Falcons’ charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner
Here's a familiar scene: Falcons running back Michael Turner getting hammered by the Dallas defense in Sunday's 37-21 loss. (Ron T. Ennis/Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
ARLINGTON, Texas – After a performance that saw them commit three turnovers, allow four sacks, have their running back again look like he was trying to move with bricks tied to his ankles, allow a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown and generally get slam-danced Sunday by a Dallas team that struggled to defeat Kansas City, we can safely say this about the Falcons:
They’re probably not this bad.
But do you know what they have been?
Fortunate.
After weeks of tiptoeing over hot coals with a scrambled secondary, they finally watched an opponent turn yards into touchdowns. After weeks of skating on offense despite mediocre performances from a sluggish-looking Michael Turner, having only half of a well-functioning offense finally came back to bite them.
That’s how a 4-1 start turns into a 37-21 loss. That’s how a charmed existence suddenly blows like a Peep in a microwave.
“I felt like we did some uncharacteristic things,” coach Mike Smith said.
And folks, rest assured that his analysis in a team film session Monday will not be put so delicately.
Matt Ryan hadn’t been sacked in four games. Against Dallas, he was sacked four times and pounded often. His offensive linemen resembled milk bottles being knocked over by a softball. Protection was weak. Run-blocking was weaker.
“We got whipped,” tackle Tyson Clabo said.
Acceptance is wonderful thing. It’s the first step toward fixing a problem.
Michael Turner might want to try that.
The field was covered with enough Falcons’ dread Sunday that to pin the loss on one player wouldn’t be right. But Turner is a good place to start. Bottom line: He hasn’t been the same running back he was a year ago. He averaged only 2.8 yards per carry Sunday (18 for 50). He is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry and has gone over 100 yards once in six games, after breaking 100 eight times last season (all wins).
Even illegal mugging (see the penalty flag) couldnt help Brent Grimes stop Miles Austin from scoring this touchdown. (AP photo)
Now, we can sit here and bang on the Falcons’ defense in general and the secondary in particular. But the defense wasn’t expected to be great this season, and it took a big hit when it lost defensive tackle Peria Jerry for the season. The secondary wasn’t expected to be great, and an already suspect group suffered a huge loss when Brian Williams was knocked out for the year last week.
And yes, Brent Grimes was awarded the Charles Dimry Trophy posthumously Sunday, after he was largely responsible for Miles Austin looking like Crazy Legs Hirsch (six catches, 171 yards, two touchdowns). A pile of ashes sat in front of Grimes’ locker after the game.
But Turner was supposed to be a constant. Nothing against Jason Snelling. But when he’s leaving Turner in the dust (seven for 68, including a 31-yarder) on this team, there’s a problem.
Turner carried 376 times last season. The obvious question: Did that take something out of him?
“Physically, I feel the same,” he said. “I’m still healthy. It’s not about 300 and some carries last year.”
Here’s the problem: Turner seems to not be accepting much (or any) responsibility for what’s going on. You don’t hear comments like, “I have to be better.”
When asked what he believed the problem was — be it a lack of holes up front, him not being able to get into a rhythm or something else — he said: “I don’t know. It seems like there’s always guys we can’t get to, we can’t block.”
The offense opened the game with a 16-play, 80-yard, eight-minute touchdown drive. But that turned out to be an aberration. In their next five possessions, the Falcons committed two turnovers (a Ryan interception and fumble) and had three three-and-outs.
You know it’s bad when even Keith Brooking is trash-talking. The ex-Falcon taunted his teammates with his words and, at one point even broke into a bird-like arm flap.
He apologized later for the trash-talking. But the arm flap?
“I ain’t apologizing to anybody,” he said.
The bitterness about being let go following last season finally flowed. Good timing. The Falcons made it easy on an opponent. Too much caught up with them.
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501 comments Add your comment
Leon
October 26th, 2009
11:11 am
EFF Keith Brooking.
myra
October 26th, 2009
11:11 am
If the Atlanta Falcons have ANY fans…..they sure are not on this blog. Jeez, we lost one game.
Heres a news flash– we will get beat again. This is a game,you play,you win some,you lose some.
You guys act like its the end of the world and we suk big time. You must not watch the NFL very much.
This is a good team and its like Troy Aikman said yesterday on the program ” the Atlanta Falcons have to figure out whats holding them back”.
Oh and by the way if u hate the Birds so much that u want Arthur Blank to “pack up the team and move away” you r truly insane.
Some of u bloggers r the joke. Not this team.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 26th, 2009
11:12 am
Well folks, it looks like the only memories of a Falcons playoff victory or victories for the decade will be in 2002 & 2004.
This is the last season for the decade and only qb brought the Falcons wins beyond the regular season
Say what you like, but the only stat that matters is – PLAYOFF WINS!!!!!
fanatic
October 26th, 2009
11:12 am
I don’t blame Brooking one bit for his actions Sunday. He showed as much class as the Falcons showed effort. The OL would not block, the DL would not charge, the RB would not run, and the corners would not get within six feet of a receiver. This was the first time that Ryan felt fear for his life and he showed it. Brookins had to celebrate getting away from that type players, and I don’t blame him.
JeanE
October 26th, 2009
11:14 am
I’ve been saying all season, what is wrong with Turner? He’s way slow hitting the holes every time! Why is he so slow? He seems supremely unmotivated, wish we could bench his ass but with Jerious down, we need him. But, I much prefer Snelling who runs hard, is a load and a threat to catch a ball, too. Maybe we should start auditioning running backs to light a fire under Mr. Smiley. Drive me crazy when guys who aren’t producing are smiling all the time. As for Brooking, can’t blame him a bit, I’d be crowing in his shoes, too. Still not sorry we dumped him. The secondary was finally exposed for what we knew it to be: horrible. Brent Grimes is a midget who should never be on this team but we have no choice. What’s wrong with Abe? He is being dumped on his butt every game, is he playing hurt? This offense should never look that bad, we are better than that, we should be ashamed of ourselves! Hate the playcalling, why are we calling plays for Marty Booker??? I will continue to gripe about not using Finneran, at least he shows he can block and play, more than some other guys. Also, why doesn’t Matt Ryan ever run when there’s space in front of him? Get your butt moving, dude you could pick up some yards if you tried. Now, we have to go face the buzzsaw that is New Orleans, in primetime in their house. Sigh. Only consolation is that we usually play them hard but we’ll probably still get wupped.
Just An Observation
October 26th, 2009
11:15 am
DUDE….get over your fascination with basing everything on the PRO BOWL. It is primarily a popularity contest.
59bulldawg
October 26th, 2009
11:16 am
Yesterday’s Steelers/Vikes matchup pitted my favorite team (Steelers) against my favorite player (Brett Favre)! Was happy with the ending. Steelers won and Favre wasn’t hurt! LOL! Would love to see a rematch in the Super Bowl. Of course wouldn’t be disappointed to one day see the Falcons back there either! Steelers have a lot to work on if we are going to repeat. Of course all of this hoopla about pro football takes a back seat to the one team that I’ll always root for . . . my Georgia Bulldawgs . . . errrr perhaps this year I should say Bullpuppies! No amount of frustration there could ever make me change!
Checking in from Atlanta
October 26th, 2009
11:20 am
[...] Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution is wondering what happened to Michael Turner. [...]
Al Smith
October 26th, 2009
11:20 am
Turner needs to get on a diet and ryan needs to get on the juice, pronto
Checking in from Atlanta « wire2
October 26th, 2009
11:21 am
[...] Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution is wondering what happened to Michael Turner. [...]
YborSaint
October 26th, 2009
11:21 am
You Falcon fans are rediculous. I am a life long Saint fan but to see some of you call Matt Ryan a bust has got to be the most rediculous thing I have ever seen on this forum.1 bad loss and now Falcon fever is over, this is typical of Falcon fans over the years. No running game equals a poor passing game, that is why the birds are having problems. Last I checked they were 4-2, wow! Aren’t they awful huh?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 26th, 2009
11:22 am
FROM “THE BIRD CAGE” BLOG:
Shadow of Falcons Offense
Quarterback
Matt Ryan had one of the longer days in his young career, spending much of the game looking up at the amazing screen in Cowboys Stadium after being sacked four times, hurried, and beat on by the Cowboys defensive front. Marcus Spears, Demarcus Ware, and Bradie James were in Ryan’s face all day and put the pressure on from the first snap. The horrible play of the offensive line doesn’t excuse Ryan’s poor decisions throughout the game, where he threw into tight coverage and seem rattled, quite unlike his normal persona. Two touchdowns, but a fumble and two picks again, making it four picks in two weeks. Grade – F
Al Smith
October 26th, 2009
11:27 am
the saints game is going to be a massacre, i hope the world series is on that night so i have something to watch. brees is going to have fun with houston and grimes
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
11:30 am
FalconUGAFan
October 26th, 2009
10:28 am
Vick Supporter, actually you don’t speak the truth. I just said Ryan had a bad day and you lumped me into that as “you people”. Perspective is everything, is it not? Come on, you are in the military as was I. Navy right? You know better. Of course Ryan can’t carry the team, but neither could Vick. Thats why its called a team. He was a tremendous talent and may be again, but he’s not our QB. He did not have the support he needed either. He had to make plays up alot on his own. Let it go. I’m going to for sure. Peace.”
@FalconUGAFan
At least you’re honest….I don’t have a persona agenda against Ryan..I just don’t think that he’s as good as the Falcons fans make him out to be. I point out that this guy never recieves any of the blame and I get killed for it and the posts are right here for everyone to see.
Also, when I say “you people” (make note Mr. Schultz), I’m not referring to race…I’m referring to Falcon fans. My comments have nothing to do with race…people assume that because I support Mike Vick and they make it into a race thing. I’ve said that Ryan is a good QB many times……I would just take Vick over him anyday of the week
Steve
October 26th, 2009
11:31 am
I’m surprised everybody is banging on Turner so hard. Do you really think his skills just eroded from 1 year to the next? He looks like the same guy to me. He was never a guy with great lateral quickness at the line. His strength is powerful explosion through a hole with good long speed. His “make’em miss” skills have always been average at best for a NFL RB.
The blocks are being missed for the most part, just like they were a lot last year. The difference is Turner hasn’t had the flurry of long runs he had last year to inflate his ypc. Some of that has to be his fault, I’m sure he’s hesitating more and has missed some holes.
I suspect those will come eventually, and Turner will be considered a “good” back again. To say Jason Snelling is outperforming him is ludicrous. They are not running the same plays, in the same situations, against the same fronts. Nearly every run Turner has is on an obvious run down, with a loaded box. Snelling is benefiting more from deception. Turner doesn’t really get the 3rd down, shotgun, draw play carries that are less contested at the line of srimmage, and allow for bloated ypc numbers.
I watched the entire game. People are making too much of him being tackled from behind by a linemen. It happended once, after he barely started to accelerate past the line of scrimmage. His momentum stopped to make a move by a defender in front of him and the lineman tackled him from behind. Stop making it seem like he was caught from behind downfield.
I agree the running game has been frustrating, but to think replacing Turner with Snelling is the answer, is ludicrous to me. Turner is a quality back. The whole offense needs to really get cracking for his holes to open up. Once they start coming more consistently, he’ll hit’em more often with explosion and big gains will come, and start to off-set all the times he’s handed the ball on 1st and 10 against 8 poorly blocked defenders.
Bobby Dowell
October 26th, 2009
11:36 am
Brooking showed no class. Even after the orginazation kept him at least one too many seasons. Pathetic!
BostonBCfan
October 26th, 2009
11:37 am
To vick supporter:
I have to give it to you that you make much more sense on here most times than most of these other idiot bloggers that don’t seem to know much about football but just want to blame ryan because they are vick fans only. You are right when you say that Ryan can’t win the game by himself and that when a team shuts down the falcons run game then it’s on Ryan to try and win it, and you’re right but not all on him alone. If teams front 4 or front 7 get to the QB because the O-Line plays poorly then it’s on the 0-Line AND Ryan. When that happens, like it did yesterday, Ryan has to find a way to get rid of the ball and that’s on him too. You are also right when you say m. vick is better at getting away from a crazy rush like Dallas had going yesterday. I’ll be the first to admit that m.vick was a much better athlete than Ryan ever will be and so Ryan does not have the ability to get away from the rush like vick could. That being said, Ryan is a pure pocket passer so he must get rid of the ball when the rush is on heavy, which it has been in several games this year and that is why you’ll see Ryan throw the ball away a lot if he doesn’t have the time for his receivers to get into their breaks. I know you understand that.
So here’s the thing…..Matt has to take responsibility for his shortcomings and I believe he does. He knows he’s not a great athlete but if you look at most succesful QB’s in the NFL a lot of them are not GREAT athletes. Ryan should not be compared to any QB in the NFL, especially Petyon. He’s got a long way to go before you can start to compare him to anyone like that. But remember, and I think you have said this, he is only a second year QB so he is still learning but because m.vick had that great athletic ability he could cover up his mistakes, AND the rest of the TEAMS mistakes, a lot easier than Ryan can. That was a huge difference between vick and ryan.
Now, one last thing. I do like reading most of your posts, but I disagree most voicefully on one of your points and the other bloggers here that hate on Ryan. You all keep saying he is a noodle arm and can’t throw the deep ball. I saw him do it for 3 1/2 years up here at BC. He CAN THROW THE DEEP BALL. He just isn’t asked to do that in this falcons offense, which for some reason I really don’t understand. Part of that is the 0-line and if they are not giving him the time for his receivers to get deep and into their breaks and patterns then he’s not going to be able to throw deep and so if the coaching staff believes that the 0-line can’t give him enough protection and time to get off the deep passes they are not going to put in a lot of those types of calls during a game.
And this one comment for the idiot Matt “Choke” Ryan when you say Ryan was a chump at BC and didn’t do anything. Well, in his years at BC he always had one of the best O-lines in all of college football. BC always does and that’s why he did what he did at BC taking them to the ACC championship several years but then losing out to other teams with BETTER athletes on them. BC has more 0-linemen in the NFL than any other major college.. Look it up. They don’t call BC 0-Line University for no reason, it’s because they put out more NFL caliber 0-linemen than all other universities and that is the biggest reason why Ryan had so much success in college. If you give him time to throw he will win games for you.
Nice debating with you vick supporter. I always loved watching MV and I hope he gets back someday, but I just don’t think he will ever get the chance to be what he once was. Anyway, you can still support your falcons and their new QB and still want to see MV come back and do well…..There’s no shame in that.
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
11:38 am
And for you folks that say the “Vick Supporters” only come out when the Falcons lose is untrue. I’m on here if the Falcons win or lose.
tree rollins
October 26th, 2009
11:43 am
Folks, enough with the race stuff and the Michael Vick stuff already!!! Michael Vick’s long gone. Football’s an integrated sport and has been for decades. Now let’s talk football.
Jeff is exactly right that Turner is not the same back this year – not even close! He’s lost his quickness to the hole and by the time he reaches the hole it’s closed. Both Snelling and Norwood hit the hole so much faster – that’s why their average per gain is so much higher than Turner’s this year behind the very same blockers. Turner’s lack of production let’s the other team tee off on Matt Ryan. This will not be fixed until Coach Smith accepts the fact that he needs to switch roles between Snelling and Turner which will be a hard pill to swallow for Turner and Smith knows it. (fyi it also looks like Turner is carrying at least 15-220 additional pounds this year which may explain his loss of quick burst).
PMC
October 26th, 2009
11:50 am
Keith Brooking is now Jeff George in this city.
JeanE
October 26th, 2009
11:51 am
I just ingnore comments that have nothing to do with the current Falcons team. Ignore and they will go away or Jeff will delete them, Yeah Jeff!!
Let’s not panic, I was not a Matt Ryan fan last year but he’s slowing winning me over. Sidenote, love the Airtran commercial, since deadpan is your normal expression way to make that work for you!! He will continue to improve, yes, he had a bad game but so do the team in general. Except you, Finn, you got the 1 catch a game they “allow” you and blocked & tackled like all get out!! If the run isn’t working and we really did miss Jerious, why aren’t why aren’t we going to our very talented group of receivers? And that doesn’t include Marty Booker…Matty ice did start to look a little deer in the headlights but who could blame him? It’s just too bad our recovery game is against the Saints. But any team can be beat, we just have to keep score with them but we are not a come from behind team. Let’s practice some tackling this week, we apparently forgot how to do it. That TD by Romo was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Also, with our defense so overmatched, why on Earth wouldn’t you go for it on 4th down?? It would’ve shown a trememdous amount of confidence in your offense which is the strenth of this team. Bad game all around, in every facet, except for Finn, Elam who barely played, Weems, go Weemy from Ormond Beach, we go there every year at Spring Break! And special mention to Jam Anderson, who has FINALLY found his niche at Dtackle, holla!!! Maybe you can help Abe, now, oh the irony. Go Birds, not giving up on you yet!!!
falcon
October 26th, 2009
11:56 am
I would have felt sorry for Mike Smith yesterday except it’s his job to see that the players and coaches are prepared for more than one series. Yesterday, they weren’t. Maybe he will have a “friendly” chat with the boys this week. NO is next and they are a much better team than the Cowboys. Without changes these two games might see the bandwagon lose a lot of riders but I ain’t getting off!
Once "Recent" Reader
October 26th, 2009
11:58 am
BostonBCFan – good post. Fellow alum here – living in SE Florida and posting on Falcs games since last year. Very true about the O Line at BC and usually good protection for Ryan. Also very true on the other teams having better athletes. As I’ve said Ryan had average to mediocre (but some very solid) receivers at best on BC Teams. Can’t even imagine what he could have done with some of those receivers on the SEC Teams such as Florida and Georgia – when he was in school!
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
11:58 am
@BostonBCfan
Great post man…I can agree with that….the thing that upsets me is that when Vick had these same EXACT problems that Ryan is having (O-line, running game) Vick was blamed for everything…yet Ryan gets a pass because he’s the “golden boy”.
I don’t attack Ryan on purpose or because he’s white like alot of people say I do. I just belive that Ryan is limited on what he can do on his own, and I think that the Falcons are doing a good job of surrounding him with players that can help him, which I don’t believe they didn’t do for Vick. Anyone who knows football knows that Vick at times won games by himself. Its the usual “superstar syndrome” when the rest of the team starts to rely on the superstart to save them, and that wast the case when Vick was here. i remember manytimes where Vick would just take over the game on a moments notice, win the game, then get nit-picked about some other jusnk when the purpose of playing the game is to WIN. Forget QB ratings and comp%’s….it doesn’t mean a thing if you lose. Yet, people slam Vick yet he won games, plane and simple.
Kudos to the Falcon organization for trying to do it the right way this time around….Vick was a highlight real not only because if his immense talent, but because at the time, the Falcons needed something to give the franchise a boost, and he did just that. The other finer parts of the game got lost in the shuffle, especially after Dan Reeves was unfairly fired. Mora was a friend to the players, thats it….unfortunately, Vick lacked the maturity to want to work HARDER on his own….alot was his fault, and alot was the teams fault….they never held Vick accountable…..because of his breathtaking ability and the owner coddled his “money making machine” that was Vick.
Whether folks like it or not, Vick carried this team/franchise. We all lived and died by his every move and that’s unfortunate…it should have been a team concept instead of a highlight show that ALL PARTIES had a hand in creating.
“Vick will shine again”
lets go pokes
October 26th, 2009
11:59 am
Ya’ll don’t be so hard on your Falcons. We (Cowboys) were on a bye last week. That was a huge win for us. We have been throwing everybody from our coach to Romo under the bus. I can’t say we are not happy. We beat a good team yesterday.
I try to keep up with the falcons. Ya’ll remind me of the early 90’s pokes with Aikman and Smith. I also noticed ya’ll got the same jacka$$ blogger from the New Orleans Saints. Give them a break, they will be back with their sacks over there heads in to time.
Chef menteur
October 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
FALCONS 34 – Saints 14
Chef menteur
October 26th, 2009
12:00 pm
Just kidding
Chef menteur
October 26th, 2009
12:01 pm
Go Saints! 7&0 Baby
43 Years of Failure
October 26th, 2009
12:08 pm
The Falcons and their fans are meant for one another – 43 years of failure.
In other cities they boo their qb if the team loses.
Al Smith
October 26th, 2009
12:11 pm
Saints 60 – Falcons 9
(smith continues to go for field goals and punts in the 4th quarter)
Once "Recent" Reader
October 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
I don’t think Archie Manning was personally booed when he was with the otherwise hapless Saints . . ..and Bad News . . did you set yourself up by writing that “Lets Go Pokes” blog regarding that j**k**s Saints fan? And then reply as Chef menteur . . . possibly 43 Years of Failure too. I must admit . . I sometimes can’t figure all the aliases out:)
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
Saints 38 Falcons 14
STOP Whining!!!!
October 26th, 2009
12:18 pm
WOW….imagine this….falcon fans whining and jumping off the band wagon as soon as you lose a game.
Give all the Brooking trash talk a rest. If you were ever TRUE Brooking fans you would know he is an intense and emotional player. I followed him for 11 seasons in Atlanta and one of the pure joys of watching him play is that he is a maniac on the field. He is truly a class act and always represented Atlanta with dignity, but on the field he takes on a different role. That is what makes him such a dynamic and exciting player to watch.
Brooking is an emotional player. Anyone that has watched a Dallas game this season would know that he has been running up and down the sidelines “cheering” on his team all year. It’s how he plays the game. Sure yesterday’s game was personal for him. I’m sure anyone of you would love the chance to go back to an old job and have a lil fun with your former boss and co-workers. Who wouldn’t?
Part of winning football games is mental. As a seasoned player Brooking turns out all the tricks when he’s out there. Each week he gets in the head of his opponents and messes with them a little. That’s all he did yesterday. After the game, he was shaking hands and laughing about it with his former teammates. Brooking left it on the field…the rest of you should do the same.
He gave 110% to ATL for 11 years and will always consider it home, but he is a competitive, emotional, and intense player that just wants to win football games. He has never changed the way he plays the game and never will. He will continue to give to give 110% the rest of his career, regardless of the opposing team.
Get over yourselves and STOP placing blame. The fact of the matter is the Falcons were outplayed yesterday. Plain and simple. I have been and will continue to be a Brooking supporter and you better believe when he’s inducted into the Ring of Honor, I will be there cheering him on with great admiration.
BostonBCfan
October 26th, 2009
12:23 pm
To Once “Recent” Reader :
Well, not a fellow BC alum here just a huge fan of BC since I was a kid. Actually tried to go there for baseball but didn’t have the grades to get in. Although my daugter is the alum. She graduated from BC in ‘05 and is now down there in Atlanta in grad school. She got all the brains in the family.
I always wondered how much better Ryan would have been at BC, if that’s possible, if he had more so called “Skill position” players. He did more with less than any QB in college during his years. And he will do it in Atlanta when they get the right set of players around him, as vick supporter pointed out. As I mentioned, Ryan can’t cover his mistakes and the teams mistakes like MV could with his athletic ability, which was amazing to watch during the MV years.
to vick supporter: you are right on all those counts about the falcons and the way ownership and management handled things with MV. although, i think a lot of the times, because MV was such a great athlete that when things looked like they were going to break down instead of trying to hang in that pocket to complete a play he would use his athletic ability to break out and make a play. IT must have been hard for him to not want to do that because with that ability it’s hard to stay in the pocket when you see all those big D-linemen coming at you so I think he just would panic sometimes and get out of the pocket before he had to. He had the ability to make the pass as we all know he has a rocket arm but I think internally he must have struggled a lot with the quick decision to either stand in there and take the heat or get out of the pocket knowing he could get away from those D-lineman with his legs. Sometimes, I think all that athletic ability of his actually hurt him at times, and the team, because he seemed to look to run when he probably could have hung in the pocket a split second longer and relied more on his great arm as well. Anyway, just a thought of mine.
crackbaby
October 26th, 2009
12:25 pm
Cowboys had 2 weeks to rest, recover and plan. Falcons had a short week after two physical games (SF and CHI). It showed. If they meet in the playoffs, I’ll take the Falcons at the Dome over the Boys.
Please direct attention at the O-line and D-line for the Falcons issues. Turner isn’t seeing any holes and the D-line gets zero pressure on the QB w/o blitz help. You cannot blame the TD at the end of the first half on the secondary – 3 of 4 linemen whiffed on Romo.
BostonBCfan
October 26th, 2009
12:27 pm
I agree with crackbaby too in that you give any professional team 2 weeks to game plan for another team it is definitely going to give them an advantage. But, it doesn’t let the falcons off the hook for having a really bad game on both sides of the ball.
Left wing management
October 26th, 2009
12:30 pm
The strong opening drive only made what was to come seem even crueller, as the Falcons marched down the field only to virtually fold for the rest of the game. Nothing like one strong segment of ball followed by a complete meltdown to rattle your confidence in a team (or its own self-confidence).
Generally though, as an Atlanta native I wondered if it was me or if there wasn’t something eerily familiar about seeing the Falcons mercilessly whipped this way by the Cowboys? Shades of the early 80s NFC divisional playoff game whipping at the hands of Danny White, anyone? What is it about the Cowboys’ apparent knack through the years for having the Falcons’ number? Wasn’t it so predictable that it would be the Falcons who would virtually single-handedly return Romo to the charmed heights in his new palace built by his indulgent sponsor Jerry Jones? Sad. And hopefully just a one-off.
Ivan
October 26th, 2009
12:30 pm
All we heard before pre-season started was the schedule being extremely tough due to playing the most teams coming off their bye. Now that we’ve lost to one of them, everyone is panicking. Get a grip. They’re 4-2.
I agree, they should have played much better. I say “they”, as in the entire team. Let’s see how Smith can get this team going again, hopefully continuing to avoid the back-to-back loss trend.
Carlos
October 26th, 2009
12:34 pm
As a long time Falcon fan and continued supporter of Keith Brooking, I am absolutely staggered by the comments of so many one-time supporters of Brooking. Brooking has been praised his entire football career for having the ability to step on to the field and leave his charm and refinement at home. It is known that he is a different person when he steps on the field. This trait was significantly evident when he was a falcon but now that Brooking is not leading the Falcons in tackles, like he did seven out the eleven years as a falcon, you fans feel the need to attack him because of his sheer passion for the game. He has been an asset to the cowboys on the field and on the sidelines with the same leadership that his possessed in Atlanta. His boisterous attitude has been existent in the five previous games with the Cowboys and was especially present on Sunday against the Falcons. Why would he not be more pumped up when playing his ex-team? Some of you speak of his loss of class. Give me a break. His endless hours of work and aid in the Metro-Atlanta Community can not be erased by the fact that you fans are upset that you had yours butts handed and to you, and maybe Brooking rubbed it in a little. Get over it!! Another thing that you criticizers fail see is the contract negotiation and Atlanta’s treatment toward Brooking at the end of his 11 seasons. Maybe it was personal for Brooking. No, he did not play an amazing physical game but the exhilarating approach as a fan of his fellow teammates that Brooking illustrated gave the Cowboys a mental advantage. Brooking, you are still a class-act to me. Wish you the best in Dallas.
O'Brien
October 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
If our pass rush and secondary struggled against the Cowboys, how will they hold up against the Saints?
And is there any other over .500 team in the league that Chris Houston and Brent Grimes would start for? I know these guys give it 100%, but for whatever reason, they’re not getting the job done. Unfortunately, we are stuck with these guys for the rest of the year.
That being said, I still think the Falcons will finish 10-6 and make the playoffs.
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
BostonBCfan
I can agree with that….I’ve always said that Vick’s athletic ability was a gift and a curse…..my thing is….what’s the point of Vick dumping the ball off to a RB who may not get the 1st down, while Vick has a chance to break a 40yd run on any given play….just a thought. You also have to understand that the WRs and O-line was having the same problems that are happening now, except the WRs didn’t know how to be an NFL WR at that time (they were young WRs) so Ryan does have it easier in that aspect.
Also, that’s a part of the reason that Vick has been ineffective in Philly this year…the man is a QB first and foremost…and the scrambles that he had were from the pocket…not in the “wildcat”.
I belive that Vick will now have the patience to have a balance between running and passing. When he did that here in ATL, he was deadly. He will do it again….I personally believe he will be a better player than he was here with the Falcons when he gets his own team again
Falcons Hero Zero
October 26th, 2009
12:37 pm
Blaming RB Turner is here is bad, and easy (considering that one of primary goals Falcons GMs Dimitroff goals before they had that miracle season, was to upgrade this O-Line for him via roster turn-over. As a writer at the game, you can see this O-line not creating holes against good defensive fronts. Turner is basically “running-up-the backs” of his beaten O-Line.
Dimitroff had 2 very good drafts, I expect the next one to be heavy on O-Line and D-Line (Jerry’s knee won’t heal for a year or 2). This new Falcon regime of Dimitroff and Smith cited both the O-Lines and D-Lines as problems before 2008. Nothing has changed. Because this Falcon Offense surprised people last season, The Falcons GM still did not draft, or sign many new O-Linemen to compete. It is good that he focused on Defense first. Bierman and Sidbury will be very good at DE.
Sometimes, you get-by with “guts” and work-ethic, but I think that Smith, Mularkey, and Dimitroff see the problems (and they cannot improve them until the off-season).
Turner has bulked-up too much form his days as a Charger, but he’s not doing much different than last season The O-line and scheme are in trouble vs. good teams.
PMC
October 26th, 2009
12:42 pm
Keith Brooking always gets credit for doing things he’s supposed to do. He shows up for work… he’s a leader… he’s good in the community.
What do you want a cookie? He made 60 million dollars or more here and after 1998 did largely nothing.
He has 130 tackles a year 5 yards down off the line of scrimmage. So what?
Screw him. He’s dead to this team and if they ever even think about retiring 56 we should climb up to the rafters and take it back.
Him being a good guy off the field and in the locker room is what you’re supposed to do. His actions yesterday were an F you to us and everyone here in Georgia.
Name 10 plays that guy has made in his career that changed games for the falcons? The guy should have worn a skirt yesterday and worn pom poms.
Screw him. Screw his legacy. He is dead to this team.
Don Robinson
October 26th, 2009
12:49 pm
I guess everyone here thinks that we were headed to the Superbowl this year!! lol WE HAD A BAD GAME that’s it. Just need to fix a few things. The way Dallas played us we should have had more protection for Ryan Need to take a good look at the O line without them not even the great Vick could win. He can’t even get a staring job with the eagles.lol
Falcons Hero Zero
October 26th, 2009
12:53 pm
Dimitroff should have traded for DE Richard Seymour (and not because he played at UGA).
Falcons have no Pro Bowlers or Hall of Fmaers on this D-Line.. Most of these Falcons D-Linemen are young, and/or are injured. Still, Seymour has been an impact player since his 1st season.
The Falcons may have had nothing that The Patriots wanted, or were not willing to give it to them, but Seymour was needed more than TE Gonzalez..
Has Seymour signed an extension with The Raiders? I’m not sure.
Abraham is an undersized speed-rusher without help.. There is not much more that this man can do..
BostonBCfan
October 26th, 2009
12:58 pm
vick supporter
That’s what MV must have fought with all the time internally, even when he was at VT. When you have that kind of athletic ability I think it would be normal for anyone to want to get away from the danger when you know you can make a play more than anyone on the team. You’re right about that being a curse too. Imagine having that much ability and having it be sort of a curse also.
If he gets another chance, and personally I just don’t think another NFL team is going to give him a chance to be a #1 QB, then I hope he has learned to have more patience and trust his arm and his team mates. It would make him a better overall QB. Because i think if he does get the chance and he doesn’t have the patience required to stay in that pocket it will hurt him again.
Falcons Hero Zero
October 26th, 2009
1:04 pm
Brooking…wow. lolol
I’m sure that he will apologize on the local Sports Radio Stations soon. (Why do something when you know that you will have to apologize for it immediately afterwards? It was premeditated. So, he had planned to act like The Rock yesterday..lolol)
Brookings better hope that what he did yesterday was worth it.. He seems to be in trouble here with the locals…lol.
He’s got good $$$$ in the bank, and he won’t have to appear in any local car commercials.
falcon
October 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
News flash!!!! This is the exact same O-Line that we had last year that paved the way for Michael Turner’s trip to the Pro Bowl. The only difference is that Todd Weiner was there for 5 or 6 games subbing for the injured Sam Baker. I hear all the criticism, but don’t see anything specific on ‘who’ should go on the O-Line. Where is the supposed weak link? I always hear comments from other teams about Clabo and Dahl playing hard and being referred to as the ‘Nasty Boys’. Todd McClure is a solid veteran player. This is just Justin Blalock’s 3rd year. Sam Baker’s 2nd year. Tyson Clabo’s 4th year. And Harvey Dahl’s 2nd year as a starter.
I think Dallas just wanted the game more. The Falcons also play much, much better at home. We’ve got to get the ball in Roddy White’s hands more often. We are also missing Harry Douglas (IR), who much like Norwood, is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.
Ronald Millsaps
October 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
“jt”– What in the WORLD were you talking about earlier?????
By the way, I reject no ideology or concept because it’s different than mine. I reject that which does not stand up to truth upon discernment, so watch your comments.
Ignorance is the act of NOT seeking the truth, which is what you appear to do, and by the way, this postmodern, contradictory angle of accepting anything and everything because <—- it's different is also ignorant.
Vick Supporter
October 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
BostonBCfan
Vick will shine again man. He will get another opportunity as a starter in this league. For God’s sake, if Delhomme, Derek Anderson, and Trent Edwards can have a job as a starter, Vick has a shot.