Falcons' charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner

Who Dat

October 25th, 2009
9:59 pm

What until next Monday night casue the Saints are going to put a show.

number 1 fan

October 25th, 2009
10:03 pm

bad games for us today. I think we definetly need some more secondary help via free agency if we are going to compete late in the season. we need to put more pressure on turner and maybe give snellings more carries its obvious turner is tipping. other than that lets rebound and beat the saints next week GO FALCONS!!!

hiramsaint

October 25th, 2009
10:04 pm

whodat 6-0

Reality for Brooking

October 25th, 2009
10:05 pm

Might want to mention to Brooking that he stuck it to alot of fans that spoke up for him for the past few years.

Rectal Bleeding

October 25th, 2009
10:05 pm

When he and anyone else is stopped behind the line of scrimmage, that indicates the blocking up front has failed.

ga peach

October 25th, 2009
10:06 pm

Wow blame it on everybody but ryan wow!!!! Amazing Matt Ryan is not Jesus Christ he didn’t play well at all and you all are afraid to say it

Bill

October 25th, 2009
10:09 pm

Yes, a good show today by the Saints…right Who Dat!

Monday films and Tuesday is A@@ kicking time by Coach Smith.

Thanks Jeff for good job although we lost.

Matty Ice

October 25th, 2009
10:11 pm

Keith Brooking did nothing to affect the game positively to affect the win for the Cowboys – just like Brooking did nothing for the last 3 years he was in the A-T-L collecting his $6million/yr paycheck…..no class…

Michael in Dunwoody

October 25th, 2009
10:16 pm

Keith, you “ain’t apologizing to anybody”? What about to the supporters of the team that took you to your one (and likely only) Super Bowl? You lost a lot of fans with your antics this afternoon and looked like a complete jerk in the process. And this is how many Falcons fans will remember you. What should we think of you if/when you return to have your number retired by the team in a few years??

It’s understandably an emotional event, and you said as much before the game began, but it doesn’t mean you are entitled to arrogantly show-up your former team, especially without amounting to much by way of your defense.

Atlanta got out-played today, plain and simple. We knew this would be a tough stretch of the season, especially with so many teams coming off byes. It’s my hope the coaches and players will prepare and show up for what likely could be our biggest game of the year. We can’t afford to fall three games behind.

GTJackets

October 25th, 2009
10:23 pm

Ga peach that wasn’t on Ryan. It wasn’t his best game but he is the reason2 of the three td’s were scored. You can’t blame it on the QB when he is sacked 4 times and rushed out of the pocket by piss poor blocking all game.

That was a very uncharacteristic game for the burn unit. Who looked burned out much like Turner.

I know you are a Vick fan most likely judging by your ignorant and uninformed opinion, but the Vick team was built around Vick and he accepted that type of team, so yeah when he made his usual stupid mistakes that cost the game on many occasions you most certainly can blame him. Not with the new team, because unlike Mora, Smith built a complete team dependent on more that one player on offense. End of story.

hop

October 25th, 2009
10:29 pm

i think keith brooking was a very good falcon player and he represented the city with class.

needless to say, we saw a different keith brooking today, that showed a person who showed a total disdained for atlanta falcon fans and his former team.

his classless cheerleading behavior and his total disregard on the field was a brutal message of “in your face message” to the atlanta falcons was pathetic.

yes, he made a few tackles along the way ,but was he a difference maker; hardly, his performance ws not the reason dallas won,but one would have thought he was the star of the game.

what a an absolute joke he was and one that many of our fans will never forget!

GT GRAD

October 25th, 2009
10:30 pm

Brooking was a solid player and represented the Falcons well for 11 years (on & off the field). He has not said anything negative about the Falcons (not in public anyway). He was obviously bothered by the way the Falcons decision makers decided to let him go (they told him this is a young man’s game and that he had no place on the Falcons roster) eventhough he wanted to stay with the Falcons organization. He had to be sick and tired of the ridiculous abuse he was taking from some fans (mostly ignorant of facts). I am not proud of his emotional antics during the game, but I understand the “chip” on his shoulder considering the past transgressions…………..we all know he is an emotional player who gives the game his all; I imagine he was simply pumped and very excited to prove to the people who did not believe in him that they were wrong. He came into this game as the leading tackler for the Dallas Cowboys and his new teammates have consistently stated that he is making a huge impact (positive ) on the entire defense.

I am a huge Falcons fan & yes I am also still a Brooking fan.

Before you negative punks start to trash Brooking…………..think about it a little………..how would YOU have handled the same situation. Overall, Brooking has shown solid character throughout the transition. His emotions and desire to prove he is still good enough to contribute got the best of him a couple of times, but anyone who has played the game of football knows how easy it is to get jacked up while playing the game. Let’s all move on and try to focus on what the birds need to do to win games (i.e. motivate Turner to run with a “chip” on his shoulder like last year and find/develop better cornerbacks!!)

Go Falcons!

willie

October 25th, 2009
10:32 pm

The combined record of the 4 teams the Falcons have beaten is 10-14. I do think we are building toward something, but we clearly aren’t there yet. That being said, is it too much to ask that we try to stretch the field occassionally? They are loading the box but we continue to run and throw mostly short passes. White and Jenkins are both big and fast…throw the ball down field to these guys!

jroc

October 25th, 2009
10:33 pm

Enter your comments here

51sx

October 25th, 2009
10:33 pm

Brooking was a non-factor especially on the Weeks TD when he ran the wrong way like he did on 3:16. Why didn’t we just dump the ball in Brookings vacant spot? Just a lot of hot air and hype as usual. I guess he feels he got his revenge yapping when he was on the bench since he doesn’t play when they need to play good D. I’m happy for him even though Blank gave him way too much salary cap money over the years. But Romo will let him down in the playoffs and we’ll go farther than they will so we’ll get the last laugh. Ha Ha Ha.

Franky

October 25th, 2009
10:34 pm

It’s true, the falcons are weak at cornerback. I’m sick and tired these little corners who can’t cover. How do you get a holding call fall down let the receiver catch the ball and still can’t make the tackle.Pitiful that’s how. Then the other corner hasn’t turned around yet to see the ball in flight. Won’t be no superbowl around here until that is fixed. Yes, Turner the burner is running like a girl, all his tiptoeing like he’s scared to get hit. Jason Snelling out shined him easy, maybe he should start. Plus we miss Norwood who can stretch the defense. And last but not least Matt Ryan just don’t look as good as last year. He makes stupid mistakes I didn’t see last year. Same Ole Falcons F@#& Keith Brooking!

MAD-DONNA

October 25th, 2009
10:34 pm

Falcons Fans, it only gets worse from here!

Randy in Dalton

October 25th, 2009
10:39 pm

Tough game today but they’ll bounce back.

As for Brooking, I thought he was a class individual. Now we actually find out he has no class. He will live to regret what he did today.

BrookingRANT

October 25th, 2009
10:39 pm

So you’ve just alienated yourself in Atlanta Keith, 11 years of great football in Atlanta erased by one manic half cocked frenzy directed at a team that you let down in the playoffs…

FSJR

October 25th, 2009
10:41 pm

Turner says there’s a block or two being missed yet Snelling finds open space. Turner used to have a cut back now he plods into piles.

I’ve always been indifferent about Keith Brooking. I have an opinion of him now.

Bangkapi Ajarn

October 25th, 2009
10:43 pm

I had a chance to catch the game on TV, and Turner seemed slow- even getting caught from behind by linemen, not turning the corner, etc. It is as if he has a physical problem that slows him down, but with two rb’s out with injury already perhaps he has to suck it up and go out there and give it his best shot.

Also, has the injured FB been that big of a factor blocking for him, I wonder?

Moses

October 25th, 2009
10:43 pm

There is absolutely no doubt that on this particular Sunday, Dallas was the better team. We were outplayed, outhit, and frankly outsmarted. While I will admit that we did not play our best game, I am extremely disappointed and angered at the antics of Keith Brooking. He has every right to be excited and happy to beat his former team; he can even have a personal grudge or vendetta. However, his gross disrespect for the organization and owner that paid him millions and his total disregard for fans like myself who helped pay his salary is inexcusable.
If you look up the word “unprofessional” in Webster’s dictionary today, you will see a picture of Keith Brooking. Arthur, do not ever allow his number to be retired into the Falcon Ring of Honor.

Jroc

October 25th, 2009
10:44 pm

I know it probably wont happen but…. we are 6 games into the season and Michael Turner is ( for whatever reason ) not living up to expectations but I definitely think that Jason Snelling should be given more snaps. He runs downhill and with more determination. Also, Keith Brooking did the same thing with the Cowboys as he did with the Falcons…… Nothing.

Jroc

littlebird

October 25th, 2009
10:44 pm

Brooking sure was a jerk today. He claimed there was no animosity toward the Falcons when they let him go in free agency . . . well he showed he lied about that today! The camera crew was on him a lot and you could see his REAL emotions by the way he was running up and down the sidelines yelling. Classless man, really classless! Never have I seen another player in that same situation act like Brooking did. Good riddance . . . glad you’re a Cowboy!

benadawg

October 25th, 2009
10:46 pm

Every time i saw brooking acting out i thought hell you cost us last year when a tight end ran by you, i can’t blame him for hating the front office but if we retire his number now it will be a joke…..f him and the horse he rode out on…

greg

October 25th, 2009
10:47 pm

The Falcons rode Turner last year and rode him in the ground. He has nowhere near the quickness and burst that he had last year. Happens every time.

AUG24

October 25th, 2009
10:48 pm

Keith Brooking looked like a total idiot out there flapping his arms. I’m not bitter about the loss, but I feel Brooking has more class than he exhibited, today. I have always thought very highly of Brooking, but he showed little class, today. Maybe, we will meet them in the playoffs and turn the table. There are alot games to be still played.

BrookingRANT

October 25th, 2009
10:49 pm

Brooking has totally alienated himself in Atlanta…way to go! I would’ve gladly cheered you for 11 years of tough footbal…now I’m thinking you’ll get booed whenever you set foot in the dome…

AUG24

October 25th, 2009
10:53 pm

Turner looks really slow this year. He has people tackling him from behind. For some reason, Snelling hits the hole faster. Turner does not look like the burner from last year. Something has got to be wrong. An injury, worn down, or a lack of passion. Maybe, Snelling will push Turner. I believe Turner will get it turned around.

R.U.KIDDINME

October 25th, 2009
10:54 pm

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MORE BACKWOOD’S,NO PLAYMAKIN’,LACK OF CLASS,REDNECK IN YOUR LIFE??!! I KNOW YOU TECHIES HAVE GOTTA BE PROUD OF THIS SOUTH END OF A NORTH GOIN’ MULE !! WHAT A CLASSLESS UNPROFESSIONAL HAS BEEN!! HEY KEITH,BITTERNESS DOES NOT BECOME YOU !! IS THERE ANY DOUBT IN ANYONE’S MIND WHY THIS CHILDISH JERK WASN’T RESIGNED??!! WHAT A PITIFUL DISPLAY OF UNPROFESSIONALISM ON A NATIONAL STAGE!! YOU ARE SOOOOOOO LUCKY I’M NOT A FALCON PLAYER B/C INSTEAD A HANDSHAKE OR A HUG I WOULD HAVE KICKED YOU RIGHT SQUARE IN YOUR ASS!! TALK ABOUT POOR SPORTSMANSHIP!! HOW ABOUT THE YOUNG INSPIRING KID’S WHOM VIEWED THIS INEXCUSEABLE LACK OF SELF CONTROL!! I’M BETTIN’ YOU HAD THE WIFE WEAR A #2 JERSEY ALL WEEK LONG DURING SEX THIS PAST WEEK TOO!! YOU HAD 2,COUNT’EM 2 TACKLE’S ALL GAME LONG AND YOU BIT ON EVERY SINGLE PLAY ACTION ALL GAME LONG!! DUDE GET OVER YOUR WASHED UP ARROGANT SELF!!

gabeaux

October 25th, 2009
10:55 pm

Turner is to tentative. He used to steamroll through the line. Now, he stops and sidesteps, looking for a hole, rather than making one on his own.

Mister Earl

October 25th, 2009
10:57 pm

Forget Brooking. The Falcons have bigger worries contending with the Who Dat Nation on Monday.

I watched Drew Brees, sir. Matt Ryan is no Drew Brees.

Who is covering Colston?

Will The Superdome be loud?

AUG24

October 25th, 2009
10:59 pm

Atlanta really needs to get Norwood back. He puts alot of pressure on the defense. We need to take some chances throwing the ball down field. Michael Jeinkins needs to get more involved. Why can’t Christopher Owens beat out Brent Grimes? We have all these little corners. Chevis Jackson is our biggest corner but he isn’t very fast. We should have addressed this problem earlier.

Wow.

October 25th, 2009
11:00 pm

Wow. You Atlanta fans can’t see the forest for the trees. Brooking has been acting that way (cheerleading, etc) in EVERY game this season, not just against Atlanta. As a Dallas fan, I would know – I’ve seen every game. Take off your Falcons-colored glasses awhile and realize that what Brooking has been doing isn’t showing up Atlanta – it’s called leadership. There’s a reason he wears the C on a Dallas team full of veterans. Get off your high horses.

Pamela

October 25th, 2009
11:00 pm

The Falcons made some mistakes today just like the Steelers and the Patriots have. This loss will be good for them to re-examine and work on what needs to be fixed. I did not see vastly superior play. I still prefer the Falcons over the Cow girls. They will flame out when we have recuperated. Remember last year. They will actually believe they are good. Their coach still seems bewildered. Coach Mike Smith is far more introspective. Good teams lose games too. We are not the Panthers, the Browns etc. Does 37-0 by the NY Jets make them the dream team again? Atlanta, stand by our Falcons…..We know the Monday morning quarterbacks like Jeff will be writing all week long while our team will be taking their licks. Let us be classy and move forward. We are not quitters.

DJ The Realist

October 25th, 2009
11:06 pm

Get over it crybabies…every former player gets a big kick out of beating his former team. Congrats to Keith Brooking..while he’s not a difference maker he held his own. The Dallas defense mauled Atlanta today. I’m really not sure what kind of team we have…when I heard the local sports talk guys proclaiming that the Falcons organization was better than Dallas ( right now )..I knew we were in big trouble.Now it’s time to see what the Falcons are made of….Here come the Saints!!

Driver 8

October 25th, 2009
11:07 pm

Looks like the secondary we saw in the preseason vs San Diego. They did a remarkable job shoring things up to start the season, but with the loss of Williams, they are pretty much that same group again- with predictable results.

Turner definetly isn’t running downhill, but truthfully he hasn’t had a lot of plowed road.

Brooking is a Tech guy, always gracious in victory. You win, you can do whatever you want-doesn’t mean it’s classy.

GaFB

October 25th, 2009
11:07 pm

Falcons need to fix their problems and quick, they’ve still got plenty of good teams left to play and more slip ups could easily cost them a winning season and a playoff appearance.

JB

October 25th, 2009
11:11 pm

Turner’s not the biggest problem. OL couldn’t pass protect or run block. DL can’t pressure the QB. Corners are weak.

FalconFan

October 25th, 2009
11:12 pm

The Falcons did not look good today. The entire team including Mattie Ice had issues. When the line did protect him, he made poor decisions. For the first time, he looked like a second year player.

My biggest concern is the lack of a pass rush.

You true Falcon fans, stay behind your team. The Falcons will continue to win and make the playoffs.

Like many of you, I agree Brookings had no impact on the game. On Weems touchdown catch, Brookings looked just like he did in the Arizona Playoff game last season – CONFUSED.

GO FALCONS

Josh

October 25th, 2009
11:12 pm

If we want to compete for a wildcard, we better sit Turner down NOW and start SNelling before Turner dig us deeper. Our play action is our best passing plays, and nobody bites on them cause I run game needs no more respect. Also, You got to put in Owens and Tye Hill, there is no way in the world their worst then those two boneheads that played today (Chris “No Neck” Houston or Brent “2lbs” Grimes)

R.U.KIDDINME

October 25th, 2009
11:13 pm

HEY DJ,AIN’T NO CRYIN’ ABOUT k.b. HERE! JUST SAYING HE WAS BIT OVERBOARD IN HIS UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR!! IF I’MA CRYIN’ IT’S DUE TO THE FACT WE GOT OUR ARSSES HANDED TO US TODAY!!! THAT’S THE REALIST IN ME!!

Josh

October 25th, 2009
11:14 pm

I think we have to fight for that winning season a little more than what we thought, and Playoffs is out of the question and even if we do go….There is no way we win with that secondary…PERIOD!

Ted Striker

October 25th, 2009
11:15 pm

Most criticizing Brooking’s harmless arm-flap are likely bloggers who took verbal shots at Brooking when he was a Falcon.

I was pulling for the Birds but I have no problem with Brook enjoying himself.

Falcons Hero Zero

October 25th, 2009
11:18 pm

“When he and anyone else is stopped behind the line of scrimmage, that indicates the blocking up front has failed.”

Yep. The work on The O-Line is not complete… They have a good scheme.. Somebody is secretly hurt, or tired..

I think that Turner should drop some lbs.(bulk), but The Falcons don’t seem to have confidence in their deep passing game, nor do they punish opposing teams for watching for the run. Get those defenders to drop back away from the line of scrimmage!

Teams should scheme for Turner because if he beats you early with the run, it’s going to be a long blow-out..

Secondary, D-Line, and O-Line..Plays….always with the problems with this team.

Falcons Hero Zero

October 25th, 2009
11:21 pm

Falcons offense could be “tipping-off” the run as well… They need to study themselves more closely on DVD..

thunderbull56

October 25th, 2009
11:21 pm

Lotta cheap shots,lotta cheap officiating, lotta cheap Brooking.He, of the lead’s the team in tackles,5,10,15 yards down the field,a la Nobis and his fabled pred’s.Good riddance Brookie and may you, the AJC’s Homers, and T Roy Aicche Munnn live Happily ever after in Cowbouiy Valhalla! Pardon me while I Puke on you and ‘T Roy’s KLEETS.Not a Vegas kinda fan, but , 2 outta 3,3 outta 4,4 outta 5,Feather Heads win.No one asked but,Snelling and Finneran deserve more credit and clutch player awards.Finneran for GUVNR Snelling for Ltnt.

MV777777

October 25th, 2009
11:22 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
ITS ALL STARTS WITH MATT RYAN(NOODLE ARM) MATTIICE (MELTED)

Atl Resident

October 25th, 2009
11:23 pm

To keep it real, that game was Ryan’s fault and it needs to be said. Falcons was playing okay until he fumbled. Yeah Turner didnt run well, but Ryan’s turnovers was the main factor. That needs to be said and since no one is talking about it. It’s no one else to blame but him. Oh by the way, White saved Ryan by catching that pass which almost got intercepted for which would have been another turnover.

MV777777

October 25th, 2009
11:24 pm

THE GOLDENBOY MATTIICE
S
U
C
K
S
!
!

Samuel

October 25th, 2009
11:28 pm

Matt Ryan didn’t have a good game,the offense other than their first drive in which they scored seemed out of sync. We just don’t have the corners to play man to man and our cornerbacks aren’t tall and most of these receiver their up against are over six feet tall.There were plays where we almost got to Romo and missed him and he made the big play down field. We need Jerius Norwood’s speed bad, but he can’t seem to stay on the field. Will Coach Smith activate Antone Smith? To help with the running game. If we don’t fix some problems fast, It’s going to be a long night in the Big Easy. The Saints are very good -we got to bring our A Game if wer’e going to have a chance.Go Falcons….

RDNYB

October 25th, 2009
11:29 pm

Brooking is an A hole. Pure and simple he was doing the same thing Jeff George did with the bird flap. Totally Classless. I ripped his Poster off my son’s room after the game. That being said Grimes has no business starting. He is too short as are all of the secondary players. Dmitroff need’s to be on the phones trying to acquire secondary help or pick up someone whose at home because that is our biggest weakness. And how many weeks does it take to learn a defense Tye Hill? Try calling the Redskins and get D. Hall back. Or Ty Law. Or for that matter Charles Dimry. BTW..Im a Vick fan, but Matt Ryan is doing a sensational job. With that im out.

MV777777

October 25th, 2009
11:31 pm

AUTHUR BLANK!!!
BAD MISTAKE
SHOULD HAVE KEPT D.DJ SHOCKELY!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND MICHAEL VICK!!!
DAM!!!

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:33 pm

I have being hearing this chump being compared to Peyton Manning, and for the 2nd week in a row, his QB RATING has been in the 60s

68 vs Chicago

66 vs Dallas

How on Earth do you pass that low and be compared to one of the greatest passers in NFL history. You people ragged on Vick for his 74 QB RATING but that is a lot higher than what this chump has put up against 2 mediocre teams.

Now they are trying to put it all on Turner and all of last year, the credit was given to ole NOODLE ARM, but when he stinks up the place, it’s always Turner, White, the defense, offensive line or the damn cheer leaders, but not once has this double A quarterback has been blamed for anything and everybody with a lick of sense knows why.

He is the BUST that I knew he was when he got drafted and he is being exposed and it will get even worse for the next 4 weeks.

Falcons Hero Zero

October 25th, 2009
11:34 pm

People wanted blitzing from the LBs, CBs, and Safeties, but the Falcons do not have that kind of personnel there.

You need a good set of cover CBs. A D-Line with size that can stop the run alone (even though they may not be great pass-rushers)

You need fast LBs with range as blitzers..

Former Falcons LBs like Boley were good for that.. These LBs must support a light D-Line that is supposed to get to The QB for them to “clean-up the mess”. These are some large LBs..

Zone-blitzing and over-rotating…? Eh.. No.

This D-line needs to bring more pressure.

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:38 pm

They put the game on Ryan’s shoulders and he couldn’t get it done. End of story. He simply can’t function without a running game, which isn’t unusual. That’s where Vick is a difference maker….a couple broken plays that can be converted to 1st downs….Ryan can’t do that, and doesn’t have the arm to stretch the field. yeah….Ryan will be accurate, but the will be short, timing type passes. Enjoy Trent Edwards 2.0

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:42 pm

THE TOUR OF EX-FALCONS VENGENCE CONTINUES………..

Brooking (Cowboys)…………….DONE

Boley (Giants)…………..COMING

Vick (Eagles)………………COMING

D-Hall (Redskins)…………..COMING

Just like with Deion, if you want to win a Lombardi Trophy, you have to leave the Falcons and Brooking, Boley, D Hall or Vick’s odds just increased by being cut from this LOSER City.

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 25th, 2009
11:42 pm

WILL THE REAL MATT RYAN STAND UP! OPPS, I THINK HE JUST DID….. The truth will eventually prevail, DJ Shockley was the better QB, but never got a fair shot……Thomas Dimitroff, you will eventually be on the clock….preciate the remodeling job u did, but this isn’t New England. Ya’ll know what I’m talking bout, good supporting cast, solid QB. but a bit overrated……

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:43 pm

I have to admit, Matt “CHOKE” Ryan, Ryan’s arm looked “tired”. once they started laying that wood on him, he had the “deer in headlights” look. I won’t call Ryan a bust, but he’s not a great as they say he is or the Falcon “fans” have hyped him up to be.

Also, of course its not Ryan’s fault they Falcons got their asses whooped….. let’s blame last year’s team MVP M.Turner!!!! LOL. Same ol’ Falcon fans, LMAO

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:43 pm

BACK-TO-BACK 60 “QB RATING”………..

Enough said……………

BUST

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:45 pm

@Matt “CHOKE” Ryan

You crack me up man,lmao

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:47 pm

The Saints are going to mop the floor with these clowns,lol

Dec 6th……”The Day Of Rekoning”

Atlanta Peach

October 25th, 2009
11:48 pm

Matt Choke Ryan, are you African American ?! It sure sounds like it ! Are you angry Micheal Vick is no longer in this city ?! Talk to me quick ! Let me know !

Falcons Hero Zero

October 25th, 2009
11:49 pm

Love Vick for the excitement..

Can’t use Manning in an argument of Vick vs. Ryan.. It just doesn’t make sense.

Vick was beginning to be hit..often.. The Giants and Browns in 2006. That is where his passing was supposed to improve.. The Falcons O-Line and WRs did not help, but he admitted that he was not studying and preparing.

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:49 pm

@Jeff Schultz

Cmon man….you lay all of the blame at Turner’s feet?

Last year you were speaking of him like he was the 2nd coming, yet Ryan gets a pass. I thought you were better than that…..

You’re still my favorite writer though…

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:50 pm

Atlanta Peach

Whether I am pink, blue, purple or orange, won’t change the results of today’s football game.

I’m American baby

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:51 pm

“Vick was beginning to be hit..often.. The Giants and Browns in 2006. That is where his passing was supposed to improve.. The Falcons O-Line and WRs did not help, but he admitted that he was not studying and preparing.”

And he is still the best player we ever had,lol

Barry Jay

October 25th, 2009
11:52 pm

Actually, for those blaming Ryan…it’s kinda hard to pass when your O Line is not protecting you. Dallas did a good job in coverage too. They played their best game of the season. Our big problem on offense was the O Line and Turner. Turner has definitely slowed. I think he needs to lose a few pounds to get a little quickness back.

I have long been a Brooking fan. I think he brought something positive to the team. But I too was angered at what he did today. He makes two tackles and acts like a jerk. His play today reminded me of his last couple of years with Atlanta. Brooking has never acted that way on the sideline…and we Atlanta fans should know…he was here ten years. Brooking lost a fan today.

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:52 pm

Atlanta Peach

Take off your Matt Ryan sunglasses. he deserved to be blamed too…. Let’s be real here

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:52 pm

Just so you people know, in Mike Vick’s 2nd season they won their 1st playoff game.

Well this is Matt Ryan’s 2nd season – can’t use the rookie excuse anymore.

Let’s see if he can match Mike Vick’s 2nd season.

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 25th, 2009
11:54 pm

VICK SUPPORTER – I don’t normally blog, but I I feel you 110%, been feeling you…..& Good Luck DJ……& B4 ya’ll start – I’ve been w/ the Falcons since Bubba Bean, Haskel Stanback, Bartkowski, Pridemore, Curry & Kuykendall so I’ve been a fan (Bring back Dewey Mcclain) I dont play no games, but I know that DJ Shockley was not given a fair shot& ws the better QB…..Get Rid of Dimitroff

PMC

October 25th, 2009
11:54 pm

It’s just one game, one loss. Even if they lost this one and on the road in NO next week it’s still not a big deal. This is a good team and likely a playoff team with a lot of serious and obvious flaws. One of those flaws is not the pile jumper who still has yet to make an impact play in his entire career. He can talk smack all day they won the game but this team is better off without Keith Brooking. The guy made roughly what 60 million dollars playing here… wow. 5 pro bowls. That’s exceptional. Ok Falcons Fans you watched this guy for more than a decade… pull out 10 exceptional plays where he changed a game and or a season…. Go!

Yeah. It was pretty tough for me too.

This is one game. Tough loss, but this is a game dallas HAD to win and the talent on our defense is still quite lacking especially in the secondary. You can’t get too down about this one except it does tell us that definitively they don’t think I guess Tye Hill can play at all because Chris Houston is killing them in coverage and Brent Grimes is lucky to be on an NFL roster much less starting. This team has to be lead by the offense and the Dallas D line ripped our guys apart tonight. It happens. It’s the NFL. Time to regroup, focus and get ready for Monday night. Still no reason to doubt or put limitations on this team…

Would have been nice if Michael Jenkins could have made a catch or 3 that hit him in the hands today…too.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:54 pm

My prediction for the Saints game:

Saints 55

Falcons 7

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:55 pm

@Barry Jay

“Actually, for those blaming Ryan…it’s kinda hard to pass when your O Line is not protecting you”

What do you think happened when Vick was here?!? you people were PRAISING THE O-LINE just a couple of weeks ago,lol.

Just like when Vick was here, the blame is placed at the QB when he played here….why should it change now? They put the game on Ryan’s shoulders and he FAILED MISERABLY. The dude couldn’t throw over 10 yds

Atlanta Peach

October 25th, 2009
11:56 pm

Oh yeah ! I know number 2 messed it up today ! But, Micheal Vick did it to hiself ! He must have been the stupidest negro that ever lived !! No fault but his own !!

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:57 pm

Atlanta Peach

That was a lame attempt – anybody with a lick of sense knows you are as closed to being black as Condeleesa Rice

Vick Supporter

October 25th, 2009
11:58 pm

Dec 6th……………..

PMC

October 26th, 2009
12:00 am

For the record, it looked like when he got decent blocking Turner ran fine. They weren’t keying on Snelling. Dallas has a ridiculously talented team… the best money can buy save some of that crap they trot out at linebacker…. but you can get away with old and slow when you have athletes on the line and in the secondary. Two weeks off and at home…. is a huge advantage…. though I wonder why smitty chose to go conservative again with 8 minutes left in the game and punt to a defense that couldn’t stop anything this week and why Mularky would not choose to go no huddle more often this week when it works so well everytime they use it.

It’s time to see if Tye Hill and Chris Owens have some ball skills. I have no idea if they can tackle but Houston and Grimes are getting absolutely abused. Some changes have to be made.

Vanilla Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:01 am

After Matt Ryan’s performance this season, I am embarrassed to be a white woman. It’s hard enough that we suck at sports and he get’s 72-million dollar contract and he stinks up the place.

He has got to be the most stupid whitey I have ever seen.

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:01 am

You want to make it a race game with me ?!!

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:02 am

@ Atlanta Peach (11:48) – I’m African-American, what’s your point, the fact is the kid is overrated, he’s solid but overrated it is what it is…The bes QB sqrewed himself by fighting dawgs (his fault) & the better QB for this team was put on the practice squad to make room for JOHN PARKER WILSON (r u serious) & then cut because he could actually be a threat to these new Falcon UTOPIA……GOODLUCK W/ MEDIOCRITY

Scott

October 26th, 2009
12:02 am

For God’s sake would the AJC actually pay some 14 year old kid to moderate these blogs? It’s the SAME freaking idiots every time with some ill thought out agenda that basically make it unreadable within 30 minutes…ie…Vick Supporter, Matt “Choke” Ryan, and whatever aliases these idiots use. Hate to tell ya, Mike Vick isn’t coming back…so grow up and move on.

Flappin' Falcon

October 26th, 2009
12:02 am

The Cowboys had 2 weeks to prepare for a home game along with Brooking’s knowledge of our offense…Dallas better win. This Bye-Week BS is only half way over, folks. We get Washington and the Giants on 2 weeks rest too. Thank goodness our schedule gets easy after the Saints game. Brooking can kiss my Balzac.

roger

October 26th, 2009
12:03 am

and you don’t think Michael Vick is overrated just because he has moves??? what did vick do for us??? absolutely nothing except embarrassing the city of Atlanta.He had his chance here!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:04 am

Didn’t I say Matt Ryan is overrated ?! Yes I did !! Go back and read my posts !!

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
12:04 am

SCOTT

BOO HOO HOO………Suck it up girl and take off those pink panties

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
12:05 am

@Scott

Is it not a free country? lol

Scott

October 26th, 2009
12:05 am

Matt “Choke” Ryan. Suck it up and realize that Mike Vick paved his own way out of town and that he’s NOT coming back…no matter how much you whine and act like a baby about it.

roger

October 26th, 2009
12:06 am

and Brooking was absolutely Classless today, I am sure GT is happy for his two tackle performance and all his dancing around

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
12:07 am

roger

October 26th, 2009
12:03 am
and you don’t think Michael Vick is overrated just because he has moves??? what did vick do for us??? absolutely nothing except embarrassing the city of Atlanta.He had his chance here!

“Since you asked”

3 Pro Bowls

1 2nd place finish in MVP voting

2 Playoff wins

1 Conference final

1st qb in NFL history to beat Green Bay on road in playoffs

Want more?

Ryan has a “choke” in the playoffs and 1 and done

dog killa

October 26th, 2009
12:07 am

my fellow brothers, what song you tink we goan be playin when we come down to whip your ass in december, “who let da dogs out”

Just-Sayin

October 26th, 2009
12:08 am

J.Schultz you are WRONG (this time)…it dose not start with Turner, it starts with the quarterback Mr. Matty Ice!!! I understand that Turner isn’t having the stellar year that he did last year but ‘who does?’….I’m tired of everyone kissing Ryans’ behind when they win and blaming someone else when they lose…the fact is Matt Ryan has made too many turnovers every game they have lost (or have barely won) Matt always throws interceptions. It starts with Matt Ryan. My compliments to our defense good job (considering what you have to work with) but it must be addressed in the draft

StingerSplash

October 26th, 2009
12:08 am

I thought Tony Gonzalez was supposed to help this offense.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
12:08 am

Can we keep the comments about the “CURRENT” qb?

He sucks that’s why

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
12:08 am

dog killa, lol.

your comment was funny

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:08 am

And Matt choker Ryan, you are as close of being a racist as your 43rd president !!

Scott

October 26th, 2009
12:09 am

Why don’t all the Vick fans go blog on the Philly papers? Oh wait, because noone on there gives a crap about their 3rd string QB..lol. And Vick Supporter, it IS a free country obviously since you’re free to make yourself look like an idiot every time you post.

roger

October 26th, 2009
12:09 am

I still don’t see Super Bowl Champion!

CHRIS HOUSTON

October 26th, 2009
12:09 am

WHY IS BODY PICK’EN ON ME? IM TIRED OF GETTING BEAT EVERY GAME!!!

Falcons Hero Zero

October 26th, 2009
12:09 am

I just saw what Brooking…wow..lololol.

He turned into The Rock on the sidelines, but good for him. According to the latest AJC.com interview after the game, he felt that The Falcons staff insulted him. I doubt that his former Falcon teammates did the same though.. It’s good.. This should motivate The Falcons.

Looks like he may be in trouble with the locals though..

His number will still be retired here….? lol. Probably.

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:10 am

@ Scott – We know Michael Vick isn’t coming back, big deal….We do know however that DJ Shockley was the best QB on this roster since 2007 & the new regime cut him for Ryan, Redman, & Parker-Wilson…….”PREPARE FOR MEDIOCRITY, OK” Boston College, Louisville, Bama all > UGA…….How you like that…………

President Obama

October 26th, 2009
12:10 am

Atlanta Peach

I own you now go make me some money ho

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
12:11 am

Scott

You need to look in the mirror.

Also, vick rules over there too.

vick will have his chance again. he will shine again, and it just may be Dec 6th.

“The Great Mike Vick Has Returned”

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:12 am

Were the falcons supposed to have waited until vick get out of jail ?! Hell to the No !!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:13 am

No Pres, I owe you more !!

President Obama

October 26th, 2009
12:13 am

Atlanta Peach

You should be seen not heard, shut up stupid wench

Barry Jay

October 26th, 2009
12:13 am

Scott,

I do agree with you…I wish the ajc would get someone to moderate these blogs and ban those whose intent is to disrupt the conversation. The vick supporter morons are just trying to get people to respond to them or, and this is just as likely, they are too stupid to actually converse and respect the opinion of others.

With that said, the best course is to ignore them. I don’t even read a post with the name “vick” or “noodle arm” or “choke” in it. Don’t respond and let them talk to themselves.

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:15 am

Do something !! You are soo bad behind your computer !!! Do something !!

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
12:16 am

Barry Jay

BOO HOO HOO

Stop whining you little BIATCH

tom

October 26th, 2009
12:16 am

Questionable play calling. 8 min left and 4th and 2 and they punt? They are way behind. Plus the punt return turned into a touchdown. Third and 6 and they throw a 4 yard pass. Grimes needs to sit. He is too small to match up. The killed him today. If Turner cannot get the yards, try something different. If his feelings get hurt, so what. Poor tackling all day. When will the defensive backs start really tackeling. They throw their bodies at someone and expect them to fall down.Use your arms.

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:17 am

Scott “YOUR NEW ATLANTA FALCONS” actually suck…..its not “exciting, I have to watch the game Falcons today” football- Let’s just be honest, “GUY” – BC, Louisville, Bama all > UGA………How do you love that!

PMC

October 26th, 2009
12:17 am

I don’t know what Keith Brooking was looking for. The guy played a decade here and is obviously in decline. They even let him have a press conference. He was a very solid outside linebacker for 5 of the 10 years and the Falcons vastly overpaid the heck out of him for his work.

This guy basically got paid management money for showing up to work every week. Ooooh but he’s a “locker room guy” he’s a leader.

Yeah ok. He’s one reason this team struggled for so long. Our defensive “star” is the guy in the kitchen cutting up food while the good teams are paying guys who make impact plays in the backfield not guys who get off the ground and get ready for 2nd and 2.

Barry Jay

October 26th, 2009
12:17 am

On Brooking: I hope Atlanta never retires his number. His ridiculous, unprofessional behavior was not only a slap in the face to the franchise who paid him beyond his productivty, it was also moronic coming from a guy who had two takles in the game. Wow…he really showed up the Falcons management by proving just what they gave up.

Scott

October 26th, 2009
12:18 am

As a realistic Falcons fan, and aside from all the Vick related crap, Ryan DID have a crappy game today. The INT didn’t lead to Cowboys points though, and you can’t really put a fumble on your QB when his offensive line decides to play revolving door. That being said, he didn’t throw any particularly good balls today, but again, the lack of a running game is killing this team. I’m not pinning it all on Turner, but something’s got to change and if Snelling keeps looking good, give him more carries.

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:19 am

Come over to the south side and try to slap me !! Come on !!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:19 am

I’m still here !

Mike65

October 26th, 2009
12:20 am

The Falcons looked awful today starting with Matt Ryan,you never see Peyton or Brady scared to throw the ball down field but Ryan is he looks like hes scared to take deep shots down the field.And Turner slow A$$ looks ridiculous.The secondary is bad starting with Grimes and Houston your not going to stop many teams with them at corner.And Brooking old washed up A$$ showed why we let him go in the first place.

Trill

October 26th, 2009
12:23 am

This team is going down hill very fast.
can’t block,tackle,catch,cover or coach this year.We have been very lucky so far and the luck is running out.

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:26 am

@ Scott u sound a bit rational, its really not as polarizing as many make it out to be. The kid is solid, just not as good as the PR he gets……Contrary to popular belief Shockley is the better QB & many people know this. As you all may recall, once DJ made what may be considered a controversial statement that he should be starting & will start, he was cut…..FIRE DIMITROFF & SMITH, BRING BACK REEVES

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:27 am

And I am telling you, I’m not going !

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:29 am

U PEOPLE R HILARIOUS! BC, Louisville, & Bama > GA……..How u luv that

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:31 am

LMAO !!!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:33 am

No matter who is playing quaterback for the falcon, the african americans are going to support this team !

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:34 am

Quarterback !

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:35 am

Crickets chirping……..

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:37 am

I guess I got him told !!

CAN U SAY OVER-RATED

October 26th, 2009
12:37 am

@ Barry Jay (12:13am) well buddy I hate to inform, but it appears the Vick Supporters actually got u to respond……C’mon Buddy, I know that u’re smarter than that

Mike65

October 26th, 2009
12:39 am

The Falcons looked awful starting with Matt Ryan he seems like hes scared to throw the ball down field.Turner slow A$$ looks like hes running in slow motion everytime he gets the ball it seem like it takes days for him to get out of the back field something I didnt see last yr.Grimes and Houston suck they need to upgrade the CB position.

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:42 am

What happened to the President ?! I guess Michele wanted some !! You go Girl !!

Barry Jay

October 26th, 2009
12:44 am

On Brooking: His behavior today was unprofessional and slap in the face to the organization who paid him far beyond his productivty. His childish antics were made more ridiculous by the fact that his two tackles just proved Atlanta’s point in releasing him.

Barry Jay

October 26th, 2009
12:46 am

Enter your comments here

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:49 am

The eleven alive guys are not hopeful for the falcons right now ! Rightly soo !!

Barry Jay

October 26th, 2009
12:49 am

I agree with those who were offended by Brooking today.
His behavior was unprofessional and a slap in the face to the organization who overpaid him far beyond his productivity. It was a slap in the face to the fans, like mysel, who have always supported him. And what made it worse…it was a slap in his own face. Making only two tackles just proved Atlanta’s point in releasing him.

Falcons Hero Zero

October 26th, 2009
12:50 am

Next Monday Night should be a bye week..lololol. It won’t be pretty.

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:55 am

Author Blanks is willing to spend his money so why haven’t we got the players to get to the next level ?! I haven’t given up yet but……..

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
12:56 am

Damn ! Author Blank.

BirdDawg

October 26th, 2009
12:58 am

I’m a Falcons fan, period. And as bad as Matt Ryan played, I will make the same argument for Matty Ice as I used to make for MV7…IT IS HARD TO BE AN EFFECTIVE QUARTERBACK WITH A TOILET PAPER OFFENSIVE LINE!!! And until the someone in the Falcons’ front office recognizes the need to upgrade the talent on this line, the Falcons are going to continue to have the same problems. How many times this year has Matt been put in 2nd or 3rd and long because of some idiot lineman drawing a penalty? Or worse yet, every single time he’s been sacked, there has been an offensive lineman less than two feet away watching him get sacked. Sure, you can say he hadn’t been sacked much this year, but that’s because they run quick hit passes that don’t require much blocking from the line. Whenever blocking for more than 2 seconds has been necessary, the line falls apart. The line has been doing it with smoke and mirrors and changing blocking schemes is only going to work for so long. Eventually, you are going to have to get some talent to keep your quarterback healthy and open holes for your running back. Not even Peyton Manning and Steven Jackson could have sustained success behind this line. Smoke and mirrors are great until the smoke clears and the mirrors crack…then you gotta play football.

not a uga fan anyway

October 26th, 2009
12:59 am

Hey, Guys! How about some coverage for the N. Y. Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY’RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job, Guys! And good luck in the World Series!!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
1:02 am

Let the trash talking begin between the Stankies and the Lillies !!!!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta Peach

October 26th, 2009
1:04 am

Matt the Choker, where are you ?! Oh, I forgot you have to get up early to hop on the Dump trunk ! Nice job !!

Atl Resident

October 26th, 2009
1:21 am

Matt “CHOKE” Ryan

October 25th, 2009
11:42 pm
THE TOUR OF EX-FALCONS VENGENCE CONTINUES………..

Brooking (Cowboys)…………….DONE

Boley (Giants)…………..COMING

Vick (Eagles)………………COMING

D-Hall (Redskins)…………..COMING

Just like with Deion, if you want to win a Lombardi Trophy, you have to leave the Falcons and Brooking, Boley, D Hall or Vick’s odds just increased by being cut from this LOSER City.

Lol, I agree with Matt on this one. I’m glad somebody keeping this real. Just leave D-Hall out. Everyone who gets traded from Atl for no reason, wins somewhere else. It’s been that way for years. So we just now seeing the REAL beginning of this Ryan and QB issue.

JP

October 26th, 2009
1:42 am

Watching today’s game made me that much happier that Atlanta got rid of Keith Brooking. The Falcons need an idiot redneck linebacker that can’t play pass defense and who — to borrow a page from Peyton Manning’s book — behaved and spoke like he got liquored up 15 minutes before the game, as much as our players need holes in their heads, or a convict at quarterback.

“We bloodied their noses, and then we stepped on them, and then we kicked them into the ground, so that’s a good feeling.” — Keith Brooking postgame press conference.

Daaaaaaannnng. Bitter, a lil’, Keith?

Don’t be. Save some of that rage. After all, you’ll need it for when Tony Romo chokes your season away later this year.

Brooking had two tackles for the game. Two. The only possible reason I can think of that would give him the right to be trash talking after that performance is if he spent the rest of his time ferrying Gator Ade to Miles Austin between plays.

If Keith Brooking wanted to stay in Atlanta, maybe he should have learned how to keep practice squad tight ends from converting a third-and-forever in the playoffs.

All I can say is, the Cowboys’ annual collapse will be a whole lot more satisfying this season.

As for Michael Turner, the guy looks like he either has something horribly wrong with him, or he has totally phoned it in.

90 percent of the runs I see from him consist of him shuffling up to the line like his ankles are tied together, followed by him immediately falling backwards — or if we’re lucky, sideways — the instant someone makes contact with him.

I get that he’s not a game-breaker, but when you’re that thick, you at least need to be able to break tackles.

You shouldn’t be hitting that running back wall for a 3 or 4 more years, Michael, so how about you get your act together sometime soon?

bird

October 26th, 2009
1:53 am

GTJackets,
What the heck are you talking about? The person you’re responding to didnt even mention Vick!

Ann Arbor Thriller: Unranked Michigan Tops Notre Dame with 11 … « DIY Projects

October 26th, 2009
1:59 am

[...] Falcons' charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner | Jeff … [...]

The Grinch

October 26th, 2009
2:05 am

The Falcons looked absolutely pathetic today. I have stated in the past and still believe we’re moving in the right direction, and God knows the schedule is brutal. Two NFC teams off bye weeks followed by the Saints on the road and then two more teams off bye weeks is obscene. Nonetheless, they played very poorly. The Cowboys tried as hard as they could to give this game away and only took it when it became obvious we didn’t want it. Just like the New England game, when we’re on the road and in a big stadium not only does the team play poorly, but Smitty/Mularkey coach scared. I have no idea why they suddenly play conservative, unimaginative, try just to keep the score close football when they’re so bold and creative otherwise. They’re apparently still learning the ropes like Ryan. And let’s be honest, he looked like crap today just like almost everyone else. The only person who had a good game for us was Jamal %$#^-ing Anderson, and I’m not sure what that says.
Every team has the occasional off game, and I expect Ryan, the O-line and the coaching staff to recover and do well. Let’s not forget we were out Mughelli and Norwood as well.
However, Turner looks like he may have been a one year wonder, Tony Gonzalez has become a non-factor for whatever reason and our defensive secondary couldn’t cover Parkview High. The first two I hope can be fixed; the last problem isn’t going to go away. How Dimitroff let the deadline go without addressing the CB problem is perplexing. We’ll be lucky as hell to go 9-7 if that problem isn’t fixed.

Whatever

October 26th, 2009
2:14 am

Dang. Calm down. The Falcons will be fine. Brooking’s lame. Goodnight all.

myra

October 26th, 2009
2:18 am

I could care less what Brooking did. The guy has heart! He played for this city for years and he loves it here. And we shoved him out like we did David Justice,Dominique,Glavin. These guys were our guys!
Nobody gets that pizzed off and excited unless they r hurt. Im glad for Brooking that he felt a little revenge.
Its ok Brook ur still a Falcon 4 life.

As for game, please don’t forget BIG D had a week off to prepare. They got rested,healed up,and watched a lot of film on us. Them winning is bigger to them than us losing.( We hope) We also played a tough game against CHI town.
I expected BOYS to play good…..didn’t expect us to no-show and look out of sink.
Good luck to BiRDS 4 next week.

Fin

October 26th, 2009
2:41 am

Hmmm, I’m concerned that more people seem to be upset about Brooking being excited about a win than our poor performance this week. We have two receivers that are 6′4..why are we not just throwing slants ALL DAY! Jenkins and Finneran always get the position so why are we not using that to our advantage like EVERY team does against our CB’s.

As for Turner, there is a year of film on him which is why people are keying on him. Any def coordinator worth his salt knows that Turner LOVES the cutback lanes and looks for them on EVERY RUN! If you close up the cutback lanes, there is nowhere to run. Snelling doesn’t have the film on him, that’s why he looked good. The line MUST open up some better holes and get to the 2nd line of defense and put a hand on someone. Miami has the tape on how to beat the Saints, we just have to execute. And can someone PLEASE REMIND MULARKEY ABOUT OUR NO HUDDLE and it’s effectiveness!

Najeh Davenpoop

October 26th, 2009
3:42 am

Oh no, an opposing player made fun of the Falcons as his team blew them out. God forbid.

Keith Brooking busted his azz for over a decade for the Falcons, playing out of position for entire seasons, playing behind undersized and talent-deficient defensive lines, absorbing more punishment than linebackers typically should, and he was rewarded by being cut for a guy one year younger than him. He deserves his opportunity to mock the Falcons.

Steve

October 26th, 2009
5:19 am

The Falcons look bad Sunday when you don’t block or tackle well your not going to win. The Falcons defensive line needs to put heat on the opposing quarterback if not there small cornerbacks will get tourch. Mike Smith is a good coach so is his staff the falcons will have a winning record.

HATinGA

October 26th, 2009
5:23 am

I think the teams after a bye thing caught up with them, dallas looked like we looked in SF, why the leage made 1 team play 4 teams coming off byes is beyond me. And why did we punt down 2 scores with 8 mins left , it was 4th and 2 Smith has to try and pick that up, thats about the third time I can remember us punting at that time and score, the return should show him at that point in the game punting does nothing you are not trying to keep the score close you are tryin to win! Right?

drew berry

October 26th, 2009
5:56 am

I’m amazed that Falcons fans don’t realize their success is a mirage. Just look at the the record of the teams you have beaten. Additionally, your young promising quarterback is one of the real culprits as to why you didn’t win…he couldn’t deal with the heat. Finally, Brookings has been running up and down the sideline all year in Dallas games literally cheerleading both the offense and special teams. He has made play after play in games and is a major upgrade to what Dallas had in Zach Thomas. Get over it and prepare to get crushed, crumbled and dismantled by the Saints.

Felix the Cat

October 26th, 2009
5:56 am

GT Grad……………….@#$% off.. Brooking is a jerk. Mr tackle down field after gaining 15 yards was a non factor yesterday. Yet he showed his true colors. Much like most GT people..Complete idiots. he needs to take his family and move out of atl cause he is no longer welcome.

Topp Dogg

October 26th, 2009
6:30 am

Just like GT fans Keith Brooking has no class.

zino

October 26th, 2009
6:33 am

O line couldn’t block.
D line couldn’t get any pressure. Why did we only blitz ONCE??(Which resulted in a sack)
Ryan looked scared.
Turner has concrete shoes.
Brooking has NO CLASS.
Saints will score 50 on the Birds D.
Falcons finish at 8-8 and the streak continues.

Ed Faron

October 26th, 2009
6:41 am

The blame starts with Turner?? BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now, that’s sheer comedy. Wow…..could you BE more obvious? Dang….it starts with Turner huh? Wow…just…wow.

Michael P

October 26th, 2009
6:43 am

Guys, i am shocked to hear no one question the play calling that has taken place all year long. As much praise as i hear the tv pundits shower Murlarky with, I am very unimpressed with the lack of continuity of the play calling. How stubborn do we have to be to see that the running game is not working. We must now establish the run by passing, and utilizing the weapons we have at the skill positions. Scrap the darn play action sweep passes and allow Ryan to back up and look downfield. Ryan, Tony is a beast, but jeesh look for your other reeceivers too. I am a falcons fan to the core, but I am very scared we may get our jocks handed to us next week. In addition,lets pick up a back off waivers soon. Bite the bullet and allow someone thats not afraid to hit the holes with a vengence…sadly its not turner….We look like “not ready for prime time players& coaches” Sunday….Pathetic…No need talking about the D and the Mini Me D-backs…you guys have covered that very well.

Manny

October 26th, 2009
6:45 am

It’s not Turner’s fault. It’s not even Matt Ryan’s fault. The problems started with the Offensive Line. That’s it, on offense.

I didn’t see any creases or holes that Turner could have went through. And our faster option (Norwood) didn’t play, so we couldn’t bounce it out to the outside. We only had an inside option at RB and the Cowboys defended it well.

And Matt Ryan was rushed. And then he got scared, because they were hitting him hard. And Ryan isn’t a running threat (unlike Vick, since people keep talking about him on here) so they just pinned their ears back and went after him. The offensive line was being bull-rushed into the QB, and it would be difficult for anyone to get their passes off.

On the defensive side, our tackling was terrible. Plus, our secondary needs immediate help. When Grimes is our best option at corner, we know that we are going to get torched. It’s not that he’s a bad corner, but he’s not a shut-down corner. He’s still too young and inexperienced. What needs to happen is to put Grimes on the weaker WR and find a corner for the better WR. And Chris Houston needs to sit down. He’s just not very good. And the D-line couldn’t cover that up with pressuring the QB.

So those are our holes… actually two players, sitting on the bench- badly needed: Jerious Norwood (to be a threat on the flats and the corners- thus opening up gaps on the interior)- and Brian Williams (who was our best, most experienced corner.)

What I want to see for next week: another corner coming to the Falcons and Norwood’s hip getting better. If we can get that, we have a shot. Without it, we have no shot at beating the Saints.

Manny

October 26th, 2009
6:56 am

Oh, and you know what I loved about this game? Keith Brooking! You know why? Because he celebrated this win like he won the Super Bowl. And he didn’t really do much, but he was just so excited!

Yes! We finally have us a villain! He was celebrating beating a team that was banged up. He beat a team with glaring holes. And he was celebrating it like it was the playoffs. And he admitted it: He REALLY wanted to beat the Falcons! (It’s so cute to see him celebrate so hard that even his teammates were looking at him like “Relax, man! It’s only the regular season.” His poor little heart must have been crushed that he’s no longer a Falcon.)

Yep, this is great! I would love to see him again in the playoffs (if they make it that far.)

dd

October 26th, 2009
6:57 am

For the real sports fans, Atlanta got beat on both sides of the line of scrimmage. That’s where it starts. You don’t win up front, you usually lose.

A lot of you guys on here need to grow up. These blogs read like a bunch of kids playing tit for tat.

No one cares about your ignorant points of views. The past is gone. Act like you’ve got some sense.

Bill

October 26th, 2009
6:59 am

Bottom line, Falcons didn’t come to play yesterday and Dallas did. They were generally whipped all over the field on offense, defense and special teams. Ryan didn’t play well, the offensive line didn’t play well, nobody played well. That’s going to happen in the NFL on any given Sunday – heck, Oakland even won a game recently. Hopefully, the Falcons will regroup and come back next week ready to kick butt and take names.

Gotta say, though, it’s going to be a long season if the Falcons can’t come up with anybody better than Brent Grimes to put out on the corner. He’s the complete player – can’t cover AND can’t tackle. Watching him repeatedly get used by and then bounce off of 200 pound wide receivers is embarrassing. It’s like watching a Jack Russell terrier trying to fight a Great Dane. Game, yes – competitive, no.

The really galling part, however, was the “homer” broadcast repeatedly showing Keith Brooking on the sidelines shooting his mouth off like he was Dallas’ spiritual leader. Two whole tackles, Keith. Outstanding performance for a starting “professional” linebacker. Next time, try letting your play on the field do your talking – any knucklehead can trash talk on the sidelines. No wonder Dimitroff sent you and your lead shoes packing

Manny

October 26th, 2009
7:01 am

Scott…

Also, just a matter of correction:

Michael Vick is the 2nd-string QB with the Philadelphia Eagles, not the 3rd. He was promoted a couple weeks ago. But he’s now a traditional backup- not playing in games unless something goes wrong with McNabb.

FalconPhil

October 26th, 2009
7:07 am

The falcons should have not let keith brooking go–he made them look like a fool.

Ross

October 26th, 2009
7:17 am

I wouldn’t panic – it’s the NFL – we took an ass whuppin’ but winning next week makes it all good.

mcgruff04

October 26th, 2009
7:30 am

Why are so many of you hating on Brooking? I’m sure if you get kicked out of the door by your employer you would want to stick it to them when you got the chance as well. I don’t think he’s has any less class than he had before he left. You guys are just overreacting. I don’t hear anyone saying Brett Favre has any less class when his whole reason for going to Minnesota was to have to opportunity to stick to Green Bay.

jacket3

October 26th, 2009
7:34 am

We just were terrible. No pass protection. No finding creases on the change of possessions – just straight up the middle. Pass routes 5 yards short. No running game. Romeo looked like Joe Namath….Ryan was completely out of rhythm. “D” backs? – well the entire defense was like Swiss cheese.

Got some work to do – a lot of it. Right now they might finish with a 9-7 record and that would be ok…but the Falcons are better than that – we all hope.

Hagood

October 26th, 2009
7:34 am

Never liked Brookingsssssssss…Over-rated Tech Nerd! Good riddance! Classless! I always hated that porn-star looking slow piece of garbage! And screw the Tech fans that still support him!

Go FALCONS!!

WTFyousay

October 26th, 2009
7:38 am

You gotta love the classless fans of Atlanta. Red neck beer drinking fools. Go to the Dome and sit on your hands as usual while real fans make noise and not beer burps at ball games. Can’t be that many people graduatiing, er dropping out of, Georgia.

cbo

October 26th, 2009
7:41 am

Brent Grimes big heart but he needs to be benched. Where is this Hill guy we picked up from the Rams. There are several CB still out there.Go get them plz. Before the SAINTS!

Dandy D

October 26th, 2009
7:49 am

All I want for Christmas is a Falcons Secondary. What we have now is not a secondary – it’s cheesecloth.

Jamaal Anderson…welcome to your destiny – DT. Keep on pluggin’.

Smith better turn into a magician quick if we’re gonna play in the same world as the Saints. Otherwise Brees is gonna turn our DB’s into pillars of clay.

Sautee Dawg

October 26th, 2009
7:52 am

Brookings= NO CLASS.

Richard Dawson

October 26th, 2009
8:01 am

Brooking is a classless Ga Tech thug.

Atticus

October 26th, 2009
8:03 am

F– Brooking. It’s one thing to want to beat your old team, I give him that. But that dude makes NO plays anymore. It’s not as though he made some big plays to help Dallas win. Be happy and show some class….. Not jumping around like an idiot showing your redneck a$$ over and over and over.

The Real Falcon

October 26th, 2009
8:05 am

When your quarterback has 4 turnovers it’s rather hard to win a football game in PeeWee much lest the NFL.
The truth hurts!

Chuckles Dimry

October 26th, 2009
8:14 am

Man my star pupils were great yesterday! It is just too bad that Brett’s incredible play has taken the limelight off of my best student, Chris Houston! Well, not everyone can win my trophy!

Pile Jumper = Non Factor

October 26th, 2009
8:18 am

LMAO! Other than talking trash, the Pile Jumper was a TOTAL non-factor in the game! Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back, Pile Jumper. Celebrate the win with your teammates, because they’re the folks responsible for it . . . NOT YOU!

Peadawg

October 26th, 2009
8:19 am

I should win my fantasy matchup b/c I got Brees and Colston in my lineup. Go Falcons though.

geno

October 26th, 2009
8:21 am

Im sorry guys, but Mike Smith is not head coaching championship material….Shanahan, Gruden, Cowher are available….Hey Dimitroff, heres a quick lesson on how to win a ring…….Wide recievers win championships( rice, ward, buress, swan, moss, irvin, etc ), yet you go and get a TE.??……Linebackers, corners and safteys win championships ( palamalou, sanders, bob and deon, ray lewis, teddy bruski, champ bailey, ronnie lott, rod woodson etc.) yet you draft a DL.? …..thanks….for nothing!

S.D. Lucke

October 26th, 2009
8:23 am

We fans of the 5 time Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys, want to thank Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and the rest of the overrated Atlanta Falcons for cutting our newest favorite linebacker Keith Brooking. 11 years in Atlanta, and you idiots STILL did’nt know what you had. A hard nosed player, sure tackler, emotional leader and player of great character. The Falcons have been an overhyped, pumped up team, with a qb who in nearly 1.5 seasons was made out to be the next coming of Johnny Unitas. What he and the Falcons fan base found out yesterday is that he’s not special. He’s not the next Unitas. More importantly that this Falcons team IS NOT better then the Cowboys! They got their collective butts kicked in all three phases of the game. Mike Smith defensive genius? I think not. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins top ranked receiving duo in the league? Are you serious? Tony Gonzalez the best TE in football? Was he even on the field yesterday? The Cowboys Offense shredded the “Dirty Turds” yesterday with an undrafted qb (Romo) and an undrafted wr (Miles Austin). Add in a castoff linebacker (Keith Brooking), a guy who was out of football the last 3 years until this season (Junior Siavii) and the most dominating defensive player on the field (Demarcus Ware) and you have the makings of a Super Bowl Contender. Keith Brooking was tremendous yesterday. You whining wimps want to say he showed no class? Look, this is the NFL. Trash talking happens, it’s a part of the game. However, it aint trash talking if you can back it up! You clowns are mad because Broooking and ‘The Boys, backed it up.You’re mad because you were sipping the Falcon Fool-Aid, thinking your team was better than they are. You’re mad because you actually thought that the “Dirty Turds” we’re gonna go into the greatest stadium on the planet and beat the Dallas Cowboys. You’re mad because Keith Brooking showed your team and your linebackers what being an NFL linebacker and a leader is. Face it Falcon fools, you’re not good. You’re qb is not special. You’re defense has more holes in it than a spaghetti strainer, and your offense is just ordinary. Now you can get ready to get your butts whipped by the Saints. You can live with the knowledge that the Cowboys started your 2009 demise. I am loving every moment over your hurt and dismay. Ok I’m done. Let the Falcon bitchfest continue! We now return you back to the ledge, where the Falcons fans prepare to jump off!

BLUE

October 26th, 2009
8:23 am

how has this blog gone this long without nobody calling out JOHN ABRAHAM has not made a play in 3 weeks looks very weak

Peadawg

October 26th, 2009
8:23 am

geno we lost one game, chill out. We should still go atleast 10-6 and make the playoffs.

Nite Owl

October 26th, 2009
8:26 am

Obviously lots of things went wrong for the Falcons yesterday, so we probably would’ve lost no matter what. Let me say that up front. It was a total team loss.

But the killer for me was that TD by Romo right before the half.

If we sack him, they have no timeouts and probably can’t get the FG unit out there in time. Only 10-7.

Then our opening TD drive in the 2nd half gets us a four-point lead, instead of us playing catch-up the rest of the game.

Say what you want, but when we’ve played with a lead in the second half, we’re a different team.

Like I said, maybe it wouldn’t have mattered, but it was really the turning point right there.

Oh, and I hope Keith Brooking wakes up today and realizes how many supporters he lost. Count me among them.

LoveMyFalcons

October 26th, 2009
8:26 am

Manny @6:45 and others…thanks for the intelligent responses. I had trouble wading through all the garbage to get to these last few comments from people that actually talked about the game. Love to read the stories and comments, but really would appreciate a moderator to dump the junk.

Tim

October 26th, 2009
8:28 am

Falcons have problems on defense, which most people anticipated going into the season. Secondary is poor and worse now with Williams out. Turner’s performance can’t really be explained. Pass rush was ineffective and tackling was horrible all day long. The team will be 4-3 after the Saints game. From there, it’s a question as to where the team will end up. The hope going into the season was that the offensive weapons would allow the team to overcome its obvious weaknesses on defense. The absence of a running game calls that into question now. Unless the running game picks up, the 2009 edition of the Falcons may not break .500. Stay tuned.

Ashamed

October 26th, 2009
8:35 am

Can we move the team to another city so they don’t continue to embarrass this town anymore. Blank, take this CRAP and move to Gwinnett and call them the Duluth Falcons. Please seperate yourself from this city!!!!!! Your an embarrassment!

Laughing at the pidgeons

October 26th, 2009
8:39 am

Oh stop crying about Brooking. To the winners go the spoils. “He’s classless!” LOL! Haters! He got kicked off the team and then was able to whoop those same people. Get over it! The Falcons lost! Now go and try and beat the Saints!!

littlebird

October 26th, 2009
8:42 am

VICK SUPPORTER, you are so stupid. Move to Philadelphia so you can watch the LORD of your race sit on the bench. If he was so great, why isn’t he the Eagles starter instead of McNabb? You have no football knowledge at all and just like to see your FAMOUS NAME in print . . . blog on A$$ h!

All I'm Saying Is...

October 26th, 2009
8:42 am

Schultz:

Offensive line was the issue. Whether it was the Cowboys pass rush or the lack of running room for Turner, the issue is the O-Line.

Blaming the quarterback or the running back is the easy, no-research answer.

Zero running lanes is not the fault of Michael Turner.

Lack of time to throw is not the fault of Matt Ryan.

Play calling was abysmal on the offensive series following our score and that’s on the coaches—they, I guess, outsmarted themselves by going with the no huddle and proceeding to have us go backwards 34 yards after our defense got us the ball near mid-field. That whole sequence changed the momentum of the game.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
8:44 am

GTJackets, your comment is funny to me. On one hand you bring up Vick and you opinion the team was built around him right? Okay.

Then in the same vain you say this current team is not built around one player right? Then why is everyone placing blame everywhere else but Ryan? This week Turner is the goat. Why?

I thought this was a team not dependent on one player. Ryan had a bad game. He responded like most QB’s who don’t get protected from the offensive line. He locked in on one receiver(Gonzalaz) and he threw interceptions.

Since you mentioned Vick, he never had consistent offensive line pass protection. But the press here would never factor that into his performance whether good or bad. The AJC here is so afraid to say Ryan had a bad game. Sorry!

Zoomie

October 26th, 2009
8:46 am

Six games into the season and I think we’ve seen enough to know exactly where we stand. This is an old story in football: the team that wins in the trenches wins the game. We’ve been extraordinarily lucky so far this season with the performance of the offensive and defensive lines, but playing against teams that have strong lines has exposed the Falcon’s most glaring weaknesses: mediocre, at best, performance from the offensive and defensive lines.

Nobody can argue that Turner has quickness. We saw that last year. The difference from last year is that last year he had holes to hit. This year, the offensive line is being handled and Turner is having to dance behind the line. This spells death for the Falcons’ running game. In addition, you can’t expect outstanding performance from a second-year quarterback when he’s always under duress.

I think our defensive secondary is playing as well as can be expected given their youth and experience, but when the opposing quarterback has all day to find an open receiver, he will find that receiver. There is no pressure coming from the defensive front. (Does John Abraham still play for the Falcons?) The only pressure we’re getting on opposing quarterbacks is from the occasional stellar play of Bierman and from blitz packages. Of course, a blitz just puts more pressure on a young, inexperienced secondary.

I still think we can pull out a winning season, laying the “back-to-back” ghost to rest, but the Falcons are not a playoff team.

It’s disappointing that the Falcons weaknesses are not where we expected them to be. They have no running game and a weak defensive line. Atlanta will get by teams that have the same, or worse, problems, but will consistently get beat by the better NFL teams as long as our lines get handled.

Oh well, I didn’t expect the Birds to go to the superbowl this year. Still holding out for that winning season, though . . .

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
8:50 am

Lack of time to throw is not the fault of Matt Ryan.

Why not? For three years I watched a Falcons with a pourous pass blocking offensive line but it was never an issue as it is now. Why?
Why can’t people understand that NFL teams take away one thing you do well when they’ve had a chance to study you.

The Falcons took everybody by suprise last year. Get used to it not taking teams by suprise this year. Especially the better teams that have better than .500 records. Watch.

SeenThisB4

October 26th, 2009
8:53 am

The set-up on this blog is really poor. I’ve been to a number of sports blogs at newspapers all around the country, and this by far, is the worst for user and reader friendliness. But, what would you expect from an Atlanta based paper. Saints 54 – dirtybirds 0.

Turner is a JOKE

October 26th, 2009
8:56 am

I called it last year as he was racking up yards against hapless opponents, with holes that I could run through. But just to reiterate, Turner is the most overrated running back in the league right now and the most overpaid by a mile. His nickname should be “Twinkle Toes” instead of Burner. This guy can’t hit a hole to save his life. For such a big guy, he runs like a complete wuss. He is soft as baby doo. We need to play the other running backs and then try to bring Tashard Choice back to Atlanta in the offseason.

If I see Turner tip toe through the tulips any more I think I’m going to vomit.

Twinkle Toes Turner

October 26th, 2009
8:57 am

Yeah, its all about the blocking. And it was last year, too.

FalconPrincessWarrior

October 26th, 2009
8:59 am

Well, it didn’t take Jerry Jones long to turn Brooking into a classless jerk. I know he is upset at the way the Falcons released him, so was I, but he never acted like that in ATL. He blew it with a lot of supporters – including me. His antics were over-the-top. One day – maybe as soon as today, he will certainly look back on his behavior with embarrassment.

Last week, our defense stepped up and carried us to that win but sooner or later the offense needs to take some pressure off the D. The O-line completely broke down and you can’t expect much from the QB, RBs and WRs when that happens. They’ve got an extra day to work things out before facing NO on the national stage Monday night. So get to work boys!

Chef menteur

October 26th, 2009
9:00 am

SAINTS 53 Falcons 10. Maybe not even that close! GO SAINTS!!!

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:00 am

In addition, you can’t expect outstanding performance from a second-year quarterback when he’s always under duress.

Why not?!! He’s already been annointed the next Peyton Manning. Come on folks you want it both ways. Then get annoyed when it’s called out. No excuses right? Ryan has to overcome being under duress. He has to get better despite his offensive line.

M Anthony

October 26th, 2009
9:03 am

Dang you birdheads have blamed the loss on Brookings, Vick, and everyone else. The birds just got beat by a better team that showed up. And it is only going to get worse.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:04 am

So now Brookings is Falcon Fans enememy #1. You folk amuse me..lol

KD

October 26th, 2009
9:06 am

Ditto “Michael in Dunwoody”.

Just another troglodyte

October 26th, 2009
9:06 am

One of the keys to winning is to make the quarterback human. Look at what VT did to Harris. Any NFL QB with a modicum of talent can look like a hero if he is given the time to find his recivers. Just look at Tony Romo. Dallas simply won the game at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Falcons OL has, so far, done only one thing well and that is protect the QB, and Sunday they didn’t even do that. The Falcons DL, the few times it got to Romo, couldn’t tackle him. If you have a weak secondary, you have to have a pass rush. Offense is all about execution, but defense is about intensity, and Dallas had the intensity. No doubt, the off week helped a cowboys team that was already under the gun because of Jerry Jones and the pregame hype.

As for Brooking, I’ve always been a fan, but he really acted like a jerk Sunday. A total lack of class.

As for all the Vick fans, Michael Vick was one of the most exciting players ever to don a Falcons’ uniform, but he was not a great QB, just a great athlete. A career passer rating of 75.6 doesn’t exactly qualify for the Hall of Fame. The Falcons had too much money invested in Vick to sit him, but they would have been better off playing, and keeping, Matt Schaub.

T

October 26th, 2009
9:08 am

I lost a lot of respect for Brooking for the way he acted yesterday. I thought he had class but I guess I was wrong. Even with the emotional part of it, he could’ve won with class and dignity but he chose to go the other way! I’m glad he’s gone!

T.C

October 26th, 2009
9:08 am

Ooops here comes the lame excuses from your fellow falcon fans.They are who we thought they where.All these falcon fans with there hopes up when i told yall they have not done nothing or prooved nothing since 1966.Last week i observed all the bragging about these worthless birds.Oh well,get ready for part two of the beat down in neworleans.Lets seee,they still gotta play the giants,jets,philly,and n.o again.Im sorry sorry falcons LOLOLOLOLOL……

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:08 am

Tuner is a JOKE,

I called it last year as he was racking up yards against hapless opponents, with holes that I could run through.

Okay, so where are those holes this year. With you logic, that should be an indictment of the offensive line right? So would you admit that the offensive line is not opening up the same holes this year.

Just asking.

Josh

October 26th, 2009
9:11 am

This is absolutely ridiculous! Why do we have to put up with the race baters on this blog, who is monitoring this? First of all who cares or for that matter what does it matter the color of skin a player has. The real question is can he play, right? For that matter what the hell has Mr. Vick done for Philly? The answer to that is …NOTHING! For all those fair weather fans please remember the agony that MV7 gave us with his, at best, sporadic play. Remember that we are only 1 1/2 season removed from the train wreck 2007 season. Building a team takes time and growing pains. Now top that off with the injuries that the team has sustained on the already suspect defense and you get what we all saw on Sunday. I believe that we are heading in the right direction we just need to work on the depth of the team. The Falcons don’t have the plug-n-play depth that alot of the better teams have. It will take time. The preseason should have showed everyone that Brent Grimes is way outa his league. They went out and signed Brian Williams and traded for Tye Hill (which we have yet to see in action) those were good moves until Williams got hurt now our secondary has more holes than swiss cheese. There’s no push in the middle since Jerry got hurt I’ll say that Anderson is giving it his best but he’s undersized for the interior of the line. If theres no push in the middle then the ends get doubled. As for the offense the line has no excuse they are all healthy and have worked together for 2 seasons however Snellings seemed to find some room to move. Norwood is hurt so there is really no change of pace. In Ryans defense it’s kinda hard to throw when your on your back most f the game but he is experiencing a bit of a sophmore slump. The bottom line is people we can’t win them all, be patient, lets hope Demitrof and Smitty will get it fixed and we still have 10 games left so don’t throw in the towel yet. Oh, by the way all you fair weather fans go ahead don’t come to the games anymore and leave your season tickets at the door I’ll take them from ya!

SOUTH GA BIRD FAN

October 26th, 2009
9:12 am

playoffs ? playoffs ? PLAYOFFS ?!!!!!! did someone say playoffs , I am wishing for 9-7 thats all and believe me its going to be tough, although 9-7 might make the playoffs New orleans, Green bay, giants, and the vikings are better teams and they don’t have to play everyone of their opponents coming off a bye week.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!

Marie

October 26th, 2009
9:12 am

The bottom line is this — you will never be a great team in the NFL if you cannot come from behind and win a game. And so far the Falcons with Matt Ryan has not been able to do that. It is a fact that if the Falcons are leading at half time they will win the game and if they are trailing they have lost every game.

Great QBs have the ability to bring their team back and give them a chance to win the game or actually do win the game (like Drew Brees did yesterday). But when the Falcons are down by 2 scores you can hang it up b/c they are not going to win the game. And until Matt Ryan begins to do that all these comparisons to Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or other elite QBs is over the top. He is simply not there yet.

T.C

October 26th, 2009
9:13 am

Now turner gets the blame instead of sorry ryan.They both get the blame.I told you when the falcons under perform and they often do,they fans will turn on you faster than a bear before hybernating.Such two faced sorry fans.

Turner is a JOKE

October 26th, 2009
9:13 am

I am saying that it was the O line that opened up holes for him last year that my grandma could run through. They also stayed on their blocks longer last year which allowed Turner to hit holes at his snail’s pace. This year, the O line is not getting the push and more importantly their not able to sustain blocks as well as they did last year. Most RB’s could adjust by hitting the holes quicker instead of taking the time to let the play develop. Turner obviously cannot. I can’t recall another NFL RB who hit the hole as slowly as Turner does. He tiptoes around too much and you could read War and Peace before he hits the gap. Overrated and overpaid.

im4ball

October 26th, 2009
9:14 am

To me it seemed like the offensive line broke down much more than in past games. Weather it was the cowboy;s personel or some scheme they were running, Ryan had much less time to makes reads. For whatever reason, it took the offensive cooridinator much of the game to figure out the plays to beat the rush. I blame the play calling to much of the inabiilty to hadle the rush and thus score.

It does seem that Turner has problems running this year but, some of the can be accredited to the fact that teams are keying on him and also, it seems that runs for Turner are typically outside the tackles. Turner just does not have the speed to be going outside the tackles. They need to run more inside the tackles with Turner and let him wear down the defense.

We all know that the Falcons corners are short and just not very good and we can add to that the fact that they can not tackle very well in the open field. Just how many tackles did Brent Grimes wimp on?

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:15 am

Any NFL QB with a modicum of talent can look like a hero if he is given the time to find his recivers.

Just curious since you mention Vick. How would you assess the OL pass blocking when Vick was here? Like you say the OL didn’t protect the passer yesterday and that is the reason your QB was not effective right?

Turner is a JOKE

October 26th, 2009
9:16 am

By the way, nobody can blame Brooking for playing with passion and having a chip on his shoulder yesterday. How quickly you forget all of the Brooking bashing that went on last year. And if a Falcon’s coach did indeed tell him “its a young man’s game,” then the Falcon’s coaches got what they deserved as well.

I didn’t like to see his antics, but my god people, are you REALLY surprised?

Turner is a JOKE

October 26th, 2009
9:18 am

lame act, you are a joke. Questioning Matt Ryan? Really? Are you really that stupid?

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:20 am

Amazing! RB, DL, play calling..gets the blame. Everybody and their mama except QB. Too funny!!

falcon

October 26th, 2009
9:21 am

Very disappointing performance yesterday. We got whipped in every aspect of the game, including coaching. I can’t figure this O-Line out. Same coach and same personnel as last year, but no holes? Turner does not look like the same player. Terrible play calling. Another week where we don’t even try to throw it deep. Matt Ryan throwing into double coverage trying to hit Gonzalez time after time.

Our problem on defense is simple. We just don’t have the horses. We are 6 players short (sorry BG) of where we need to be. DE, DT, LB, CB’s and S. Since defense wins championships, the playoffs are looking like a stretch at this point.

As far as the comments regarding DJ being the answer…..if he was all that, why hasn’t another team picked him up?

And Brooking, real nice dude! 2 tackles and you’re all mouth. You weren’t so cocky after you cost the Falcons the game last year in Arizona. I hope the Falcon’s fans and organization remember your behavior when the talk turns to retiring you as a Falcon. You can keep your a$$ in Dallas.

CAN U SAY OVERATED IS A FOOL

October 26th, 2009
9:22 am

….We do know however that DJ Shockley was the best QB on this roster since 2007

ROTFLMAO…

CAN U SAY OVERATED is a fool.

Matt

October 26th, 2009
9:22 am

Brooking needs to grow up! He was lucky to get drafted by the Falcons and never have to leave his home town. Does not every one wish to be so lucky? He needs to realize the NFL is a business and he was not part of the plan. He gets payed to play football, get over it! To all the people saying Ryan sucks, why does every football person you hear rave about him? Vick never accomplished anything in Atlanta, hell he cant even get on the field in Philly! Vick was a baby in a mans world, period. The Falcons treated him like a baby and he acted like it. Any true Falcons fan is glad to be rid of such a pain in the a** QB. He was worthless a player and a human being!

T.C

October 26th, 2009
9:23 am

And then jeff got a nerve to rank the falcons above dallas in the nfc.G.b and even the bears even tho they got beat down sunday is better than the falcons.7th or 8th at best.

Turner is a JOKE

October 26th, 2009
9:24 am

Lame Act, you can’t hide stupid.

lamac66 is a racist

October 26th, 2009
9:24 am

nuff said.

So We Lost 1

October 26th, 2009
9:26 am

Schultz…..You are correct. Pressure on Matt(or any other QB) can and did cause problems. Yep, Turner I believe is still the same running back we saw last year. He just doesn’t have the lanes this year. So the old NFL rule goes like this: If you can’t establish your running game then you won’t be able to open up your passing game.

~~So we’ll be fine. We are still a playoff team.~~ GO FALCONS!!!

midtowncowboy

October 26th, 2009
9:30 am

Turner is not moving as quick as he did last year. Some holes were there yesterday as shown by Snelling popping several big runs. Norwood would have taken those runs to the house. My critisim of Ryan is he should throw the long ball more…But hard to too when your getting pressure every pass and the D is only rushing 4 or 5….Falcons miss Todd McClure…

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
9:31 am

Totally agree with the poster mentioning the game is won/lost in the trenches. O line clearly could not hold off the Cowboy rush . . . and D line could not get to Romo. As some may know I’m a Pats fan who has always also liked Falcs since Gritz Blitz. Even more so now as a BC alum cheering on Matt Ryan. I don’t expect Ryan or any QB to be perfect . . . .and remembering the Giants-Pats Superbowl . . .we all know what a great pass rush does to even one of the acknowledged best QBs (Brady) in the game!!!! Every week won’t be like that San Fran game!! As for next week, well the Saints D shows it can give up points . . . . . .but that O is something special. Gotta figure out a way to get some deceptive rushes on Brees that doesn’t leave the Secondary with 1-on-1s too long. Hey, I know many folks don’t like this Falcs secondary, especially after a loss!!! But Romo just had way too much time yesterday and could probably have picked apart any secondary. I haven’t seen Falcs play 2 down games this year in a row . . . and hope that pattern continues next week!! Keep the faith all . . . and maybe we should think about cutting some slack with the Team we have . . .or at least having some pragmatic expectations!!!

robert

October 26th, 2009
9:32 am

- Mularkey’s play calling has not impressed me at all. 1st down run, 2nd & 3rd down little dink and dunk passes. Mix it up, stretch the feild. I could understand this play calling if you had average players. Look at the Patriots, Saints, Colts, etc. they always go deep multiple times in a game. I don’t remember the last time we tried it?

- Smith’s 4th down decisions, SCARRED!! and no confidence in his offense. they don’t go for it on 4th and 2 while they still have a chance to stay in the game. Your quarterback is on the field wanting to go for it and you pull the offense off the field, Why? so your great defense can get a 3 and out? It hasn’t happened all day!!!! The punt is returned for a touchdown and the game is out of reach.

- DB’s (I won’t even go there) Our corners should have starred in the Wizard of Oz.

- Turner looks like he spends more time thinking about where he is going istead of exploding through the line and creating holes like he did last year.

- BVG if your corners are getting burned every other play when you are only rushing the front four, why not go ahead and send the house. What is the worse thing that could happen? Your corners get burned? That happend all day long.

I am a die hard Falcons fan and season ticket holder, I love my team, but it pains me to see a team with so much potential get out schemed, coached and played. Total team loss today, starting with the coaching.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:32 am

Scott, you say:
The INT didn’t lead to Cowboys points though, and you can’t really put a fumble on your QB when his offensive line decides to play revolving door.

Funny how I NEVER heard this from the AJC and critics until now!

Get The Puck Out

October 26th, 2009
9:33 am

The Falcons yesterday looked just like the Falcons when Steve Bartkowski was the QB. They couldn’t block, the CB’s couldn’t cover, and the defensive line couldn’t put any pressure on the QB. The reason i say they look like the old team is Bartkowski had career ending knees because of all the abuse he faced from the opposing defensive line. Watch out Mattie Ice.

T.C

October 26th, 2009
9:33 am

Aww,why don’t yall get off brooking.Dont get mad because he’s with a real team now.At first yall took up for him,but now yall saying he have no class.See what i mean about falcon fans? They turn on you K.B They just turned on turner but at first they said he was a beast.Get out of there turner and go to dallas.I betcha they won’t blame ryan tho,you let them tell it he’s the best thing since sliced bread and he have not done nothing or prooved nothing either.You can bring up regular season stats but show me playoff and superbowl stats since he’s sliced bread.Give him time? o.k thats fare enough,lets see what happens.Ill give him 2015.

Hawkers2

October 26th, 2009
9:35 am

Until Grimes is benched or released we will continue to struggle against the pass. He is our biggest liabilty back there and we anyone on the roster could close their eyes and cover a receiver better. As for Turner he doesn’thave the drive to run the ball this yesr. He looks to be running scared. Last year he punished defenders and it seems he is weary of hitting the hole. Bench him until the desire comes back, and give sneeling who is running with a purpose.
After watching very closely this year so far, this is going to be a disaster if some personell changes aren’t made soon.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:36 am

For the individual that took the time to invoke my username as being a racist is not only a coward but someone who can’t take the truth. That is what cowards do, they hide behind things.

Mel

October 26th, 2009
9:36 am

Funny thing is Keith was never that hyped up/emotional when he played here. I remember him getting blown up many many times.

SirReal

October 26th, 2009
9:37 am

Ok. I think we can still have a 10 win season with what we have down the stretch. BUT I wanna say a few things about both the offense and defense. OFFENSE: We have to start holding Ryan more accountable for his actions. He’s a human like everyone else. The game hinges on his shoulders b/c he is the QB. 2) I dont know what is going on with Turner…..maybe he did have too many carries last year b/c he’s lost a step. Snelling looked like Turner is supposed to look yesterday. 3) Our line needs to step up a little more as far as run blocking. DEFENSE: We are right back where we started in terms of the secondary and it showed yesterday. Where’s this Tye Hill guy? Is he ready? He needs to be. We also have to stop letting IMMOBILE QBs run for 15+ yards a pop! 2) Overall I liked the LBs play. 3) WHERE IS THE TACKLING and PRESSURE?!! We left like 3-4 sacks on the field b/c we didnt WRAP UP!! We still have time but I think we get torched by N.O. and win 2-3 straight. By week 10 we should be no less than 6-3.

PMC

October 26th, 2009
9:38 am

Defend the Dome get 3 on the road 11-5 laugh as the cowgirls once again lose in the first round of the playoffs. Put up a billboard in Senoia welcoming Mr 2 tackles home early and enjoy working with the front running cowboys fans.

The Great White Hope

October 26th, 2009
9:40 am

What you see is what you get w/Ryan. He will not get any better or worse. This kid threw like this in college…just as many Interceptions as TDs.

If the Falcons don’t go out and get a superb running game or Defense to hide Ryans ineptness at winning games with his arm, then we are going to be in trouble. As you can see, Ryan does not have the tools to carry this team on his shoulders to the SB or Playoffs. And his issues didn’t start yesterday, it began the latter part of 2008.

Turner and the CBs are another story all together, but Ryan is a glaring weakness on this team with his inability to stretch the field and interceptions.

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
9:41 am

SirReal – good analysis and prognosis! I didn’t look too hard at the Falcons schedule until I heard announcers talking about it yesterday. It definitely is a beast the next several weeks. If they come out 6-3 any Falcons fan has to be really pleased!!!

PMC

October 26th, 2009
9:42 am

It’s the NFL. Some weekends you are going to get beat. The Falcons still have only really played one solid game on offense. This team has great coaches and hard working players… they will find a way to get better from this.

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
9:46 am

GW Hope . . . . gotta disagree with you there. Where were you with the interception talks before this week. Ryan just like any other QB . . bad, good, and great . . . will throw Int’s. Just part of the game. However, unlike you (my assumption) I did watch every game Matt Ryan played in college as a BC alum. He continued to improve. As I had mentioned in early posts on AJC after Ryan was drafted . . . .a lot of his Int’s came from tips that should have been caught by mediocre/average receivers at BC, and yes – some were from forcing things in there because he had to make a play to keep a team with average O talent in the game. (I say average O talent as the D had better than usual players when he was at BC.) I’ll also admit . . ..some Int’s . . . but far fewer . . . were from bad decisions . . .or if you like – Bonehead play!! However – he will get better just as he did at BC. You really much not have watched BC too closely as you would have seen how much more commanding his presence became as a Junior and then Senior.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
9:50 am

Wow!!!! By reading these posts, people should see why I talk so much noise about the Falcon “fans”. Last year, Turner was “The Man” for the Falcons, and now you’ve turned your backs on him ALREADY….what a bunch of loser fans you people are,lol. Where’s the blame for Matt “Ice,lol” Ryan? These are the same issues that happened when Vick was our QB, and you people blamed Vick.

You people are putting Ryan on a pedestal that he hasn’t earned yet…and you just may get hit in the mouth for doing so….Ryan lokked very “Joey Harrington-ish” to me.

Like I’ve been saying…enjoy Trent Edwards 2.0

RODRJ32

October 26th, 2009
9:51 am

I don”t know if anyone has noticed or not, but Matt Ryan is not the second coming. He is definitely not as good as people thinks he is. He’s proving it this year. I was not sold on him last year. I am also not sold on the Falcons. I have been a fan since 1966. They have dissapointed me time after time. They lost to a Dallas team yesterday that probably wont even make the playoffs. The Falcons made sorry ass Romo look like Peyton Manning. If we don”t do something drastic about our secondary we could easily miss the playoffs ourselves. Can you imagine next Monday night? Damnit!!!! Grimes is too damn short to cover anyone. By the way i’m happy Brooking is gone. He was the king of letting backs get 6-10 yards and then tackling them. The Cowboys can have him. Turner is a non-factor. He looks to me like he’s lost it. Snelling looks better. Still no pass rush. All they do is run up field to make it look good if they blitz at all. Face it we are not that good!!!!

Hatfield Geoff

October 26th, 2009
9:53 am

I am concerned about the offense. Snelling is getting yards but not Turner so I don’t think its the line blocking. I think play calling is also part of the problem, do the Falcons have a screen pass in the playbook? Dallas pressured all day and we never ran a screen and I think we ran one or two draw plays. What’s with that? How about a crossing pattern so White can use his speed to get separation from DBs. How many times did we run on 1st down to set up 2nd and 9 or 10 or 12. At some point you got to realize you ain’t getting it done and try something else. Tyson Clabo was getting blow off the line every other play. And the pass blocking in general was terrible. Constant pressure on Ryan made him throw early. The Defense is what it is, it has a lot of holes, is very young and short on talent. Most of the talent is marginal. The play at the end of the half on which Dallas scored was terrible. Falcons have a sack (guy is on his back)but they let Romo get away. That is the difference between great players and average players, great players finish. Babineau (sp?) is average.

Falc. exec.

October 26th, 2009
9:53 am

Guys,
Brooking was not let go by Falcons..He chose to leave. They offered him a contract about as good as what Dallas did. The difference was he was not guaranteed a starter position, he was told he would have to work for it like everyone else…He chose to leave… and he acted like a jerk yesterday…was a big pile jumper just like in ATL.. he had 2 tackles the whole game… but he should have put on one of the Cheerleader uniforms, that would have fit him better yesterday.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
9:57 am

Trent Edwards > “Ice” Ryan

Falc. exec.

October 26th, 2009
9:57 am

Ryan did not look good but he was no joey harrington…If Turner would just hit the holes harder he would be fine..he gets up there and hesitates/dances around and hole closes… Just hit north and south hard. Snelling was hitting holes very hard. O -line played bad. D-backs did too…we still have some missing pieces…Go Falcons!

TX2Step

October 26th, 2009
9:58 am

When will Atlanta learn it really is the worst sports city in America and give up completely? Go Cowboys!

The Great White Hope

October 26th, 2009
10:00 am

To TX2Step: Atlanta may not be the best sport city in America, but Dallas has the worse crime in America. Have you seen the 1st 48 Hours? you have bigger fish to fry. try winning a playoff game in the 21st century and then talk smack.

RODRJ32

October 26th, 2009
10:01 am

Here we go GT JACKETS. GA PEACH had a good point, so why does he or she have to be a Vick fan. Why the name calling? The way I see it you are living in denial and are uninformed. The boy threw into coverage all day long like an idiot. Cannot run to save his momma’s life. Hell we don’t expect him to run like Vick, but damn at least try to get out of the way. Here’s an idol thought. Maybe step up in the pocket a little. Since you went there with Vick let me go there. We still live in the South and yall want that boy to wear a cape so bad it’s killing you. I got news for you he’s not even close yet.. End of story!!

RODRJ32

October 26th, 2009
10:08 am

Very well put GREAT WHITE HOPE. Remember you are still in the south.

Smart Art

October 26th, 2009
10:08 am

Start Owens & Tye Hill, they can’t be any worse than the pathetic group of corners we displayed yesterday. How many times are they gonna get flagged for pass interference & still allow a catch??? SHEEESH!! We can not start that midget against Colston, PERIOD!! I really am starting to miss Deangelo, (hate to say it) he’s the only one i miss though, cuz i’ll take Peterson & Lofton over Brooking any day. I am encouraged by Anderson’s play inside but that still leaves a void opposite Abraham! I take it back, I miss Kerney too!!!

FalconUGAFan

October 26th, 2009
10:09 am

Vick Supporter, who are you angry at? The people on here don’t do the hiring and firing. We just cheer for our team.

The entire Falcons team had a bad day yesterday, QB, O and D lines, secondary everyone with the exception of Snelling and maybe Weems. Ok you happy. RYAN had a bad day!! Questions about Turner are legitimate. He was THE man last year and he is clearly not up to his calibre this year. True Falcons fans just want to know what is going on with him. Most of us have a great deal of respect for Turner. Are you a true Falcons fan or are you just a hater? No real need to answer. Why don’t you just go to the Pjilly blogs and support your guy and leave us alone?

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
10:10 am

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

FINALLY, an honest assessement of the QB play that went on! I can respect this.

FalconUGAFan

October 26th, 2009
10:14 am

I think its funny when people say Arthur Blank only wants players that look like him. Since when do ANY of his players look look like mopey old Italian guys? Its a joke…be cool….

Brody

October 26th, 2009
10:14 am

Would you true falcon fans top whining? Yes Turner AND Ryan had an awful game, but we all know how this coaching staff responds after a loss. So in total our two losses this year has come against the millenium’s dynasty and a physical Cowboys team. A loss or two was inevitable against this tough stretch of opponents people. Good to get it out the way now and be ready for the Saints. And you Matt Ryan cowards get off the man’s jock you guys are qucik to show your faces on the blog after a loss but during the wins you are nowhere to be found. Clowns.

Hatfield Geoff

October 26th, 2009
10:15 am

As with the Falcons, the only time we heard Brooking’s name was when they showed him celebrating on the sideline. He made no plays on the field. Cowboys knew to get him off the field on passing downs. He was too slow and too small to be an impact player in the league. Always assisting on tackles that have been made by another 5, 6, 8 yards downfield. Anyway tackles mean nothing stat that matters is tackles for loss, Peterson already has more this year that Brooking had all last season. The man had no impact on the game, just like 99% of the games he plays

IGivUp

October 26th, 2009
10:17 am

Wait! Oh my, Miles Austin just scored again! Secondary needs help big time. The rush has to get to Drew Brees next week or more of the same.

Keith Broke-ing

October 26th, 2009
10:18 am

Brooking had two tackles, and I am sure he had help with both of those. He’s an idiot.

Wake-Up Falcons

October 26th, 2009
10:19 am

Snelling should have gotten the ball more. If Turner couldn’t get going Snelling should have gotten the carries. It’s not going to be easy next week, the Saints showed heart and never gave up against the Dolphins. Wake-Up Falcons.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
10:21 am

FalconUGAFan

I’m not angry at anyone….I just speak the truth. you people turn on anyone not named Matt Ryan….read these posts on here and the majority of the people blame everyone else but Ryan. Sorry man, Ryan can’t carry the team, and that’s all there is to it

Howard Roark

October 26th, 2009
10:22 am

As player in ATL, Brooking had really become a pile-on guy anway. He seemed to be always jumping into the pile after the tackle.

No one should be suprised at his bad behavior – just more piling on.

Wesley Wallace

October 26th, 2009
10:24 am

Losing cornerback Brian Williams is a season ending injury for the whole team. For 2010, we need another good offensive lineman, because the OL looked wiped out at the end of the Chicago game, and they fell apart yesterday from fatigue. Additionally, we need another CB, and another DT for insurance. All other positions are good enough.

The offensive play calling was a much bigger problem than the running, because when the run wasn’t working, Mularkey kept going back to it in some kind of hope scenereo. Is is not realistic to think that you can wear a defense out with the run, when they have had an extra week of rest.

Ryan was a little off yesterday, because the “O” line was tired. Having a bye week early, coupled with the tough schedule, is going to kill us this season. Don’t get upset; just play the hand dealt to you and regroup for next year.

RODRJ32

October 26th, 2009
10:25 am

Snellings performance was decent, however keep in mind the plays that he got yardage on. Misdirection type plays. Not many hard grinding runs from him either if you think back to the game. Turner is playing awful, but it’s not time to put Snelling in yet. The Falcons will get torched next Monday if there is no rush on Brees.

Al Smith

October 26th, 2009
10:28 am

if you think that was bad wait till they play the saints next monday night, that’s going to be a massacre. lol, too bad. maybe they’ll get lucky and still make the playoffs. they’re 4-2 right now. I figure you have wins left against carolina, washington, buffalo, tampa (2). That leaves them with 9 wins. Of course they also have to play the jets, giants, saints (2), and philly.

I figure they can pull off a win against philly at home. That’d make them 10-6. the jets definitely look beatable, the giants kind of do too. Falcons aint beating the saints, that’s for damn sure.

GT GRAD

October 26th, 2009
10:28 am

I am absolutely positive that Brookings “ANTICS” would have been minimal IF the many moronic bloggers and other Falcons Fans would have SHOWED SOME CLASS

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.

RedTornado

October 26th, 2009
10:29 am

seems like every falcon blog comes back to bitter mike vick supporters. It’s laughable seeing #7 Eagle jerseys in the stands. I think I get it. You like Michael Vick. you could care less about your home TEAM. You could care less about the NFL. I really think you also don’t care to learn about the NFL game. Remember when Vick had a bad game. It wasn’t his fault either it was always the O-line. By the way Matt “choke” Ryan when was the last time M.Vick lead a 4 qtr comeback drive. M.Vick offense is called the wild cat that’s only run every so often. That’s why the option is not run in the NFL. The NFL requires pocket passing. And you must complete more than 50% of them.

Grey8632

October 26th, 2009
10:30 am

Where is that great offense the falcons were supposed to have. Turner is scared to hit the hole, hard, and Ryan refuses to throw downfield. Matt Ryan has shown me something…he has a weak arm!!! he cannot throw the ball with any force over 30 yards. Everything is short to Tony Gonzales….he has completely taken out our wideouts!!I think he has taken a step back, he looked much better as a rookie than he does now. We need to stretch the field. There was no need for me to talk about the defense because we all know they suck! Cut Houston!!! he never turns and look for the ball…he is soft, i think Grimes is a better player than him and thats just pathetic!!!

59bulldawg

October 26th, 2009
10:33 am

OK I haven’t been a Falcons fan since the late 1970s/early 1980s but I’ve always wished them well. Just couldn’t handle the annual mental fatigue and frustration of not being able to take the next step. Plus I really despised the constant mismanagement of the Clampett family. Over the years I’ve watched this team from afar not as a fan but as a former fan that wished them the best. So I thought I’d tune in yesterday (It’s rare that I ever see the Falcons on the tube up here in Virgina) for what I expected to be a really good game and a Falcons’ win. WRONG! I know the ownership now is far better than before and that Coach Smith is still building a team that can compete every year, but yesterday’s game brought back all those bad memories from before. It always seems that when the birds are about to take the next step, they always get stepped on. Last year it was Arizona. This year, so far, it’s been the Cowboys and Patriots. Both I admit very good teams but after equally competing with New England I surely expected a better effort against Dallas. It all brought back memories of being shot down in 1980 by these same Cowboys when probably the best Falcons (at least in my opinion) team ever, led by the likes of Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, Lynn Cain, Mike Kenn, and Jeff Van Note, lost 30-27 in the divisional playoffs. While I’m no longer a fan, I refuse to root against them and hope they will someday be successful. But my fan’s heart died years ago between the valleys of futility when the product was simply awful and the peaks of despair when glimmers of hope were crushed in big games. Yesterday’s game was a solemn reminder of why I gave up my fan status. Perhaps I expected too much too soon with this team. Maybe I thought they were better than they really are right now! I still believe Dimitrov and Smith are building something good for you Falcons fans but yesterday for about two hours I was transported back to another era.

PMC

October 26th, 2009
10:36 am

Turner is fine, they are keying on him. Mularkey needs to start getting him the ball in space like he is with Snelling and Norwood and stop trying to strech with him and pound inside. Try some pitches, try some bubble screens or circle routes. Everyone keeps talking about the deep ball. That’s one issue, they are trying lots of deep routes with max protect and some without it and thier line just isn’t good enough for 7 step drops. The school is quickly becoming blitz on 3rd down run blitz on 1st and second. They need to run more WR routes over the middle and give Ryan more options. His arm is not as bad as some people think but obviously it’s not an elite arm and he’s not Ben Rothlisburger in the pocket either.

Burner is fine he just needs some room to operate and he needs that high and tight hold on the football.

Ryan is a second year player. These are growing pains. He’s been very good thus far he just had a really lousy game yesterday under pressure. I was a Vick fan when he was our QB and some of the same issues existed of course. One Mike Jenkins needs to be replaced with Finn or Booker until he learns to catch. Two, Matt is getting happy feet. He needs to work on his footwork and they need to call more 3 step drops. Also use the no huddle. It was working. The faster paced the Falcons are the slower the pass rush has been. They have GOT to get Turner and the boys in SPACE!!!! That means no holding WR’s. If I had to run behind any WR I think I want it to be Roddy White if it’s not Hines Ward.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
10:36 am

2ND YEAR COMPARISONS

Mike Vick (Age 22):

9-7 (Regular Season)

1-1 (Playoffs)

Milestone: 1st qb in NFL history to beat Green Bay on road

MVP: 2nd place finish

Pro Bowl Selection: 1st of 3

Matt Ryan:

LETS SEE WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR 2ND SEASON.

GT GRAD

October 26th, 2009
10:37 am

I am absolutely certain that Brooking’s “ANTICS” would have been less intense if the many moronic bloggers and Falcon’s Fans would have SHOWED SOME CLASS when he was playing for the Falcons.

Many ignorant fans blasted him and dogged him consistently………….these are the same people who claim he is being classless now………why did they not support him when he was a starting LB, defensive leader and superb representative on & off the field for the Birds?????????

He did ONE thing that bothered me (a short arm flap); every other time he was on camera he was simply pumped up and excited because his team was putting the game away for a win. Over 50% of the time he was on camera, he was simply watching the game……………..you people are being ridiculous and soooooo unfair. GROW UP!!

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
10:39 am

This game was by far the worst I’ve seen the Falcons play in the Matt Ryan/Mike Smith era, and I’m sorry I wasted three hours watching it.

Michael Turner is not playing well. The offensive line isn’t playing well. Ryan is having a sophomore slump (camouflaged a bit by the play of Tony Gonzalez), and the defense doesn’t look strong. Furthermore, I’ve seen instances over the past year where the defense would get shredded and then not fix the problem as the game went along.

The Falcons clearly are not in the NFL’s elite. If anyone who has watched their play this year thinks they’re in the same league as the Colts, Saints, Patriots, even Bengals, etc., that individual’s in denial.

Jerious Norwood could be a major key in getting things turned around. IF we utilize him properly (we need to have several sets where both he and Turner are in the backfield), we can get defenses off-balanced by having to guard against speed and power, but we haven’t used Norwood well when he HAS been healthy! He’s underutilized!!!!!

There’s a lot of blame to go around. Thankfully, this organization is committed to winning, and a lot can be accomplished on the practice field.

We really miss Grady Jackson. Cutting ties with him was a mistake, no matter how many sportswriters try to justify it.

I’d give some guys on the practice squad a chance to play. I think we’d all be pleasantly surprised.

JT

October 26th, 2009
10:40 am

I knew as soon as the Falcons lost all of you anti Ryan would come out. Where were you when the Falcons were winning. You can sure dish it but cannot take it. Oh by the way Vick is really lighting up the NFL with the Eagles. Please go look up his stats for the year. I do not eant to hear any excuses that he is not starting or has been out 2 years. If he was so good like you say why is he 2nd string. Please. By the way, this is Ryan’s 2nd year in the league. Lets compare his 2 years with Vick. If Shockley is so good how come no one has picked him up.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
10:41 am

Remember when Vick had a bad game. It wasn’t his fault either it was always the O-line.

RedTornado, we see things haven’t changed. Ryan has a bad game it’s the offensive line fault or Turner’s fault. Call it both ways now. That’s all I respect.

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
10:42 am

Matt”Choke”Ryan . . .got the stats. One thing I’ll have to comment on is the “!st qb in NFL history to beat Green Bay on the road (playoffs of course). Go back and look at Vick’s stats for that game and you might want to change wording to “QB on 1st Team in NFL history to beat Green Bay on the road. Again – look at the stats . . it definitely looked like the rest of the team had as much or more to do with that win than just the QB. (PS: I liked Michael Vick very much as the Atlanta QB!!!)

PMC

October 26th, 2009
10:42 am

People, please do not bring up the same old falcons thing with last night. It’s not even close. This was not Kurt Kittner or Doug Johnson and no chance. This team has more than a good chance to win each week. They aren’t an elite defense by any stretch of the imagination and the offense has yet to gel and play up to their talent level… but seriously… we’ve got a second year QB.

This team has played better talent this year and thier flaws are more evident. They are 1 year away from being completely blown up.

This is not even close to the same old falcons of the old regime. These guys play hard. Jamaal Anderson is playing with passion now.

There is no give up on this team, they just have to stop making mistakes.

j

October 26th, 2009
10:42 am

With the exception of the saints game, the QB that had the most turnovers in all the other games lost.

FalconUGAFan

October 26th, 2009
10:43 am

59Bulldawg, Funny you should bring up Jeff Van Note. I saw my first game as a tike in 70/71ish. Somehow my Dad got us seats by the Falcons entrance. Jeff Van Note walked off the field from a shellacking they received at the hands of someone. He handed me his chin strap. Been a fan ever since and will be to the day I die. Never give up on em.

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
10:43 am

A year ago, I really thought Matt Ryan and Michael Turner outplayed everyone else at their respective positions, but this year, it’s arguable that neither guy’s in the top ten of either.

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
10:45 am

I’m really confused on the “Sophomore Slump” comment for Ryan. Yes – it was not a good day at all in Dallas for Ryan . . . . .but come on . . . .he has looked pretty good cumulatively in the first 6 games!! It’s very frustrating reading a lot of the AJC posters this year (and in past) which seems to be loaded with “what have you done for me in the past 24 hours” comments.

JT

October 26th, 2009
10:45 am

Wow. Vick was 9-7 in his second year. What was his record in his 1st year. I am sure it was not 11-5. What, Vick did not win Rookie of the year. I am schocked. Atlanta fans are the worst fans I have ever met. Lose one game and you all want everybody head. For the record there has only been 2 teams that have gone undefeated in regular season. Got to give the team a chance and let the season play out. You guys sound like the o-7 Tampa Bay Buccs.

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
10:46 am

“jt”– Any criticism of Matt Ryan in 2009 is not necessarily an endorsement of Michael Vick, buddy. You’re sounding as ignorant as that flapping fool, Keith Olbermann, now.

As for Vick, to his credit, he’s not the horrible quarterback that we’re all told he is. He was perfectly fine under Dan Reeves but went South in a hurry as soon as Arthur Blank and Jim Mora, Jr. tried to turn him into Steve Young….. WITHOUT Jerry Rice, John Taylor, etc..

Todd - Dacula

October 26th, 2009
10:48 am

Just checking in because I knew Matt Ryan would not be mentioned… Thanks ‘MATT ‘CHOKE’ RYAN for your post. The MV7 replacement has been an over achiever; his success has been because of the play of his team-mates. yesterday wasnt the 1st time he sucked; he just sucked worse yesterday.

Many will try to blame and call out MichaelTurner, but the O-Line has to do better and the corners cant get burned. In a nut shell, the Falcons talent level is average overall and what we can expect is an aveage record, most of the time. No super-bowl with MV7 and no super-bowl with MR2… whats the difference. me, I’d take my chances with MV7, he a better athlete and always gave teh Falcons a chance to win;especially when the lien broke down. Perhaps MR2 should fight dogs too.

TheItalianDawg

October 26th, 2009
10:48 am

tell you what Jeff you are a curse, bad karma or whatever you want to call it, whenever you cover a team that team loses, so please stay home and dont go to Jacksonville, stay with tech…

RODRJ32

October 26th, 2009
10:49 am

TC how much you wanna bet your Cowboys don’t make the playoffs. Hell there not good at all. They had a decent game because Romo sat his soft ass back in the pocket all day with little to no rush and all you have to do is touch him and whimpers off to the bench. You heard it here. THE COWGIRLS WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
10:51 am

Todd Dracula . . .. . .I think if you go back in ancient/recent NFL history, it will clearly be noted that in the end the equation Better Athelete = Better QB has been proven to be False:) (Of course there have been exceptions!)

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
10:51 am

Millsap,

Spot on regarding Norwood. He’s been undervalued since the falcons drafterd him. I know he is not a bruiser and is of slight build. No excuse why he gets lest than 6 carries a game. I think he is a slightlty bigger version of Chris Johnson of Tennessee. That guy is a threat to score everytime he touches the ball.

Turtsnap

October 26th, 2009
10:53 am

Funny how one game can change the tone for most in this city (and I did say “most”, some still have class). No wonder we are considered a losing Sports city. We jump off the band wagon as quickly as we jumped on.

I’m disappointed, but I still bleed Red and Black for the Falcons, as well as the Dawgs. Dawg fans have disappointed me this year as well. Can you honestly have forgotten how pathetic our teams were prior to Coach Richt coming in?

Some need to get a life!

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
10:54 am

THE “NEW FACE OF FRANCHISE” PROJECT:

Arthur – time to pack in this program. You took a gamble and it cost you 72-million dollars to find out.

You have lost way more than 72-million:

- He can’t sell jerseys (Out sold by backup on new team)

- Can’t sell out the dome without donors (former qb sold out 55 straight)

- Can’t win against elite franchises (New England/Dallas)

- Can’t win playoff games (Choked vs Arizona)

- Can’t make Pro Bowls (Pro Bowls market teams)

Art you need to take it like a man, put your pride in check and in 2010, make a trade with the Eagles with a package of Ryan and a 1st or 2nd round draft pick – if you kiss Vick’s butt and apologize.

Vick would instantly:

- Restore the running game

- Stretch the field

- Increase jersey sales

- Immediately sell out the dome

- Bring more prime time games to team

- Send a qb to the Pro Bowl

- Most importantly – win playoff games

Now that the team has more weapons than he ever had when he was here, this team would INSTANTLY be a pick to win the Lombardi Trophy!

Art get your head out of your butt – you know what to do!

Just An Observation

October 26th, 2009
10:54 am

Houston and Grimes need to be on the bench as back-ups. These two would not be starting CBs on any NFL team that hopes to win games.

Hopefully the team can learn from yesterday’s beat down and be ready for the Aints!!!

59bulldawg

October 26th, 2009
10:55 am

FalconUGAFan, Van Note was a great one! I was a huge Bartkowski fan! Do you remember General Bob Lee? LOL! When the Steelers began drafting and signing Bulldawgs in the 1990s, I began watching their games and pulling for them . . . especially after they took Hines Ward! And I’ve never regretted it! The Vikings/Steelers game yesterday was sorta what I expected between the Cowboys and Falcons. Beginning to think I’m a jinx! LOL!

FalconUGAFan

October 26th, 2009
10:55 am

Agree on Norwood to a point, but dang everytime he plays, he gets hurt. Gotta feel for the guy, great potential but gets hurt in a hurry. I would be hesitant to use him too for his own safety. But gotta play the players, I guess.

JT

October 26th, 2009
10:56 am

Ronnie, is that you. Fans can criticize Ryan all they want. That is not the issue. The issue is that everytime we lose all those Vick supporters come out like if he never lost a game. By the way, last year the team stayed healthy all year. This year we have had many key injuries. For whatever reason the running game has not excelled like last year. I am not a coached nor act like one so I do not know why the running game is not working. Ryan’s stats mirrors last year but I do not see it. He is definitely not the same from what I see. Oh, Ronnie why is it that when someone disagrees with you all of the sudden they are ignorant. This is America and people can have different opinions. Just because we have different opinions does not make one or the other ignorant. Ignorance is the failure to accept someone else’s view that is different than our own’s.

armenchuck

October 26th, 2009
10:58 am

The injured full back is sorely missed!!!! (I can’t spell his name) the full back is worth his weight in gold and the blocking schemes are starting to show why. When will the full back be healthy?

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
10:58 am

“jt”– Any criticism of Matt Ryan in 2009 is not necessarily an endorsement of Michael Vick, buddy. You’re sounding as ignorant as that flapping fool, Keith Olbermann, now.

As for Vick, to his credit, he’s not the horrible quarterback that we’re all told he is. He was perfectly fine under Dan Reeves but went South in a hurry as soon as Arthur Blank and Jim Mora, Jr. tried to turn him into Steve Young….. WITHOUT Jerry Rice, John Taylor, etc..

^5^ That was crazy wasn’t it?

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
10:58 am

Matt Choke Ryan . . .you seem good at the Stats thing. Could you put together a simple list of stats for both Vick and Ryan on their first season and 2nd season through 6 games? Such as Passing attempts/completions (%), passing yards, pass TDs, Ints, rush attempts, rush yards, rush TDs. I’d be interested in seeing how they compare with just stats. Add wins/losses if you like – I’m really curious on that. Thx if you get to it!

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
11:00 am

“once”– Ryan HAS slumped so far this year. He hasn’t been bad but has made some uncharacteristic throws.

I’m not giving up on this team. The commitment to winning is there, from top to bottom. Even if we don’t win 11 games again this year (I do think we’ll get at least 9 and end that dreaded drought), I don’t think we’ll see a lot of improvement as the year progresses.

I largely avoid the Fox Pregame Show, watched it for a few minutes yesterday, and got a quick reminder of why I largely avoid it. I’ve listened to two Jimmy Johnson speeches, which basically are half full of his obnoxious self and half full of his propaganda. He’s not the great coach that he thinks he is. If he is, why did the Miami Dolphins not improve one iota in the four years he was there?

The Cowboys moved right out of one eyesore of a stadium and into another, and why do they want stadiums where the sunlight hits the field at all sorts of disturbing angles?

After watching the end of yet another Pittsburgh game where the Steelers got their share of phantom calls, I find myself with that many more questions of the league’s credibility. Roger Goodell needs to be replaced.

Speaking of the Steelers, their defense looked yesterday like it did in its days of Lloyd/Greene/Woodson, etc., which was galvanized. The team has been soft offensively in recent years, particularly in Bill Cowher’s last few years there, but it’s nice to see Mike Tomlin bring back some of that physicality. It’s quite symbolic that there isn’t a steel mill left in Pittsburgh, but maybe it’s time to get at least one back.

FalconUGAFan

October 26th, 2009
11:03 am

Ha yes General Bob Lee…um another example of some one that went to another team and played with success. Of course he did ok here too.

Steelers! Easy team to pull for! Could never swith to them. Wife is a Cleveland fan…..

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
11:05 am

Got it Ronald M. I will agree I’ve seen some inconsistency from Ryan here and there . . . but do like the overall effort so far. Was a stinker of an effort yesterday by most elements of the team . . .including QB!! Hope not to see to many like that in the future . . but sure there will be a recurrence(s)!

j

October 26th, 2009
11:05 am

the falcons made a horrible dallas team look legitimate. The cowboys had only beaten tampa, carolina, and kc before this game. They barely beat kansas and carolina.

Tom

October 26th, 2009
11:05 am

Mike Peterson has made more impact plays already this year then Brooking
msde the last few years. The only time I noticed him yesterday was when he was flapping his wings or his mouth. The Falcons did not play well but Brooking absolutely no impact in the result of the game.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
11:08 am

NEW FACE OF FRANCHISE:

LAST 2 WEEKS “QB RATINGS”

vs Chicago 68 (Chicago got beat 45-10 yesterday)

vs Dallas 66

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.

Falcons Hero Zero

October 26th, 2009
1:14 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.

“I guess everyone here thinks that we were headed to the Superbowl this year!! ”

Nope. Not me. I knew that The Falcons would keep certain players (and maybe coaches) based on last seasons success.

They did not expect it… So, they were not going to “fix”, what they thought “was not broken” (or exposed).

It’s good that these problems are happening…

You see how awful some of the teams that The Falcons played last season (Lions, Chiefs, Rams, etc..). This may end like Mora’s 2nd season here at 8-8, but it’s good if it happens this way. There is no need for The Falcons to go 9-7 or 10-6, and hope that they don’t have to improve this staff and roster. Praise may have heaped too early on The Falcons.

They were being treated like The Colts and Steelers and some other perennial play-off contenders.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
1:15 pm

Jeff Schultz

Why isn’t this woman “unbiased” banned? I thought we were trying to have a civil blog here

Falcons Hero Zero

October 26th, 2009
1:27 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.”

_________________________________________________________________________________

Falcons are really going to lose some games..lol.

Players fatigue, and have bad games.. The Cowboys match-up was a bad one for this O-Line and Defense. Plus, they were at home with a bye.

Falcons schedule ends better, and they will make a run…

Good opposing teams have chosen to crowd their front 7 or 8 around Ryan and this O-Line.

Ryan can throw deep. Sometimes, making the smart dump-off is not the play to spark the team.

Falcons need a speed RB. Norwood may be out for good with The Falcons. He is a Free Agent. He burned opposing teams on 3rd downs.. Snelling is big like Turner.. I felt that The Falcons should have made room for RB Thomas Brown. He is not on their Practice Squad either, so he’s signed elsewhere.

They need speed and escape-ability somewhere on their offense. Other than maybe WR White, I just don’t see any player that will cause opposing defenses to stretch their zones, and stop waiting for the run.

OT Sam Baker is a franchise LT. Cowboys DE/OLB Ware got his sack away from Baker.

Also, the goal of Dimitroff and Smith in 2008 was to over-haul the O-Line and defense. Plus, some of them are Free- Agents. It will happen..

Frank Wren

October 26th, 2009
1:30 pm

LOL Boy you can tell the black racist have been waiting for weeks for Ryan to lose a game and then go nuts.

Listen you guys have your opinion. Tony Dungy compares Matt Ryan to Peyton Manning. Tony Dungy has won a superbowl and knows alot more about football than you idiots.

Its not hard. Ill go with Dungy’s opinion over yours.

Frank Wren

October 26th, 2009
1:32 pm

And if you think Vick has any shot of starting again your nuts.

Crumpler and Dunn were carrying him for years anyway. He was never that good to begin with.

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
1:42 pm

As bad as yesterday’s loss was, it’s one loss.

Learn from it. Move on. Don’t forget what you learn from it, and don’t forget to learn from your wins, too.

John House

October 26th, 2009
1:43 pm

If I remember correctily the Falcons had a couple of letdowns the year they went to the SuperBowl. No team can stay “up” all the time. Errors were made but are correctable. I certainly don’t believe it was a lack of effort. Come on fans. Be positive and let the team feel it.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
1:43 pm

“Crumpler and Dunn were carrying him for years anyway” LMAO!!

Are you crazy?!?

Dunn is now out of the NFL and Crumpler average 1 catch every 2 games for the titans. Those same players were here in 2007 without Vick and they SUCKED.

Its not hard to figure out. Look up the stats.

“Vick will shine again”

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
1:43 pm

“jt”– By the way, what in the WORLD were you talking about earlier????? You completely showed ignorance!

LOL!

October 26th, 2009
1:50 pm

And yall wonder why the south is slow. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!

October 26th, 2009
1:52 pm

Ignorant southeners!

Ronald Millsaps

October 26th, 2009
1:52 pm

“john house”– You can be positive all you want, but it’s not going to get you anywhere. I swear; I hate New-Age ideologies.

Seriously, you hear this nonsense all the time nowadays. The big question of the day seems to be, “Are you positive?” The presupposition of this very question is totally incorrect.

Unless someone’s referring to the act of being sure or to electrons, I wish folks wouldn’t use the word at all.

LOL!

October 26th, 2009
1:52 pm

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Falcons73

October 26th, 2009
2:15 pm

Here’s what I took away from yesterday’s game. 1.) Keith Brooking is an F-n excuse for a human breathing air 2.) There is something wrong with Michael Turner

On Brooking, I get the whole “get back” factor but it’s pretty classless to show the “trailer trash” scenes on the field with the “mocking flapping bird” and the “ridiculous fist pumping”. He could have played with enthusiasm and not acted like a two year old on the field. I won’t cry a tear when his knees are blown out in the very near future.

On Turner…what the he!! is going on with him. It’s quite obvious that he is not hitting the holes/reading his blocks well. I don’t know if it’s a physical or mentat, but it’s clear that Snelling is doing a much better job when given the opportunity. I hope he can get straight because much if not all of the Falcons hopes depend on him. If they can’t run the ball and control clock, then they will be in deep trouble.

GABred

October 26th, 2009
2:19 pm

Absolutely agree with your assessment. I think Turner is suffering from the same -itis that sat in on the first Jamal Anderson. One hit wonder, then fade to black; with some questionable effort on far too many runs. Snelling looked like a player who should have been starting and he obtained some success with the same line that went to work for Turner. Is he conditioned to be a back up, is he shot? Not sure about that but not liking the lack of fire. Our defense depends on a running game to keep them fresh (through time of possession), so that they take the field often times against an offense that can’t get into rythm and they can hold on to victories. But with no rush, we don’t create any protection for Matt and the passing game on top of then having to play from behind. If the effort was there, I would understand simply being outplayed but it wasn’t there in our 4 wins either. Time for a gut check, the mirror is always a great place to start looking for an answer.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
2:21 pm

Damn…you falcon fans are pathetic

Too Tough 44

October 26th, 2009
2:22 pm

Jeff Finally someone (besides me) has noticed Turner is NOT getting the job done! Ever since the playoff game last yr. he has not impressed me! Look #44 Snelling had the same line blocking for him and look what he did with the ball….he is a gamer. keep him in the game. When is Norwood getting back….I say trade ole Turner now and get something out of him….we are only a few players away from a super bowl! And, Why didnt we exploit K. Brookings with the short passes, play action like everyone else used to do him against us Falcons over the past serveral yrs….cant figure how we let Brookings off the hook by not using him in our pass game yesterday! Go figure, Go Falcons! Come on Fellas!

Darrin "The Vent King"

October 26th, 2009
2:23 pm

I used to stand up for K Brooking (even tho I never thought he played up to his contract), because he always projected professionalism and class, but that went out the window yesterday. I don’t care how he was offended by the falcons telling him this is a young man’s game or whatever, he acted like a str8 jackazz yesterday and now that’s all I remember him for. I can see if he actually contributed to the win, but what was he yelling and flapping his arms about? His team went out there and beat the Falcons, not him-not with only two more tackles than someone in the stands sipping a Bud-Light. He played and has played like the old man the Falcons said he was, that is why he was on the sidelines in the first place. Watching act that way was like watching a kid talk trash when his big brother comes and beats up someone for him cause he can’t do it. What a lame. He lost his Falcon card and my respect for that str8 up…

Riddle Me This

October 26th, 2009
2:31 pm

So when the Falcons beat the Aints next week, will the sky still be falling?

nique

October 26th, 2009
2:34 pm

Vick was never going to lead the Falcons to a ring. Sure he could run, but he wasn’t a good quarterback. Matt Ryan is the real deal.

ryan

October 26th, 2009
2:35 pm

I think the problem is with the Falcons is pass defence if the falcons fail to make the playoffs its because of the pass defence apposing teams has averaged at least 230 yards or more aginst the falcons. I also think the lost to Foxworth and Lawler Milloy is why they are having so much trouble they need to address safty and cornerback . I mean that Weems guy is to small.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
2:35 pm

Matt”Choke”Ryan . . .got the stats. One thing I’ll have to comment on is the “!st qb in NFL history to beat Green Bay on the road (playoffs of course). Go back and look at Vick’s stats for that game and you might want to change wording to “QB on 1st Team in NFL history to beat Green Bay on the road. Again – look at the stats . . it definitely looked like the rest of the team had as much or more to do with that win than just the QB

Ok, then let’s invoke the same logic here. When the Falcons win now let’s admit it was as much as the rest of the team as Ryan. I’m just looking for some balance when criticism is leveled.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
2:36 pm

VS

You are right about Delhomme, Anderson and Edwards. Although I think Edwards is going to be a pretty good QB….He’s just got some of the same problems as the falcons. But you’d think MV would be a better option than some of these guys starting in the NFL. However, unfortunately it’s going to be left up to the owners and I’m just not sure any of these owners will be willing to give him the chance to be # 1 QB. I think someone will give him a chance at QB but will it be for the #1 spot. It’s unfair if they don’t but I think it might be reality, as unfair as it might be, because of the owners, who will ultimately determine if they want MV on their team.

@ falcons hero zero………you’re right. the falcons O-line has some good ballplayers but they are young also so it will take time for them to all gel together, which I beleive they will. You can see that they can do it but I just think the Dallas D-line, which is very, very good if you know football, overwhelmed the O-line yesterday. I didn’t see the whole game, just highlights (because they had the damn saints/dolphins on up here) but that’s what it looked like from the highlights I saw and the blogging from yesterday.

disgusted

October 26th, 2009
2:41 pm

THE FALCONS, COACHING STAFF ALL HAVE THE SAME MENTALITY, RUN RUN PASS, WITH NO GUTS IN GOING FOR IT , PLAY CALLING REMAINS THE SAME 4 THE PASS 8 YRS, SAME FORMATION NO ELEMENT OF SURPRISE I HAVE ALL THE GAMES ON DVD FROM 2003 -2008, ANY OTHER TEAMS MIX IT UP,
LIKE WHEN WE PLAYED CARDS IN PLAYOFF LAST YR.
THEY WERE A RUN TEAM BUT CHANGED IT UP WITH PASS AND
WE NEED BETTER PLAYS CALLING AND SMITH……AFTER NOT GOING 4 IT ON 4 AND 2…… KICK IT WAY ONLY TO HAVE A PUNT RETURN…….THEN 4 AND 10..GO 4 IT….

REMEMBER LAST YR IN N.O. …..INSTEAD OF GOING 4 IT IN THE LAST QUARTER…….KICK IT AWAY ….. THEY RETURNED IT DOWN \\ 2 THE 25 YARD LINE…. AND WON THE GAME….
HES COACHES SCARED…….HE;S ONLY A FRONT MAN NO BALLS
AND MATTY ICE,,,,,,,,, EXACTLY….ONLY GOOD WHEN HE’S NOT BEING PUSHED AROUND…….ITS THE NFL …LEARN TO SCRAMBLE……..LOOKED LIKE THE OLD CHRIS CHANDLER……
THE TEAM NEEDS SERIOUS PLAY MAKERS….ALL AROUND
AND THE SECONDARY WOULD HAVE TO PLAY 4 THEIR LIFE IF
OFFENSE AND DEFENSE COULD PLAY CONSISTENCY.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
2:42 pm

PAST 2 GAMES “QB RATINGS”:

vs Chicago 68

vs Dallas 66

His QB RATINGS continue to sink faster than the Titantic – from the high 100s (vs mediocre teams) to OVERALL 90 now (due to facing real teams).

BUST

Doug Sahm

October 26th, 2009
2:47 pm

Everybody already knew that Keith Brooking was overpaid, but now the whole country knows what only acquaintances knew before; Brooking is an immature, petty, bitter man. The Cowboys will grow to dislike him as a person, much like his former team did.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
2:50 pm

Hey “CHOKE” man……..

Get a grip. You’re right that Ryan’s rating has dropped against good teams. He’s still a 2nd year QB and still learning dumba$$. Look at what your boy in Baltimore, who you thing the falcons should have drafted has done against the good teams the last few weeks.

Your arguement that Ryan is a bust because of this makes you look incredibly ignorant about the game of football and exposes you as a real idiot, as this happens to virtually all young NFL QB’s against good defensive teams, which the cowboys are, especially on the D-line. Go back and look at Peyton Manning in his first couple of years and some of the other great QB’s in there first few years and you will find some of the same exact thing.

If you’re going to bring crap to the blog back it up with some real history that supports it. At least VS backs up most of what he says on here.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
2:53 pm

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Hey “CHOKE” man……..

Get a grip. You’re right that Ryan’s rating has dropped against good teams. He’s still a 2nd year QB and still learning dumba$$

2002 was Vick’s 2nd season. Remember that one?

- Pro Bowl

- Playoff win

- Beat Brett Favre

- Finished 2nd in MVP voting

HA HA HA

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
2:55 pm

And Ryan is going to struggle more this season against good defensive teams, that’s just the reality of a young QB in the NFL baby. But you true falcon fans, be patient, because he will be a WINNER and he will HELP make the falcons a WINNING TEAM and possibly, ( I said possibly) a super bowl team. Be patient. It will happen. My patriots didn’t win 3 super bowls overnight. It took a long time to get the right coach and players and systems in place and I believe the falcons are doing all the right things. It doesn’t happen overnight.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
2:59 pm

I remember it well Choke man…..being that I was always an MV fan, though he drove me crazy at VT against BC. But I already communicated that MV was and is a much better ATHLETE than Ryan and because of that he can cover up teams mistakes all by himself. Ryan can’t do that because he is not the athlete. That’s why MV won in his 2nd year…..better athlete. Still doesn’t make Matt Ryan a bust pal…..and everyone here knows it and so do the falcons and so does the rest of the NFL.

Love ya man, keep it coming.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
3:00 pm

But Choke man you’re still not giving us any past history that backs up Ryan will be a bust. That was just history why MV was successful. Got ya again baby……

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
3:04 pm

BostonBCfan

I can respect your debate points you have back and forth with Vick Supporter. It’s balanced and logical. One question I have for you though. Was Vick utilized correctly during the Mora era? Just curious.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
3:06 pm

Joe Montana’s rating his first 4 years in NFL

81%
87%
88%
88%

Gee, Montana is only considered one of the top 3 or 4 best QB’s ever…….maybe the best ever.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

October 26th, 2009
3:06 pm

DECADE IN REVIEW:

2000 – 2009

PLAYOFF WINS: 2

SEASONS WITH PLAYOFF WINS: 2002(Vick) & 2004 (Vick)

That’s a wrap for this decade

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
3:13 pm

@ lamac66

Actually VS might be able to answer that one better than me. I didn’t see the falcons on tv all the time like you guys have down there but I do know this. Jim Mora, in my opinion, is not a really good coach. Maybe he’s a good coach but he’s definitely not on the same level as Smitty. But I will say this, as I said earlier, that MV made decisions too quick rather than stay in the pocket and be patient but again I also say that with his unbelievable athletic ability I don’t blame him for jumping out of the pocket to make a play, as he did many, many times. There is no other QB in NFL history that had that ability like MV did, but as VS has said many times and I agree it was a curse with MV also to have that ability. Now, does that make MV right to rely on his ability rather than stay in the pocket until that very last second like Brady and Manning and several other QB’s do, only MV can answer that. But, I really believe that ungodly ability he has hurt him in his decision making more than it was the coaching. I hope that makes sense in trying to explain my thoughts on that.

Ron Roberts

October 26th, 2009
3:13 pm

Keith Brooking showed, during the game, and after, why he was let go.

He was a NON-FACTOR during the game, save for some late-in-the-play pile on’s he’d get his jersey number within the camera shot; and after the game, his “character” showed why the Falcons saw no reason to keep him around to be a “veteran presence” to the younger guys coming along.

Good riddance Yellow (belly) Jacket.

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
3:17 pm

Choke man

you’re killin me baby………still you give us no history why Ryan will be a bust……..only why MV was successful…….I agree with you on MV…..but where’s your evidence on the Ice man….

because you have none….admit it. you know i have you on this……look at Montana’s first 3 or 4 years….not that great….good, but not great.

Is that all you got man……you wouldn’t last 2 minutes in a sports argument in a bar room up here with us northerners bro!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marvin Mangrum

October 26th, 2009
3:19 pm

The falcons are sad, sad. Turner is sadder, and look here, no way would my qb wear freaking pink shoes, but then again, maybe he knew something I didnt. If that is all they are they are not worth wasting electricity on. Im serious. Where was the no huddle? Why not run those other backs? Can these people not see Turner walking to the line, man you got to be wide open when you get the ball. And jaamal anderson is pitiful, but less so than the moron writing him a check. It is sad. MGM

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
3:26 pm

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
BostonBCfan

I can respect your debate points you have back and forth with Vick Supporter. It’s balanced and logical. One question I have for you though. Was Vick utilized correctly during the Mora era? Just curious.
—————————————————-

I can answer that one for you…..the answer is NO…Vick was not utilized correctly by Mora, nor was he utilized/surrounded by great players. Dan Reeves let Mike Vick be himself….thats the key to ANY QB IN THE NFL. LET THEM BE THEMSELVES!!!

Vick can run the west coast offense….is it to his strengths? You really can’t say because Mora/Knapp were a bunch of idiots (look at how they’re ruining the Seahawks). Dan Reeves let the man play football and trusted him…Reeves also had a say in personnel decisions during his tenure and they always had an above average defense. Art Blank got a hair up his ass and decided to fire him for no reason, and wanted to put his 2 sense in on player decisions when that’s not his strength.

Vick has the talent to be the best QB in the NFL…..as he admitted he didn’t put in the time like he should have and being “coddled” by ownership didn’t help either. The main point here is that Vick was ENCOURAGED to scramble……everyone in ATL loved it when he did that….at first….but the other side of the game got lost in the equation….including Vick himself, and an ownership that had dollar signs in their eyes…..

The Falcons NEVER sold out 55 straight games in their ENTIRE 43 YEAR History. there was mistakes from both parties…..that’s why I believe that Blank still has a soft spot for Vick….he knows that he let him down as an owner……he paid Vick the money, but personnel wise, they sucked.

The proof was evident when Vick would miss a game….the Falcons AUTOMATICALLY lost…..they put scraps around Vick and expected him to work miracles because the entire NFL was mesmerized with his immense talent. It failed overall, but Vick was successful. When Vick got in trouble, it showed just how bad the personnel decisions were in 2007. I could go on and on, but it’s no point to do so…..only a few people on here see the big picture anyways…

“Vick will shine again”

Keeping It Realg

October 26th, 2009
3:35 pm

The problem is not with Turner or Ryan. The problem is the offensive line. It looked just like the line that Michael Vick played behind.Trouble is ahead for Ryan and Turner if the OL does not improve.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
3:37 pm

Now its the O-line’s fault,lmao.

When will it be Ryan’s fault folks? Will it ever be? i doubt it

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
3:39 pm

lamac66

I should have said that I felt MV jumping out of the pocket hurt him as much as the poor coaching because i believe it was both. and the coaching was poor with mora. I’m not just saying that to agree with VS but he’s right on that one because they are wrecking what was a good Seattle team. Hasselback is a really good QB, not great but really good, as all the experts would tell you (oh, by the way, another BC QB), and the coaching and play calling has totally messed them up offensively and there’s the proof on that.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
3:44 pm

BostonBCfan

No one listens on here when they see the name “Vick”. They have the right to hate Vick, but I just try to talk football and trust me, they never understand.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
3:45 pm

BostonBCfan

Be careful about agreeing with me…..they’ll turn on you and call you a racist,lol

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
3:50 pm

BostonBCfan

These “fans” here can’t recognize bad coaching when it comes to Vick…they never have…..it was always Vick’s fault, no matter what. i can remember Morten Anderson missing a field goal that would have given us the lead one game, and the “fans” on here blamed Vick for not having the team lined up at a good angle after a 3rd down play so Morten could have a straight in shot for the field goal!!!

The fans here are pathetic. They don’t like me because i speak the truth and go against the grain by not drinking the Matt Ryan “kool-aid”. Looks like that kool-aid is starting to get sour,lol

“Vick will shine again”

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
4:00 pm

I love debating all this QB talk, even between MV and MR. It’s great stuff. One thing to say here though is that what none of us will ever see that would help us amateurs with our opinions is that we never get to see the coaches tapes (hey choke man, do you know what the coaches tapes are?? oh probably not). The coaches tapes from the games show many, many different angles on every aspect of the game…..O-line, backs, receivers, routes, wrong routes, wrong blocking assignments, etc. Same thing on defense. So much happens during the game that we never, never see. That’s why, when you see a QB miss a reciever we don’t know for sure if the receiver broke off the route or the QB thought he was going another way. We never know that so it’s hard to put blame on individual players because of that. Like last week when MR missed that pass to Gonzalez down the middle seam of the field when it looked like he was wide open. MR threw the pass to his outside shoulder looking like MR thought he Gonzo was going to continue straight down the seam but then Gonzo broke off more to the inside post. So, who was right and who was wrong. We don’t know that, but the experts say that most of the time it’s not the QB, but I say with young QB’s it could be just as much their mistake. Either way, the point I’m making here is that we never see the coaches tapes which reveal all of that. So, it makes it hard for us to know what the coaches and players know.

Even still, with all that, everything starts with the O-line on offense. If you can’t protect the QB he can’t make plays, unless you have that MV ability to cover those O-line mistakes and make plays on your own. M. Ryan doesn’t have that ability, but neither does Manning, Brady or even Brees, or most of the QB’s in the NFL. (well sometimes Brees does, but you get my meaning). So, if MR is the falcons QB for the foreseeable future they better protect him so he can make plays. Now, if the O-line does it’s job, then it’s up to MR to make the plays and he has not done that at times. He does panic some times when there’s pressure because he is still getting used to the speed of the NFL players, which we all know is several times higher than college. He has to learn to get the ball out as quick as possible which he does most times but when the d-line is in your face it’s hard to be accurate but he does a pretty good, solid job for a young QB. But, he has to get better and I believe he will as he matures.

Choke man……..still waiting for your evidence??????? What happened to you???

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
4:11 pm

Dec 6th………

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
4:12 pm

VS

Not worried about the racist comments to me…….the last thing I am is a racist. I’m just a white irish lad from Boston………I get all the “he must be a drinker and a fighter” comments all the time. Doesn’t bother me

MIKE

October 26th, 2009
4:19 pm

CAN WE PLEASE GET A PASS RUSHER AND A CORNER BACK COME ON JEFF MAKE SOME CALLS

Al Smith

October 26th, 2009
4:23 pm

Jeff why dont the falcons try to throw down field like every other team? Should michael turner lose weight?

Scott

October 26th, 2009
4:25 pm

LOL, gotta love the cowboys fans that are drinking their brand of koolaid again. You had a bye week and your jackass of an owner saying this was the most important game of the year for you, not to mention you were playing at home…home teams after a bye SHOULD win. The falcons played like garbage in most facets of the game, from QB, Turner, to overall the O-line…and had to start Brent “I get called for holding yet still let the guy catch and score” Grimes at CB thanks to an injury. Good win, don’t get me wrong, but you’re kidding yourselves if you don’t still believe Romo and your whole team will self destruct like always when it counts. And as far as taking shots at the Falcons organization, remind me when was the last time the Boys won a playoff game, I’m kinda getting old so my memory isn’t what it used to be

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
4:27 pm

Jeff

Have the coaches ever talked about why they don’t try to throw more deep balls? If so, what are they telling the press. Is it because their type of offense that they run doesn’t call for it or is there another reason? I think that’s something we’d all like to know.

Ryan Is Overrated

October 26th, 2009
4:31 pm

Matt Ryan is overrated, not Turner. Hes’ been throwing interception forever

Scott

October 26th, 2009
4:36 pm

And enough with the fans of other teams claiming that Falcons fans suck because we criticize players and/or coaches after a loss. I can guarantee you that I could go on ANY team’s blog after a disappointing loss and see the same thing. I’ve certainly seen more Cowboys fans than I can count bagging on Romo, Wade Phillips, and everyone else after a loss…and I’m sure I could go back to some Saints blogs from any other year than this and see the same. We are FANS…after our teams loses we don’t get to work harder like the team does, the only way we have to get out our frustration is to question things. It doesn’t mean I won’t be cheering my ass off for the Falcons on Monday night against the Saints. And as far as the people saying Matt Ryan sucks and that sort of thing, if you have a brain you can see that 99% of them aren’t Falcons fans and merely have an agenda…so don’t just the whole bunch but a few bad apples.

MR SMASHMOUTHFOOTBALL

October 26th, 2009
4:38 pm

Its funny everybody wants to blame Turner for your lack of a run game. Its your team piss poor attempts at blocking…The few times they decided to open some holes turner scored one and Snelling had two decent runs…The type of year Turner had is not a fluke..I personally know Turner and he is in great shape…The only thing different is teams are stacking 8 in the box and his crappy lineman are getting pushed around..have you people on here never played football in your life but have the audacity to make bone headed comments such has “Turner being burnt out.” The only runner to put up big numbers without a decent line is Barry Sanders and Turner is not a scat back. So for all you so called football analist learn the game and make a better analysis

Al Smith

October 26th, 2009
4:42 pm

Well turner needs TG88’s book: The All Pro Diet. Clearly ryan cant carry the team on his back but come on, turner is fat.

#1 Falcon Fan

October 26th, 2009
4:43 pm

MV7777777 You are an idiot!!!!! I have lived in Atlanta all of my 45 years. Let’s give D’troff and coach Smith a break here. Look where we were 2 years ago. Our Qback going to jail and our then coach leaving in the middle of the night. We were the laughing stock of the NFL. This is a process! That I believe in! We have had some very significant injuries this season. We have lost a very powerful fullback that ran lead for Turner creating the gap. Norwood’s presence alone brings DB’s up. Therefore, opening up several passing options. The defensive loss of our starting tackle is huge. seriously affecting our pass rush. And now our Corner going down. As I mentioned earlier, this is a process! I have all the confidence in the world in our GM and Coach. We have an owner now that allow’s REAL football people to run this show. I know it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. But, just remember where we were 2 years ago. We are in a rebuilding process. One to two more years of quality drafts and a couple of free agent pick-ups and we WILL run this division!!!!!!!!! Also, I understand Keith Brooking plays with alot of emotion. BUT his actions were totally out of line. He WILL regret it!!!!!!!!!!! GO FALCONS!

Sife

October 26th, 2009
4:48 pm

Brooking is an ignorant, dumb-as-a-rock Georgia Tech “student” athlete. What else would you expect? Tech breeds arrogant, idiotic, pompus do-nothing tools like him. Glad he’s gone. Not sure what was more embarrassing. Him going out of his way to embarrass himself or his acting like he single-handedly won the game with his pathetic two tackles. What a joke.

Scott

October 26th, 2009
4:49 pm

As far as the guy saying people have no right to question Turner, I personally don’t think it’s all on him. The O-line hasn’t runblocked well at all this year and though only a few have mentioned it, I’d bet Mughelli, the starting FB, being out for the last few games made a big difference. On the other hand, I don’t think it’s out of line to question whether or not Turner may be playing a bit nicked up or a step slower this year, he doesn’t look as explosive even when he has a hole as he did last year, nor is he breaking as many tackles. He had a hell of a year last year so maybe he’s a viction of the expectations he created for himself. I’m not saying he sucks though and I still hope he turns it around. This offense NEEDS a running game to succeed.

Kane337

October 26th, 2009
4:49 pm

If Dallas and Atlanta finish at the same spots in their respective divsions this season (i.e second in NFC East and second in NFC South)…………Dallas and Keith Brooking will be at the Dome next year. Lets see how much arm flapping he does then. I have always been a supporter of him but he looked like a real jerk out there. His post press conference was 100x worse. What a SOB he was yesterday.

Gerald

October 26th, 2009
4:54 pm

Hang in there Falcons its a sixteen game season just keep your heads up I beleave in you one Game at a time dont look back ,the Saints are next regroup and get mad and beat them Saints

to

October 26th, 2009
5:01 pm

Enter your comments here

tell like it is

October 26th, 2009
5:02 pm

All you people bought into the hype about the falcoms being good this year base’ed on last year its your on fault.You new the falcons were weak on defence after letting key players go.and now the offence has a bad game.This team has to many flaws to be a playoff contender.

Huh?

October 26th, 2009
5:09 pm

I don’t understand why people are still praising Vick (and Shockley!) when he is close to being cut by the Eagles (and he’s no longer in pro football — or ever was, really). I had high hopes, but it’s over. Let it go already.

tom

October 26th, 2009
5:11 pm

I liked Brooking when he was here. What he did yesterday was one of the most classless acts I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Those of you who are defending him just don’t get it. He just sold all his Atlanta fame and popularity for one measely win on a team he may not even be on next year. All because of pride & ego. There are many players who play a long time for one team and then play out their final years somewhere else. 99% never act like Brooking did on Sunday. If you think Atlanta fans are going to forget about this in 3 or 4 years you’re smoking something!

He will be forever booed in Atlanta from here on out. Arthur Blank will NOT place him in the ring of honor – and Atlanta fans will easily forget him. I hope it was worth it Keith – you just showed your A** – and it wasn’t pretty!

MR SMASHMOUTHFOOTBALL

October 26th, 2009
5:11 pm

Al Smith I wont even respond to that ignorant comment. Go back to the drawing board and come up with a legitmate argument. Wow you can tell you are just talking out of you ***

JJ

October 26th, 2009
5:14 pm

Keith Brooking is a douche, plain and simple, and I lost all of the little respect I still had for him today.

He’s not that good – he did quite a bit to lose us that playoff game last year and wasn’t ever a playmaker at linebacker. You ain’t apologizing to anybody, Keith? I hope Dallas makes the playoffs and has to come to the Georgia Dome so I can sit right by the tunnel and pelt you with beer bottles.

On The Couch

October 26th, 2009
5:18 pm

So, I was watching some tape I have of Turner last year and then some tape of this year.

IMHO, even though he denies it, the tape says there is something wrong with Turner. Might be a knee or a foot. He is planting differenlty when he cuts…most of the time he is putting the weight on his left foot this year when he cuts. Last year he made most of his cuts using his right foot.

Also, last year when pushing the pile he was very effective moving it. This year he is not as low and being stood up.

Either he is hurt, or tape analysis by the opposing team has shown how to stop his momentum by standing him up and he doesn’t have an answer for it.

Not having Ovie M. in there hurts too…but Snelling didn’t have an issue did he?

bocabrave

October 26th, 2009
5:18 pm

Another mediocre Falcons team. I’ve seen plenty of them since 1970, but I’m still a fan. Sick, right! That said…Saints 45 Falcons 21
There is no way our secondary can stop Brees-the Saints may hit 50! Falcons will finish around .500, maybe 7, 8, 9 wins. A long way from the next step up, but heading in the right direction. 11 last year was luck and a weak schedule.

MR SMASHMOUTHFOOTBALL

October 26th, 2009
5:41 pm

Snelling had 3 maybe 4 good runs…The running game is suffering due to blocking…The O-line was much better last year (more agressive)

The Parole Officer

October 26th, 2009
5:44 pm

I wouldn’t be so sure your “dog-killa” is going to make it until the Eagles-Falcons game at the Dome. You Con-Vick worshippers sure your boy can hold off smokin his blunts until then?

tell like it is

October 26th, 2009
5:52 pm

bocabrave—-try 6-10 and out of the playoffs.

Alan

October 26th, 2009
6:25 pm

We are 4-2, there were questions at the start of the season and there are questions now. There is a lot of work to be done and the Falcons looked bad on Sunday but don’t throw in the towel, we still have 10 games and Smitty will make corrections. Everyone on the field Sunday should shoulder the blame for this one. GO FALCONS-GO SOUTHERN RUSH.!!

Mike Vick Curse

October 26th, 2009
6:34 pm

2004 & Counting

I told you fools I cursed you………. NO PLAYOFFS WINS EVERRRRRRRR

JASon

October 26th, 2009
6:35 pm

The Falcons formula:
1)Score early
2)Resort to the run

Smart teams know this, that is why Michael Turner gets gang-tackled the instant he gets the ball. Then, what do we do? Give it to him again. The crazy part is, our coaches think that other teams haven’t caught on yet. We only do it every game.

Our coaches don’t understand the meaning of KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON, especially when we know our defense is going to give up yards. This, my friends, is the heart of the problem.

fALCONS BACK GROUND NOISE AND RYAN IS Patty melt

October 26th, 2009
6:51 pm

People we have hear very little on how the offensive grades out. we see passer rating yard per carry. The falcon offensive in not that good.{ less than 300 total yards per Game) Ryan is a punk under pressure . every team that keep pressure on him the Falcon lose Great QB; I don’t think so , any QB worth his salt can pass when no one in his face or get hit this is Ryan weakness!!! Turner run where there is a hold ,no hold no Yardage. you never hear our AJC sport writers display each line men how they graded out on both side of the ball. It’s not cool but it tell the real story! Start something new AJC Sports with linemen grades in each game! Where is the Falcons Offensive linemen. pro bowler any where?

Scottbravesfan

October 26th, 2009
6:51 pm

Chris Houston is the worst player in the NFL. The guy can’t cover anyone in the league. He couldn’t even make it in the SEC he is so bad. Until Dimitroff addresses the secondary this team is going nowhere.

Tyler

October 26th, 2009
6:52 pm

Brooking, sure wasn’t doing the “bird dance” when he repeatedly got beat in coverage with the falcons…seems there was a third and 14 against Arizona last year! I can’t seem to remeber but….glad he’s in Dallas and not screwing up with the Falcons! He’s all class….very low!

Gamer

October 26th, 2009
6:56 pm

When teams are stacking the box, design deep plays with Roddy and Weems(SPEED) in the slot, not Finnerman(HEIGHT). Finnerman is good for short yardage or for red-zone scoring. WHAT HAPPENING TO MIKE JENKINS NOT CATCHING THE BALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BALL IS HITTING HIS HANDS!

Get TURNER back to running hard! He is running timid!

When teams are pressuring Ryan, go to screens plays sometimes!

FALCONS’ COACHING NEED TO ADJUST TO GAME.

Prediction Falcons 10-6 may not be enough win to make playoffs.

Great Falconi

October 26th, 2009
6:56 pm

Turner must have gotten the message. He came out today and took responsibility for not being as productive as expected. I don’t know what that means for the game against the Saints, but I like seeing our guys man up and take blame. We get two shots against the Saints. We need to win one of them.

As far as the rest of the season is concerned, we have the Panthers, Bucs (twice), Redskins and Bills left on the schedule. If we win all of those games and no others, we’ll go 9-7. In other words, we’re in good shape, folks. We just have to get better.

Vick Supporter

October 26th, 2009
7:07 pm

The Great Mike Vick Has Returned to the big stage…you know….the one he used to have the Falcons showcased on every other week. Monday Night Football

“Vick Will Shine Again”

“The Great Mike Vick Has Returned”

Wisconsin High School Football Playoffs

October 26th, 2009
7:13 pm

[...] Falcons' charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner | Jeff … [...]

The Dust

October 26th, 2009
7:17 pm

Only ignorant poor people who swim in filth say Who Dat. GO FALCONS!

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
7:38 pm

BostonBCFan . . . is this your first time on these blogs?? Boy you should have been on them last year!! If you thought the anti Pats blogging during the Undefeated / TapeGate season was bad . . . .well the Vick/Ryan battles from day 1 consisted of some of the . . . . .guess I don’t have a better description . . . nastiest/ugliest blogging I’ve ever read. 80 % social and 20% football. It’s gotten much better now and mostly football talk. However, as long as it stays relatively clean – some pretty good debate . . . .if you like a good (or at least ongoing) debate:)

Once "Recent" Reader

October 26th, 2009
7:40 pm

. . . . .and Vick Supporter . . .I definitely respect your consistency on your views – although I don’t agree with many of the shortfalls you apply to M. Ryan.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
7:55 pm

I don’t see how Knapp got a job ever again. I guess it was true that when Knapp and Mora were both coordinators in SF, they made a pact that whoever got a head coaching job first would bring the other along as a coordinator. I think Mora was an ok figurehead, not much of a coach.

I think Mora would have kept his job if not for the slip of the tongue on radio about coaching U of Wash. along with his loyalty to Knapp. Man Knapp was awful!

BostonBCfan

October 26th, 2009
8:04 pm

Back from finishing some work so I can head to midwest tomorrow for work….yikes…going from here to minny is like going from the cold to the ice cold….anyway

One Recent Reader

……I followed the blogs last year but didn’t get involved much at all because of just what you said in your last post…it was pretty bad on here and it’s not fun or enjoyable when it’s like that…..But at least this year seems to be more about football most of the time. Having debate is a good thing. we all have our opinions and it can be fun to get involved when it’s just opinions and not the race against race stuff.

VS knows his football and he likes to irritate us sometimes but that’s okay too, because he really doesn’t bring race into his posts even though some interpret it that way sometimes….he’s just a big MV fan. Nothing wrong with that.

Speaking of MV,

VS did you hear what he just said on MNF. That he relied too much on his god given athletic ability and that probably hurt him alot and that is what I’ve been saying. That because of that he broke out of the pocket as soon as it looked even close to breaking down to try and make a play on his own instead of trusting his arm to make a play, which I believe he could have more times than not as he does have a rocket arm and he was accurate too alot of the time. But, that’s the way he played his whole life and it’s tough to change that internally when that’s what you’ve done your whole career.

Falcons will be okay everybody…as some of you have posted they will learn from this and make adjustments but next week will be tough and if they aren’t ready to go all out for 60 minutes, and I mean 60 full minutes, then it will be a long day…..but they can do it.

Doyle Hargraves

October 26th, 2009
8:18 pm

This hear is the real problem. When you ain’t got no secondary they pass and score on you real quiklike. Then you get the ball and you cant run so they keep blizten yo as and you fumble and throw intraceptions so then they score even more. They keep doing that cause now you behind and cant run you gotta throw to catch up. If you could just run the ball you can keep yo sorry as defence off the field so they cant give up even more points. There is one thing I know. I know a midget when I seen one and his name is Bent Grimes and he is sorry as a peece of antique furniture. ANd that makes me sick for the record.

And Keith Brookings can kiss my as.

Arno

October 26th, 2009
8:27 pm

Three out of the four Dallas TDs were scored from outside the red zone. The other was on that fluke play before the half. The Falcons felt they could give up the yards – like they did with Chicago – and still stuff them. Didn’t happen.

Brooking gave a decent interview with 680 the Fan.

"Mr. Falcon"

October 26th, 2009
8:35 pm

This loss falls on the offensive line. Nobody else! They did not do their job and the falcons lost. That’s it, end of conversation. This loss does not hurt that much. From what I saw it was typical of a road game in the NFL. The refs did not call at least three pas interference calls. That changed the entire game. The Falcons will not lose at home this year.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
8:36 pm

@BostonBCFAN

He has to learn to get the ball out as quick as possible which he does most times but when the d-line is in your face it’s hard to be accurate but he does a pretty good, solid job for a young QB.

See BC, this is where some have the issue about now and then. Back then this was rarely attributed to the Vick situation. Rarely did anyone draw relationship between OL play and QB play. Rarely! That is the sticking point with Vick Supporters and others when they read blogs like this where the current QB rarely gets criticism while everyone gets the blame.

"Mr. Falcon"

October 26th, 2009
8:43 pm

Brooking is a lower part of the female anatomy. This guy was trash talking while he did nothing. He sucks. I did not see him make one single play. What a damn punk. He really deserves some bad karma after acting the way he did.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
8:47 pm

I’m with you Mr. Smashmouth. When you sneak up on the league on year, best believe the league will catch up with you most likely the next. To blame Turner is due to a lack of understanding about trends in the NFL.

Like you stated, teams stack the box now. They want to force Ryan to beat them. Good strategy. To be honest, I think teams give Ryan too much respect. I think that ended Sunday. I look for teams to blitz more. Especially since you only have one play maker at WR. So Ryan will continue to stare down Gonzolez.

"Mr. Falcon"

October 26th, 2009
8:49 pm

Vick NEVER did anything when he WAS given time to throw. He never wanted to throw the ball, and he never new the play he was calling. He did not study film. He did not know where to throw the ball. He was never able to anticipate a route. If he would have stayed with Dan Reeves he would have been great, but he helped run Dan out of town. He blew it! He was fun to watch those first couple of years.

"Mr. Falcon"

October 26th, 2009
8:53 pm

Snelling should start the Falcons next game. Turner should come in as relief.

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
8:53 pm

I’ll tell you one thing Vick and Ryan have in common, they were/are, respectively, overrated. It’s like ESPN/etal are trying to wish the Falcons out of their four decade slump.

ESPN, for one, has turned from a South-hater, to a South-lover. Probably because of all the yankee transplants living here.

Arno

October 26th, 2009
8:58 pm

I would like to have seen Smith let Ryan have his way on that fourth down try. You’re in Dallas – let her rip.

monty

October 26th, 2009
9:03 pm

Falcons had better find a way to get to Breese be it blitzing or what. If they made Romo look like Fran Tarkenton, if they don’t put pressure on him it will be a natonal embarrassment. Dandy Don will be singing “turn out the lights” by half-time.

monty

October 26th, 2009
9:07 pm

Ryan is not overrated. Given the time Romo had to throw the ball he would have fared just as well. I counted on many Dallas passing plays that Romo had 4-5 seconds to look down the field without any pressure. Even I could pick apart a defense given 5 seconds to find a receiver.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:07 pm

Gamer, are you refering to the same Jenkins that has been here for the last 3-4 years. That is what he does, drop passes that hit his hands. I was stunned when the falcons kept him after his first 3 seasons. At least Roddy White got his head out of his behind and decided to catch the ball, with the occasional critical drop.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
9:15 pm

Man this blog really blows, no new post for almost 24 hours. I am a die-hard Cowboy fan living in Big D and LOVE the falcons for making Brooking a free agent this season. Keith has added a vital element to our team of talented but leaderless players. Mental foritude has been our problem for the last couple years and Brooking HAS brought toughness and leadership(something sorely lacking in Jerry-land recently)and a strong commmitment to winning. I do aplogize, but the Falcon ring of honor? What a joke.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:18 pm

Brookings is getting killed on this board..lol. Profanity and all. What happened to the threat of profanity users and race baiters being banned? I’ll observe with curiousity.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
9:20 pm

Paulove, interesting take from a Dallas fan. Don’t make fun of Falcons Ring of Honor man..lol

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
9:24 pm

monty, Ryan has a weak arm. He is overrated, imho, because all the pundits are all ready declaring him a superstar. That’s yet to be demonstrated on the field.

Paulov, did you enjoy Brooking’s TWO TACKLES? I know, it doesn’t take much to excite a steer-humper.

Uh Oh N.O.

October 26th, 2009
9:30 pm

In addition to Deion Sanders lets keep Keith Brooking out of the Ring of Honor. What a classless moron with the bird flap. Does he not remember that was from the ‘98 team which he was a part of, when was the last time that was ever done.

If he ever shows up to an alumni function at a game, after he retires, this fan will greet him with a boo.

Cool it

October 26th, 2009
9:33 pm

The falcons are 4-2. A very good argument could be made that we have the toughest schedule over the coming weeks. If we hang around or manage to stay above .500 we will have a real good shot at at least 9 and possibly 11 wins (in Falcons history that would mean a first –> in other words this becomes the greatest era in team history and everyone involved would deserve immense credit–> a team game). Atl should be excited with the direction but realistic with expectations of a super bowl or putting us on the level with the patriots or steelers (that is a ridiculous notion) I am sick of the race baiting in a great city like Atlanta. Both vick and ryan were overrated early on. This is a team game. Vick had the team built around him and he drove that and his life right into prison (regardless of passer rating faults that is unforgivable). Good riddance. Matt Ryan isn’t as good as the NFL wants him to be. He could be really great. He has a lot of football ahead of him. Right now this is a football team it is not built around an immature boy with athletic talent far beyond almost anyone on the planet. This is a team. If we get the run game going and manage to get lucky with flukey good secondary play we are a playoff team. That is well with in reach and that sounds pretty great for this franchise.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
9:48 pm

BIOMASS…yes indeed I did enjoy Brooking’s TWO TACKLES as well as his pre-game pep-talk. I did not see however any bird-flap or anything like it on Sunday. Steer-humper? well better that than having to HUMP one of those so-called stale and moldy Georgia peaches your second-rate state has to offer. And by-the-way, if you exclude Deion and Keith from the Falcons ring-of-honor, who will be left Chris Chandler?…LOL

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
10:00 pm

Paulov, so you admit to humping steers. Just as I always heard, nothing but steers and queers in Texas. Which one are you, BOY?

Eric C.

October 26th, 2009
10:00 pm

Snelling will be starting soon. A better running game will help the defense, the passing game, and Mike Smith.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
10:09 pm

Stanley Kubrick would sue you for copyright-infringement were he still alive.

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
10:14 pm

Well, I’m glad a fellow Tech man and Georgian was able to shine a ray of sunshine into your dusty scrub-land of a “state.” Good luck with Romo.

Ron Roberts

October 26th, 2009
10:15 pm

So lemme get this right…. the BACKUP QB from a 3-3 team would be the solution at QB for the currently 4-2 Atlanta Falcons… Matt Ryan’s QB ratings for his last two games would’ve been BANNER DAYS for a prior QB in a Falcons’ uniform, and that former QB is the “solution” for the Falcons’ woes?

Really? It’s not the lack of a running game, or the defenses’ inability to rush the opposing QB: it could ALLLLLL be fixed by re-acquiring the current backup QB from the 3-3 Philadelphia Eagles.

You want your opinion to be respected, bring some respect TO your opinion; in other words, think before you click “submit.” Be rational; not biased toward whatever this “cause” you believe so mightily in.

Because rest assured – this franchise IS going in the right direction and WILL do (this year) what no other Falcons’ team has done before – follow a winning season with another. Whether that means playoffs or not, it WILL be accomplished, and the RIGHT guy is playing QB for ‘em – and I can ASSURE you, the only publicity we’ll get from him in the offseason won’t land him on Nancy Grace or an episode of ‘Cops.’

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
10:18 pm

Well I am a Texas grad(how’s GT doing this season or for that matter any season?)LOL….as far as a ray of sunshine we have all we can handle in THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS!!!!

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
10:28 pm

I guess they don’t teach READIN’ dere at UT. Pick up a newspaper.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
10:32 pm

BIOMASS, no I don’t believe READIN’ was a course available at the University of Texas.

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
10:34 pm

Alas, pearls before swine. *sigh*

BIOMASS

October 26th, 2009
10:40 pm

I’ll leave you with this educational tidbit, Paulie. Did you know, after the US Civil War, huge numbers of Georgians moved to Texas? In 1875, almost 50,000 left GA for TX. A common sight in front of an abandoned house read “GTT.” Gone to Texas.

Post war times were hard in Georgia.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
11:04 pm

BIOMASS, of course that is correct as well as large numbers of people from Tennessee and other parts of the devastated Confederacy. Perhaps I have been wrong to admonish and slander the state Georiga, and for that I aplogize.

Scott

October 26th, 2009
11:05 pm

Well, I don’t get into the whole state thing…but as far as second class organizations go, there’s kids that are in their teens now that weren’t alive the last time the Cowboys won a playoff game. Can’t say the same about the Falcons…make of that what you may.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
11:09 pm

Hard to fathom Scott but alas that is the case. The organization seems about as far from 5 SB’s as Georgia is from Texas.

PMC

October 26th, 2009
11:24 pm

Shouldn’t a “first class” organization have a playoff win this decade?

Just like a Dallas Fan. Big Hat. No Cattle. Celebrating a regular season win because they know come January… it will last one week… Hell just put your boy Brooking in there and see how he does in coverage.

I wonder what the excuse will be this year when they get killed by the Eagles in December with a playoff birth on the line…..

RB

October 26th, 2009
11:34 pm

I said it last year, Turner should drop at least 10 pounds. Not knowing his weight before becoming a Falcon, I would bet he’s put on some pounds.

lamac66

October 26th, 2009
11:39 pm

Too funny. One lost and so-called fans want to throw their MVP caliber RB under the bus already. That’s Atlanta Football for you.

GT GRAD

October 26th, 2009
11:40 pm

Jeff,

Nice job restricting the race baiters and “over-the-top” bloggers……….the blog atmosphere is so much better than before when these bloggers were involved. Thanks!

I recorded the game and watched it a second time in an attempt to see what some of the more rabid “Brooking haters” must have seen that I apparently missed the first go round…………..I simply do not understand why so many bloggers are fevoroushly attacking Brooking so much. He should not have done the VERY short bird thing with his arms, but other than that incident everything else was simply him being amped in support of his team. People need to settle down a little and stop with the over-reactions and heavy handed agressive attacks! Grow up and stop being so judgemental.

tell like it is

October 26th, 2009
11:43 pm

you thank the dallas game was bad waite till monday night.

Scott

October 26th, 2009
11:43 pm

Hey lamac..can you tell me a fanbase where all the fans are happy after a loss and never question any of their players? As I said in another post, just b/c fans question things doesn’t mean that they don’t still pull for their team or players. So how about you find another team and another blog if you think that we should all be sheep and blindly toss bouquets for all players after every game. Thanks, bye.

Paulov

October 26th, 2009
11:45 pm

That Eagles defeat should have been coachcupcake’s last….absolutely shameful display. By-the-way PMC, playoff wins in Dallas mean dick, it’s Superbowls that we want. We of course blame Jerry and his ego for this shameful lack of production. As far as celebrating a regular-season win or for that matter a playoff win, you Falcon fans should know all about that because, of course that is all you know since your franchise’s inception.

lamac66

October 27th, 2009
12:00 am

Scott, I can find plenty of blogs where fans won’t panick after one game and throw one of their star players under the bus soley. As you have the right to question players, I have the right to question whatever I please.

Nowhere have I said fans should toss anything at players. That’s on you fellow. There is no rule stating you can’t go on whichever blog you please.

I am an NFL fan. I visit blogs of many teams. I will contintue to do so as long as I am an NFL fan. If you don’t like what I post, don’t read or respond. No thanks for your advice. Adios.

Vick Supporter

October 27th, 2009
12:10 am

Good to see people giving me my props

I just talk football…not the race BS

Paulov

October 27th, 2009
12:13 am

lamac66, ever visit the Dallas Morning News web site for the Cowboys. The Dallas fans and media are among the MOST harsh on their team even after a win.

Paulov

October 27th, 2009
12:29 am

DeMarcus just got a little a Jerry’s money…hooray….maybe we’ll see 21 sacks this year!!!!

Scott

October 27th, 2009
1:02 am

I’m not really sure where questioning why a player doesn’t look quite the same as he did last year is “throwing him under the bus”. I don’t think anyone said he should be cut…and I’m pretty sure people have been wondering about this all season..not after one loss. Hell, even Troy Aikman during the game telecast was pointing out how the Atlanta running game wasn’t the same as last year.

Wilson

October 27th, 2009
1:33 am

I agree that Vick and Ryan are good quarterback but both are good in their on way.Yes Ryan is having the same problem Vick was having with the offensive line not protection him much at times.I also say that Vick didn’t say to much about the offensive line their because of the contract he got an would you.Ryan is a good quarterback but this organization should let him be free meaning letting him talk more chances going deep and open up the offense.I understand why because he is young and it all about money.I would probably do the same thing if I was the boss.It is not turner fault why he is not getting the yards and getting in the holes.Teams are stacking the line with 7 or 8 and letting the rookie beat team.The good teams normally cause trouble because they are getting the pressure and making the quarterback react quicker and take him out of his game.I think the falcons will have a good chance of making the playoffs at 9-7 because it will be other with that record.

screg

October 27th, 2009
2:01 am

bring in chris mcalister and ricky manning

Are you kidding me?

October 27th, 2009
2:56 am

I have noticed the real reason so many people dont like Matt Ryan…Because hes white…what kind of racism is that…

david

October 27th, 2009
8:45 am

The Falcons are lucky to be 4-2 right now they have only played one complete game all year @49ers. They are failing at every aspect of the game. To get better they have to be better up front on both sides of the ball. And as for my fav player michael turner make him take a seat I saw 6 runs were he had huge cutback lanes and thats were all the big runs came from last year. They keep talking about we can’t get the big run my god open your eyes. Jason Snelling did and had a 31 yard run on yes a cutback. If we can start running more effectively Matt Ryan will be better. He is good but not ready to carry a team on his shoulders. 2nd half of season is going to be alot of home games against weaker opp so lets just get to 5-3 through 8 games and we’ll be fine. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

da roosta

October 27th, 2009
8:45 am

Keith Brooking’s antics were just another way of confirming to me what I already knew. Dallas is a classless organization with a bunch of undisciplined players. Keith went over to the Falcons sideline after every change of possession and taunted the whole team. Where is the penalty? As a coach, how do you let this happen? Even run to the middle of the field FROM THE SIDELINE on the last interception with your helmet off pointing to the other sideline? Notice, he wasn’t in the game. Keith is right where he needs to be. I know Keith personally and was disappointed to say the least. I have lost respect for him. I was at the game and not sure how much was shown on TV. Trust me, he showed no class from start to finish.

dean

October 27th, 2009
8:47 am

Saints fans have never forgotten this: Sep 16, 1974 at NOLA: ATL-62 NOLA- 7. I know I haven’t! Now THAT was fun to watch.

By-the-way, Turner put his “problems” on his back yesterday. He’ll be fine.

lamac66

October 27th, 2009
10:18 am

Dallas, an classless organization with undisciplined players. Ok, they beat your team though so…..

Chea

October 27th, 2009
5:23 pm

JEFF SCHULTZ WITH THE ON-POINT BLOG!

Is Turner playing like a running back who should be starting in this league? Right now, he’s not NFL material. Wouldn’t the Falcons look good with Knowshon?

Thank you Jeff, for defying the conventional logic that commentators ram down our throats. I saw an article recently that said something about Turner being the 2nd best running back in the league behind Adrian. I was flabbergasted. Way too much group think out there.

Keep it up!

hiramsaint

October 27th, 2009
5:48 pm

dean — theres a very good chance the score may be the same but the teams reversed come mon. night

Cowboy girl

October 27th, 2009
7:14 pm

I can’t stop laughing at these comments on Keith Brooking. I thought his excitement was awesome. Yeah, Atlanta fans might see a bit of bitterness but why not. When you’re told that you are being let go because it is a Young man’s game and then your replaced by someone the same age and experience and making more money, yeah I would be a little bitter and would love to slam my previous team. In your face a little? What aggressive player wouldn’t be. It doesn’t mean anything about Keith’s class. Anyone that truly knows him, realizes he is a different person on the field. That is what makes him a great player. By the way how many of you have been to 5 Pro Bowls, 1 Super Bowl and in the league for 12 years? Zero. That is what I thought. Falcons fans get over the fact that Keith is supporting his new team and not your’s and concentrate on why your team let you down once again. Why woould he be loyal to a previous team anyway? Especially one that is not loyal to him.

dean

October 28th, 2009
9:18 am

Hiramsaint, you’re right it could happen. But it DID happen. We’ll see soon enough. The Falcons are my team but dadgummit this is going to be a tough one for us to leave town with a W.

ERich42

October 28th, 2009
3:08 pm

Looks like the good ole boy Matt Ryan chokes against defenses that put pressure on him. To be honest he has not played well the last 3 weeks and looks like the int’s are about to start piling up. If you ask me he has Jeff Francouer written all over him. Hype up after one year and has done nothing since. Should have waited on Vick and built the defense.

dean

October 28th, 2009
4:03 pm

“Should have waited on Vick and built the defense.”

That’s the dumbest, well, one of the dumbest things I’ve read so far this week. If you think Vick is worthy of starting anywhere that isn’t in Cleveland (and maybe Oakland) you must be a relative or a former cellmate.

Roger

October 29th, 2009
10:18 pm

Who cares about Keith Brooking? He was never considered a premier LB in the NFL. Although he consistently led the Falcons in tackles each year, he was widely known for making tackles on his back; and he contributed little to Dallas’ victory – like he did in Atl for 11 years. What a scum bag.

Steve

November 3rd, 2009
8:53 am

Yeah- Turner is awful. He looked really terrbile last night against the Saints. He is the EXACT same back he was last year, which is pretty darn good. The Falcons used a little more deception in the run game, and Turner had some holes to get through.

Jason Snelling- careful what you wish for, can’t even stay on the field with a modest work load.

Turner was a beast last night, give him his due.

london indian escort

July 17th, 2010
10:29 pm

It was extremely interesting for me to read that post. Thanks for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.

Brandy Stepman

Falcons’ charmed existence ends, problems start with Turner

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