rushing in most of them, you HAVE to harass and confuse Wilson. Control Lynch to a degree, but Seattle only hums when Wilson is allowed to pass. Turnovers would be nice, it would allow us a luxury here, but we can’t count on them. We do all of these things, we hold them around 20 points, and we can score with that all day.
Intangibles: Let’s not kid ourselves. The more nervous team this week is Atlanta. They’ve waited since last year to play THIS game. OK, maybe the New Orelans and Giants games also, but mostly this one. We need to weather the energy and attitude that Seattle will bring, be patient and execute. Stay CALM and do what we do. The butterflies will come and go throughout the game for Atlanta. In the beginning, if we get a lead, if they do, it doesn’t matter, they’re coming. EXPECT THEM AND KEEP FOCUSED. We forged the steel of our attack and defense in the regular season, and we know how to do it, and it is STRONG. Even under pressure. RELAX. No dumb decisions on 4th down. If we are in our territory or near mid-field, please, PLEASE don’t be stupid and go for it if there is a choice in the matter. Halftime adjustments will be CRUCIAL in this one, because Seattle will be starting to get tired. They play up-tempo, and they are a bit beat up and too well-travelled in the past week to keep that up for 4 quarters against a team that is coming off a Bye Week. IF, for some reason, we are out-hussled for the entire game, I say fire the trainer. There would be absolutely no excuse for that. Stay cool if we get behind, don’t force it if it isn’t there, but PUT THE OFFENSE IN MATTY ICE’S HANDS EARLY IF IT STARTS GETTING BAD, THAT MEANS THE PLAN ISN’T WORKING; AND HE CAN IMPROVISE BETTER THAN ALMOST ANYONE IN THE NFL. IF we get the lead, PRESS IT. TAKE THEM WHERE THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO, WHERE THEY HAVE NO CHANCE TO BREATHE OR GET BACK INTO IT. GOING CONSERVATIVE IN THIS CASE MEANS WE’RE SATISFIED, AND I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WON’T BE SATISFIED UNTIL I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE “W” IS NOTCHED IN OUR BELT!!
All that being said, I like our match-ups. I think we have the advantage in the QB, TE, WR, LB, CB and K positions. They have it in RB and D-Line. The O-Lines are a wash. The Coaching and Motivation remains to be seen.
Later, Cage!!
GO FALCONS!!
trademark
January 9th, 2013
8:19 am
Blog monster just ate a long one, can you save it?
Chop Buster
January 9th, 2013
8:42 am
I’m ready to see the Falcons get it on. These guys are tired of hearing all the media chatter and will be dying to shut up the talking heads. I believe these guys will come out fired up just like when they played the Giants. If it’s one thing we all know, this team rises to the occasion when they feel they have something to play for or to prove a point.
Zoomie
January 9th, 2013
9:12 am
Had to come over here for shelter. The Seattle trolls found the other AJC blogs, and true-to-form for sea gulls, they’re over there flapping, squawking, and crapping all over the joint.
“. . . I don’t wanna see that Matt Ryan that has the look of a guy [Smitty] whispering in his ear about ball security. I want him to let it rip. Same goes for everybody else on both sides of the ball on their assignments. Let it rip.”
“On their assignments” is a foot-stomper. When Washington effectively clogged up all the holes in Seattle’s run zone, Lynch and Turbin gashed them by doing a 180 and shooting out the back side. The Falcons have to keep that back door closed. In addition, the read-option depends on O-line movement and a hard-crashing defense, or a defense that stays spread out. Washington shut down the read-option by hitting both the RB and the QB every time.
The Falcons D loves to play loose, all-out, and fly to the ball, but they’re going to have be disciplined and patient in this game. If the Falcons keep Wilson in the pocket and force him to throw, good things are going to happen for Atlanta. Hopefully, when watching that NFL Rewind, you noticed how uncomfortable Wilson was when he wasn’t able to unload the ball on his first read. Take away the run, don’t let them grind down the defense, and Seattle will lose this game.
Yeah, I read that article about how the Sea Gulls think they’re tougher than everybody else. Hubris. Looks like the young team is buying into their hype. Bad for them, good for us!
D3
January 9th, 2013
9:22 am
`Wednesday Greetings Cagers!
For goodness sake, is it just Wednesday?
A few quick items and I’ll be back a little later………..
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2013/01/08/atlanta-falcons-david-caldwell-named-jacksonvilles-general-manager/
Another one of our executives picked to be another General Manager. That makes two in two consecutive years. For all those that think TD is attached to the hip with Smitty, I have vehemently disagree. Coaching is one thing, and yes the Jags hired Malarkey, but when you’re top two assistants get raided in two consecutive years, that means you’re doing something right. Smitty’s top two: one got hired as a head coach (yeah, I don’t get it either) and the other is now out of a job (at least to my knowledge).
trademark
January 9th, 2013
9:26 am
Any luck on that blog monster eaten post D3?
Big Lou
January 9th, 2013
9:27 am
Zoomie
Great post! Also add to the fact that nobody believes in the Falcons really(except for John Clayton). Everyone is saying that the Falcons will lose and Stephen A Smith only picked them out of spite. If the Falcons can’t win this one, they’ll never win with this group. Everything is stacked in their favor for motivation:
-Nobody really believes in them(even our own journalists).
-Seahawks team is clearly arrogant and dismissive.
-0-3 record in the playoffs creates ‘pressure’ on Matt Ryan/Mike Smith. Well, pressure creates diamonds… which will be on their Superbowl rings if they silence the haters
-Asante was pretty much called washed up by Philly, and with the passing of his Mother… he will be ready to prove a point
-Matt Ryan/Mike Smith are called regular season warriors. With the combination of the new coordinators and MVP play(easily ignored by the media) by the Ice Man, I just think they are ready to prove a point.