How would you rate the Falcons’ performance?
Time for the report card on the Falcons’ effort Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Rate the team on the following four categories: offense, defense, special teams and coaching.
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72 comments Add your comment
Drifter
November 15th, 2009
3:57 pm
This was a game they had to win against a team that has been shaky at best..looks like another year of mediocrity.
RC35
November 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
It’s shocking that after today, both the Jaguars and Falcons have identical records. The Falcons are definitely underachieving and have pulled two disappearing acts against the Cowboys and Panthers.
georgiadawgg
November 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
Matt Ryan is a sack of dog manure.
IAmMe
November 15th, 2009
4:00 pm
Offense: Terrible QB
Special Teams: Terrible kicker. Elam is pure garbage
Coaching: someone should hide that red flag from Mike Smith
Chris
November 15th, 2009
4:00 pm
Matt Ryan never hits receivers in the numbers. It is either caught above their heads or it goes sailing over their heads into the safety’s hands
georgiadawgg
November 15th, 2009
4:02 pm
Matt Ice is a wanna be, and will never be.He has more interceptions than touchdowns.I hope that bus ticket was oneway and they keep going north.The whole team sucks.
georgiadawgg
November 15th, 2009
4:06 pm
Matty boy,you need to go back to Boston or where ever you are from.It looked to me like when the Falcons get a little sweaty they don’t want to play hard.They make me to want to puke.Same old Cons couldn’t win two in a row if there life depended on it.
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
MATTY ICE HAS …..MELTED…… TIME TOO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS!!!
WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT BACK UP FROM LOUISVILLE?
GET REAL FALCON’S RYAN’S INTERCEPTIONS COST-EM THE GAME.
Falconflyer
November 15th, 2009
4:14 pm
What’s up with Mike Smith and the red flag, a blind person could have seen that Matt didn’t make the first down. As usual the Falcons are going back to their old ways, I see Matt has picked up alot of bad habits from the rest of the team. They are all a bunch of babies. I have never seen the Falcons dig down deep. How about New Orleans they have come together as a team, maybe Atlanta needs to learn from them.
Barrington
November 15th, 2009
4:15 pm
When Matt Ryan was drafted by the Falcons, I was worried because he threw almost 20 interceptions his last season at Boston College. Now my worst fears for the Falcons are coming true. Ryan is not looking smooth in the pocket and he is hurting us right now. What lost the game was the Jason Elam missed kick and the interception by Ryan on the following possession. Ryan has definitely taken a step or two back this season.
jsmuga
November 15th, 2009
4:16 pm
I have always supported Matt Ryan but no more until he deserves it. He lost the game today…………..
I told you so
November 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
Time to get off of the bandwagon. When will falcon fans learn. Different year, coach, players. Same old Falcons. Falcons will NEVER win a Super Bowl. Maybe next year Falcons, AGAIN.
Michael Vick
November 15th, 2009
4:18 pm
Exacly, how much is Matt Ryan making? The whole team is a joke including the coach. So, for the fans that chipped in to pay Mike Smith’s fine, you should have kept your money and paid for a decent quarterback!
Michael Vick
November 15th, 2009
4:19 pm
Matt Ryan needs to stop shooting commercials and go somewhere and PRACTICE!
Mike
November 15th, 2009
4:21 pm
I blame Matt Ryan for everything that went wrong in this game. That’s how this place works, right?
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
4:22 pm
THE TWO YEAR CURSE LIVES!
ISN’T ELAM A VETERAN KICKER BROUGHT IN TO MAKE THE TOUGH KICKS IN CLUTCH SITUATIONS? WELL! MR. ELAM “YOU HAVE FAILED MISERABLY”
THANKS FOR PUTING THE TEAM ON LIFE SUPPORT!
Barrington
November 15th, 2009
4:25 pm
Another thing, I know we lost Harry Douglas for the season but no one has emerged as a presence in the Falcons slot receiver position. Michael Jenkins is average at best, we need someone other than White and Gonzalez to make plays in the passing game. I still think the Falcons have at least 3 guaranteed wins with Tampa Bay twice and Buffalo in the Dome. We have 4 against the Giants, Jets, Saints, and Eagles. If we don’t win at least 4 of those games, we probably won’t make the playoffs. However, I do see us winning at least 9 games which is a step forward, I guess.
Mike
November 15th, 2009
4:25 pm
You know you can turn the caps lock off, right? Your comments aren’t even witty or funny.
matty ice
November 15th, 2009
4:28 pm
I suck as a qb, I cost us the game today. I had a great rookie yr but am back to the reality now. I’m going to throw a whole of interceptions get use to it.. Thanks Mr Blank for all that money.
Barrington
November 15th, 2009
4:28 pm
I don’t want to here anyone blast the coordinators or coach Smith. I think they gave us a chance to win and mainly, Elam and Ryan didn’t execute. I hope this is just a moderate slump that Ryan’s is going through and not a permanent scarring of his potential.
Up next, the Giants coming off their bye week. Good Luck.
Micheal
November 15th, 2009
4:33 pm
You guys amaze me. Yes the Falcons blew this one. You need to understand that Matt Ryan is still young and this is only his 2nd year….our schedule is a lot tougher this year also. Trust me….I am sure that Steve Smith will rip the Falcons after this game and they will get back on track. Believe that Atlanta have back to back winning seasons. That should be our goal this year. Remember the injuries that we had with our defense this year guys. LIghten up! Go Falcons!
I told you so
November 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
The goal should be to win the Super Bowl, not having a winning season. Last year the Steelers had the toughest schedule and had injuries. They won the Super Bowl. Big Ben also won a Super Bowl in his 2nd year.
carey davis
November 15th, 2009
4:41 pm
The offensive line can’t get one yard on two downs and the defense can’t get a stop on third down and five that was the ball game , just not good enough on either line .
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
INJURIES ARE PART OF THE GAME. EVERY TEAM HAS INJURIES.
NO EXCUSES!
ALSO, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FALCON’S AIR ATTACK, RODDY WHITE AND THE REST?
Bobby Ice
November 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
You dont draft A Quarterback that threw over 20 ints in his senior year in college!!!
BIGGATLDAWG
November 15th, 2009
4:48 pm
MATT RYAN YOU ARE A FRAUD!!!!! You tricked us last year at the end of last year you started to fade. I told my friends and myself that you had never played that many games in one year. MATT RYAN ,you are worst than BRETT FAVRE in one of his worst years. It is time for to do like they did VINCE YOUNG, LET HIM WATCH FROM THE BENCH. TO FIND OUT WHAT MISTAKES HE KEEPS MAKING. IN DALLAS, NEW ORLEANS, AND CAROLINA HIS LATE TURNOVERS HAVE KILLED THE TEAM AND THE FALCONS DEFENSE.
matt choke ryan
November 15th, 2009
4:49 pm
I told you he was no good .. should have drafted flacco
Too Much Hype
November 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
This team is not ready to take on the elite in the NFL. Ryan is playing scared, the play calling has been dismal, Smith needs to take over the defensive playcalling (to get them to the level they played New Orleans), and special teams isn’t special at all. The OL is no good against the better defenses in the league and it’s showing. That’s why Matt is looking like Tony Graziani and Doug Johnson these past three to four games.
Singletary
November 15th, 2009
5:01 pm
If Elam is always going to shank it left, it’s the coach’s responsibility to 1/ move the offense further right on the field to set up the play and 2/ start looking at kickers during the draft. Ohio State has a good one. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s his fifth miss this year.
MR2 was high on every one of his passes today. My spouse is convinced that Ice has Jenkins on his fantasy team…
Ripped Again
November 15th, 2009
5:06 pm
Elam has to go !
AUG24
November 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
Bad day, today. Bad coaching (too aggresive) failed 2 point attempt (too early), red flag challenge (obvious no first down). Poor Special Teams, (Elam has had a terrible year!). Bad QB play (Ryan has looked awful the last 4 games. I haven’t lost faith in him but he needs to step up and be a leader.
AUG24
November 15th, 2009
5:08 pm
We gave Carolina this game. We had so many opportunities!
Lil Larry
November 15th, 2009
5:11 pm
Man I am so pissed about this game it’s not even funny. I guess we should have known the Panthers would play us like it’s the Superbowl…we’re in their division and lately been splitting games with them. With this defense we’re not going anywhere this year. Ryan is a mess and don’t trust his OL.
RB
November 15th, 2009
5:15 pm
The sad thing is, there is a lot of great talent coming out of college at the QB position in the upcoming years. It’s sad because Matt is locked in as the future of the falcons. I don’t think he will ever be a good QB because of his interception problem. It hurt him in college and will continue throughout his career. It is now in his head.
Courtney
November 15th, 2009
5:17 pm
Elam needs to be cut. Ryan needs to do less commercials. He is becoming Eli Manning. All Show and no Go.
lester
November 15th, 2009
5:22 pm
u falcon fans are sorry..im a huge panther fan, and i would take matt ryan over jake delhomme any day..u guys dot a franchise qb…by the way, we had to avenge our lost the falcons..go panthers
NO MORE FALCONS 4 ME!!!
November 15th, 2009
5:23 pm
POST MY COMMENT…STOP SCREENING ALL THE REAL TALK…YOU AFRAID OF REAL TALK!!!….
RYAN EXPOSED
November 15th, 2009
5:25 pm
THIS IS THE FALCONS W/O MICHEAL TURNER INFLUENCE….NOTHING!! SO LAST SEASON SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT MICHEAL TURNER AND NOT MATT RYAN!!!
NO MORE FALCONS 4 ME!!!
November 15th, 2009
5:28 pm
Okay, we all know what happened…the falcons lost….i said it before, Matt Ryan is an average QB (at best) I am so so tired of NFL analyst and falcon fans excusing Matt Ryan for his terrible play…but when Micheal Turner has 2-3 bad games there saying ‘replace’ him…if it wasent for The Burner the falcons would have lost the last 4 games in a row….Turner may have started slow but NO ONE!! should give all the praise to Ryan…
RYAN EXPOSED
November 15th, 2009
5:29 pm
IM LIKE THE OTHER BLOGGER WHO SAID THE NFL (AND ALL U.S SPORTS) IS PRE-DETERMINED LIKE WRESTLING TO KEEP US FROM FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES OF THE ‘REAL WORLD’…im done with this S#%T!!!!
Maryland FalconFan
November 15th, 2009
5:30 pm
This game was lost today because Matt Ryan was not throwing well. The question I have to ask is Matt Ryan OK? He is not planting and throwing like he knows how to. The high passes have been going on for the last three weeks. Matt if you are hurt tell the staff. The games speeds up if you aren’t comfortable and right now he does not look comfortable.
Frank Costanza
November 15th, 2009
5:35 pm
Why did Mike Smith ice his own kicker with the red flag?
BONE
November 15th, 2009
5:44 pm
Just so everybody knows:
In Vicks 2nd year (1st year as a full time starter): he threw 8 ints.
Matty Noodle has 12 ints already.
LMAO so if Vick sucks what does that make Matty Noodle who has way more weapons then Vick had. I’ll wait to hear the excuses LMAOOOOOOO
Ryan
November 15th, 2009
5:53 pm
Matt Ryan sucks, bring back Joey Harrington.
Ron
November 15th, 2009
5:59 pm
Matty ice is killing the falcons. He is not having the year he had last year, and without Turner, it will get worse.
gman
November 15th, 2009
5:59 pm
boy i dont know were to start so ill start at the top. we need a defensive coach
im really tired of the wishy washy defensive play calling. one week we blitz
the next week we dont. exactly who the hell are we. and what do we do. this
has to be confusing to the defensive players. vangore needs to go.
2. we need a kicker elam is washed up, denver had no problem getting rid of him
3. matt ryan looks like garbage, and why is this coaching staff looking over it
if hes playing like garbage its time to let him get more familiar with the bench,
i mean chris redman is very capable. i say bench him and stop making excuses.
fortunately there was an upside to this game and be it for me to say this. i just cant
get over the play of chris houston this week and last week, way to go chis.
Harpie
November 15th, 2009
6:06 pm
Matt Ryan played like crap today, but, for crying out loud, give him a break – he’s only a year out of college. The Falcons are lucky to have him – he’s going to be a great one. Elam showed weeks ago that he’s done -for: get a new field -goal kicker, Falcons! The defense sucked big -time!!!!
Hello
November 15th, 2009
6:14 pm
This is not the time of the year to take a bus trip. It does not work on any level. C/K out Bama TCL-ATL. Next time Fly.
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
6:17 pm
I agree with “gman” Bench ryan and put in CHRIS REDMOND!!!
Also, Elam’s got to go!!!!!! Gotta be a better kicker out there the team can pick up.
Thomas
November 15th, 2009
6:18 pm
Some people are counting the two games against Tampa as two wins, but I bet those people were counting today’s game as a win also. We could win next week and lose to Tampa and Buffalo because there is no consistently good play from the Quarterback. With the performance today, we may be further off than we thought. We will need 2 Cornerbacks, 1 Left Tackle, not sure we can rely on Sam Baker,1 Running Back,we cannot rely on Norwood he is built too frail, 1 Linebacker to replace Peterson after next season, and the quarterback to grow up.
Vick was not an accurate passer, so I thought Ryannwould be better than Vick was.
gman
November 15th, 2009
6:18 pm
matt ryans game started slipping last year so people need to stop saying sophomore slump. i cant count the enzone over throws last year
but this year. he’s panicking to quick, when ever he rolls out he throws
the ball away. he’s not looking to make a play, and ive seen them to be
made. hes not poised in the pocket. not setting his feet. and he looks
confused. over anxious. there a lot of bads im seeing right now. i think
he needs a wake up call, i dont care who you are, this is the NFL if you
aint making plays, you aint making since. I SAY BENCH HIM!!!
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
6:26 pm
Maybe if the falcons have a bye week every week they can make it to the playoffs.
But as the infamous coach Jim Mora said, “PLAYOFFS? DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT PLAYOFFS!” Calling Arthur Blank, time to take action, your ship is sinking fast!
JB
November 15th, 2009
6:48 pm
Matt Ryan has a brace or wrap on his left thigh bulging under the uniform, so he may not be 100%. Elam clutched twice before the miss, so there may have been mis-communication with the holder or the new long snapper. Turner was burning it up before his injury. There are weaknesses and mistakes, but the coaches haven’t suddenly become complete idiots. Those who panic and jump ship aren’t on the field, they’re in the stands and on the website.
Gary
November 15th, 2009
6:52 pm
I sure am glad I don’t purchase season tickets. No need to pay good money to get an upset stomach. If everyone got paid millions of dollars to perform their jobs in a mediocre way(at best), What a happy country we would be. Don’t count on back to back winning seasons with the effort that is being put forth by these gentlemen. Absolutely no sense of urgency or hustle from the Falcons. Oh well, wait until next year.
GROUNDEDFALCON
November 15th, 2009
7:04 pm
No body’s panicking! i said,” time to take action” Bench Ryan and sack Elam!
No problem with the coaches. Ryan might become a great quarterback in the future, but right now he’s killing the team!
GREAT COACHES AND ORGANIZATIONS MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS!
Observer
November 15th, 2009
7:10 pm
The fans have brought bad vibes to the Falcons team by their negativity towards former players and collecting money to pay Coach Smith’s fine. Give Matt Ryan time and he will be alright.
wayne
November 15th, 2009
7:15 pm
Ryan is playing scared–Look at his eyes. Not the eyes of a confident QB. The defense must love to look at him standing there shaking in his cleats. Better passing routes would be a help. Why do our receivers not obtain separation from the D-backs? Need better pass plays/routes. Get someone who knows how to draw up good pass plays.
IT IS A REAL SHAME THAT COACH SMITH WILL NEVER READ ANY OF THESE SUGGESTIONS. BESIDES THE JUNK THERE ARE SOME GOOD IDEAS.
South Ga Falcon
November 15th, 2009
8:05 pm
Anybody have Morten Anderson’s cell phone number? Think it’s time we call ole reliable!
RFGH
November 15th, 2009
8:58 pm
Ryan isn’t throwing well, But the gen mgr and head coach have a lot to answer for. No back who can run with a screenor catch out of the backfield and I don’t mean Norwood is the answer . Only one wide receiver who would be a number two on most teams and the other is worthless. No help in the off-season at corner. Fist two pics in draft each with injury issues before they were drafted. And a quarterback sneak with more than a yard to go! The red flag thing. Going for two when should have been one. John Abraham persona non grata. Surely with more confidence Ryan can throw he ball harder, Can’t he?
nate
November 15th, 2009
9:06 pm
i’m in MN but follow the falcons & i thought ryan was overated last year & it looks like i was right. his rookie yr was a fluk. it appears he’s just another overated, overpaid highly drafted qb.
Chill
November 15th, 2009
10:02 pm
I agree with most of you, Elam must be replaced but it’s too early to write off MR2. Yes, his passes have been consistently off target for the past four games and he does have some happy feet in the pocket but most QB’s have had ugly stretches in their careers, especially early in their early years. His consistently high, floating passes could be the result of an undisclosed arm/shoulder issue. Or maybe his off-season conditioning program has affected his throwing motion. Regardless, he is the franchise QB so keep the faith through the rough patches or go support whoever is the flavor of the month. We still have a good chance of going 9-7 although the playoffs are less likely than they were yesterday. Yes, today was a tough loss but enough with all the doom and gloom. We weren’t as good as we looked last year and we’re not as bad as we look right now. Chill a bit people.
Ed
November 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
Just a really bad day by the entire team and coaching staff. Every time they lay an egg I promise myself not to ever look at them again. I may have to break down and watch the Hawks or Thrashers. At least I will not expect much from them. As best I can remember, the average incomplete pass today was for 2 yards.
Barbara
November 16th, 2009
6:18 am
I’m lost for words that was bad on yesterday. I believe he has the most interceptions already. I know people are still upset with Vick but come on he didn’t throw all those interceptions, and all those Vick haters you are probably wondering now. Everybody was so happy when they got Ryan ( not everybody) but he gave up 20 interceptions in College, Elam has to go did you see how he look at the Guy holding the ball after he missed. The ball was still ( you missed it).
zino
November 16th, 2009
7:20 am
Matty Ice is now Matty Overthrow…..
George Holman
November 16th, 2009
10:30 am
It hurts when you lose a game that you should win. Ryan is in a funk and our kicker may have seen his best days behind him. Very, very disappointing.
Jim T
November 16th, 2009
11:22 am
Can anyone explain to me why Jason Elam is still in the NFL?
Something has got to give...
November 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
I know this has already been written, but I will say it again. Coach Smith, QUIT taking up for Matty saying how good he has been this year! Just maybe getting on his spoiled little Boston College ass a little bit might be just what the doctor ordered. How long before you give Redman a chance with the supporting cast the QB’s have now? He might not have the strongest arm, but he never threw the picks, which are killing us.
trueform
November 16th, 2009
9:55 pm
I hear ya brothers and sisters, take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GuH9oDHrU
FALCON FEVER
November 17th, 2009
7:26 pm
In preseason I along with a lot of the so called experts were saying that the Birds were loaded on offense and looked to be one of if not the best in the NFC. The defense was suspect from the start but seems at least learn from their mistakes each game. This offense has totally shocked me. I thought that the addition of Tony Gonzalez would make this the best offense in the NFC. Who could have predicted though that Matt Ryan would not really make any progress at all this year. He has actually taken a step back and made more poor decisions already this year than all of last year. We have two games with TB, one with Buffalo, the Jets, Giants, Saints and Eagles. Right now 9-7 looks real good. However just remember what 2007 was and how we thought this franchise would be on the bottom for years. Coach Smith will get this team turned around but we will have our growing pains. I SUPPORT THIS TEAM AND THE COACH AND GM. GOOD OVERALL JOB IN JUST YOUR 2ND YEAR!
trueform
November 18th, 2009
11:29 am
Ryan Exposed has got all the answers afterall he writes in CAPS….oooooh scary…for more insight take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GuH9oDHrU
DGM
November 18th, 2009
11:38 am
Poor play calling at the end of the first offensive drive and for the remaining first half, third quarter ok and the fourth quarter was poor enough to lose the game. Ryan had a bad day due to poor protection or holding the ball to long and multiple poor choices..Loss of Turner will reveal the character of this team.
craig donahue
November 20th, 2009
6:16 pm
michael jenkins drops too many good passes.they need a bigtime receiver with speed and good hands.also needed is abigtime DE to help abraham,and a decent safty. lastly needed is a power fullback to wear the defense down like larry johnson who is a free agent on the cheap.yea he might be aging but it’s like a choice between 2007 s500 mercedes or a 2010 hyundia. I’ll take L.J the mercedes everytime.plus they can always sign a short contract with provisions.