We’re live from Falcons-Carolina (they have a DeAngelo, too)
Springsteen, singing, "I'm somewhere in the U-S-A."
CHARLOTTE –After driving from Atlanta to Charlotte for the night Friday, then to Durham for the Georgia Tech game Saturday morning, then back to Charlotte for today’s Falcons’ game, I’m happy to say I know where I am. Suppose that puts me ahead of Bruce Springsteen, who clearly has jumped off one too many speakers and greeted a crowd in Auburn Hills, Mich., Saturday night with,”Hello, Ohio!” Oh, Bruce.
Anyway, Springsteen clearly is not the only lost and confused soul here on earth. Question: What was Ray Anderson thinking?
I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this because we’re a few days past the decision and I know you would much rather focus on today’s Falcons-Carolina game. But I never weighed in after Anderson, a former Falcons’ executive who now dispenses fines for the NFL, slapped Falcons coach Mike Smith
Mike Smith has his players' back, and vice-versa.
with a $15,000 fine and, more specifically, chose not to fine DeAngelo Hall anything for last week’s sideline scrum.
I can tell you this much: 1) The Falcons, all the way up to owner Arthur Blank, were stunned and furious about the decision; 2) You’re never going to hear them say that.
Privately, they’re still seething, but publicly they’ll tell you’ve moved on. They also know that in a credibility contest, Mike Smith vs. DeAngelo Hall is not a contest.
Smith’s hero status with his players and Falcons’ fans probably is even greater now than it was before. And you have to like the fact that somebody has set up an “Official Coach Smith Fine Charity” fund with PayPal.
“The only thing I will say is Mike Smith is truly an ambassador for this football league,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said this morning. “He’s highly regarded, highly respected, and not just within this organization but across the league. He’s someone for the entire fan base to be proud of. He’s going to stick up for his football team.”
OK, off the soapbox and onto today’s game. Carolina (3-5) lost last week to New Orleans. But the team has played much better since an 0-3 start. Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and is among NFL leaders with 768 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games. And despite what you may have heard earlier in the week about Williams possibly being sidelined with a knee injury, he is not on Carolina’s inactive list.
The Falcons’ inactive list includes two significant absences: left tackle Sam Baker (left ankle) and running back Jerious Norwood (right hip flexor). This will be Norwood’s fourth straight game out. Will Svitek, a free agent pick up from Kansas City, will make his first start at left tackle.
Matt Ryan has to step up his game today. The Panthers’ defense likely will load up to try to stop running back Michael Turner, so Ryan should have opportunities. Obviously, pass protection, which has been an issue, also is key.
The Falcons need to win today because they have a difficult stretch of games coming up: at New York Giants, Tampa Bay (OK, that one’s easy), Philadelphia and New Orleans.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m going to grab some coffee and I’ll be right back.
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1,282 comments Add your comment
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
Matt Ryan has more interceptions than Delhomme the past month. Ive got to quit drinking so much.
Extremus
November 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
This one’s going to be a tough game I believe, on the road against a team that’s turned things around since starting 0-3, as you said, Mr. Schultz. We absolutely cannot look past this game toward the one next week against the Giants, because Carolina is still very potent and poentially dangerous themselves.
I agree with you 100 percent about Mike Smith; he’s earned a lot of credibility with not only his players and the fans, but perhaps with future free agents and draftees as well, as a man they can count on to have their back. How much this will ultimately impact future drafts and signings is not yet clear, but one thing’s for sure; it didn’t hurt one bit.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
12:41 pm
Cattle Dawg — Delhomme had 13 interceptions in first 6 games, but 0 in the last 2.
Extremus — Word about owners, organizations and coaches spreads quickly in this league. But I think a lot of players, particularly defensive players, already knew about Smith.
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
12:42 pm
Jeff, do you think u can dig into the whole Fergie and tattle tale stripper drama. Im sure you could uncover the real truth. Falcons roll today, as do my cowboys.
The Professor
November 15th, 2009
12:45 pm
That’s a real shame about Norwood. I wonder if the Falcons will try to draft a speedy change-up back next spring since Norwood keeps getting hurt.
old Tech fan in NC
November 15th, 2009
12:46 pm
The Smith you birds need to worry about is named Steve.
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
12:46 pm
How good of a job do you think Van Gorder has done so far this year? Also, do the players like him? Thanks Jeff, Ill hang up an listen.
DJ
November 15th, 2009
12:47 pm
What? The Panthers are going to try and load the box and stop the run?
After 8 weeks of the opponent’s using the same strategy my question has become have Matt and the Falcons learned how to counter this? And, can they do it against a good team on the road?
Not Disappointed!
November 15th, 2009
12:50 pm
Afternoon Jeff & Falcon Fans! Jeff, I appreciate you blogging with us yesterday and thanks for the great coverage. Let’s Go Falcons.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 15th, 2009
12:50 pm
Matty bucks his trend today and puts the team on his back.
No Soup for you!
November 15th, 2009
12:51 pm
Tough game today Jeffrey. Falcons have significant offensive injuries to overcome and I’m not sure Matty Ice is playing at the top of his game yet. Missing Finneran still, now Norwood is out, Sam Baker’s protected his backside pretty well and while Svitek shouldn’t be a pushover, the chemistry thing along the line will be iffy at best. Also, isn’t White’s knee giving him problems? All of a sudden our receiving corps is looking at bit thin….
If our line can keep Matt “Peppers – free” this afternoon, maybe he can do the slice and dice thing well enough to keep us in front of the Cats offense.
I think we can win, but I think its going to be much tougher than some of the folks think its going to be. My hope is that Van Gorder has his guys primed for punishment and we can play four solid quarters of defense.
Tampabound
November 15th, 2009
1:00 pm
how was the traffic Jeff driving from Durham to Charlotte? With Duke, Wake, UNC and NCSt hosting games along with App St at Elon, it was a pain.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 15th, 2009
1:00 pm
I would like to know which TV markets warrant Suragusa’s job.
My distain for him is only rivaled by ESPN.
Sonny Clusters
November 15th, 2009
1:01 pm
Coaches should never be fined for taking up on they own sideline. Somebody coming over to the other team’s sideline and strutting around should be fined instead. Same with blogging.
Sonny Clusters
November 15th, 2009
1:03 pm
They is a vampire on the field.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:04 pm
Cattle Dawg — I’l have to get back to you about Fergie. And the stripper.
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
1:06 pm
Ill take the big goose over that motor mouth Berman any day. I cant stand Chucky Gruden as well
Cuz
November 15th, 2009
1:06 pm
Jeff thanks for doing Yeoman duty in your coverage of the Jackets yesterday and now the Falcons today. I would like to give you a laurel and a hearty handshake. Is Alex Karras at the game? Let him park wherever he wants.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 15th, 2009
1:06 pm
Good 3 down hold by the birds.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:07 pm
And the CHOKE continues……………….
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:08 pm
Great cutback by M.T. .. He’s really run well the last 2-plus weeks.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:08 pm
4-Straight games with a pick…………..
Keep the streak alive
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:09 pm
Turner got them there, let’s see Peyton live up to the hype
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
1:09 pm
Turner is getting it going. I thought he might score.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:10 pm
Protection was fine. Carolina had good covg. on that play.
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
The big goose just said Ryan has happy feet
tmac
November 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
shaky start for matt ryan. he missed jenkins on the LB and leaving the pocket to quickly… settle down.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
Let’s recap………….
Turner got 47 hards on the drive and the best the CHOKE could do is a 5-yard bomb?
Is it still Turner’s fault?
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:12 pm
Not Disappointed – Thanks. One more assignment in NC and I have voting rights.
Sonny – Wait. You saying I should be fined?
Cuz – Alex Karras. I remember him. Lions could use him.
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:12 pm
Yay!!! We have these clowns on the broadcast again!!
BONE
November 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
Man Matty Choke u might as well stop. They wouldn’t blame Matt Ryan even if he had -50 yards and 3 ints.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
Cattle Dawg — Actually, he’s might’ve had happy feet that last play. From up here it looked like he had more time than he might’ve thought.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
He is looking worst than Harrington!
Does Turner have to pass the ball too?
gotech610
November 15th, 2009
1:14 pm
Go Falcons!
Matt Ryan needs to settle down a little and the recievers need to get open and finish the routes to give him something to throw too on the roll out
Matt "Noodle Feet" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:14 pm
I think this should be the new moniker…combination of Noodle Arm and Happy Feet.
Personally, I’m much more worried about the Happy Feet than teh Noodle Arm
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:15 pm
BONE
November 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
Man Matty Choke u might as well stop. They wouldn’t blame Matt Ryan even if he had -50 yards and 3 ints.
“And you know why”
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:16 pm
Why does Fox not like Falcons?
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
“hey 50 is the mike” lol
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
So where’s the pass covg?
bigdave
November 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
obvious push off…
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
Wheres the interference?
cattle dawg
November 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
The Moose and the Goose. Should’nt they be a wacky fm morning show. D better step up, panthers driving
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
That’s not how you draw that up . . .
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
I think Jake is looking more Peyton like.
mmgtfan
November 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
DRAFT JOE HADEN!!!!
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
we have no pass coverage
GTJackets
November 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Falcons D looking horrible
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Steve Smith is about to open up a can of Whip Azz
tmac
November 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Everyone calling M. Ryan a “choke” or he sux… chill the freak out! Everyone in the league compares his first year and now 2nd year to only P. Manning. Is he perfect? no, but he is WAY ahead of any young qb in a long time in this league.
Is it because he’s white? if so, then take your racist comments somewhere else please. Cause there is no better young qb better.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Dehomme went 4-for-4 in that drive … 5 for 5 in the game since opening with incomplete.
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Moose is an idiot!
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:20 pm
Coverage is weak but also no pressure either.. And Tye Hill: Not good.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
Is that Ty Hill or Bobby Hill at CB?
GTJackets
November 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
Moose got away with pass interference on that one
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
Jake did his job, let’s see what the CHOKE can do.
Sure are a lot of crickets on CHOKE’s jock today
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
I just hope falcons try to sign a big free agent DB or trade for one
Dawgs Man
November 15th, 2009
1:21 pm
Looks like Willie Martinez is guest defensive secondary coach for Falcons today.
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:22 pm
Mute pls!!!
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:23 pm
lol@Dawgs
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:23 pm
or falcons should draft morgan DE from tech
Tim
November 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
Mike Smith may be a defensive-minded coach, but the Falcons defense is terrible. Can’t tackle and can’t cover.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
Are crickets better than crabs, jock inspector?
FalconsPathers
November 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
Isn’t funny how “Matt “Choke” Ryan” watches the Falcons games each and every week?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:25 pm
BUSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
mmgtfan
November 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
Maybe we can convince Oakland to trade that Asomugha for a 6th round pick
FalconsPathers
November 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
so they’re just not going to call PI at all today?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
Just when I think the CHOKE can’t get any worse………….
He surprises me……………
What a BUST
Jamie
November 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
Can we get any consistancy with the refs???? WTF!!!!!
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:26 pm
ryan is falling in love with tony to much…
Dawgs Man
November 15th, 2009
1:27 pm
BONE. Get outta here.
tmac
November 15th, 2009
1:27 pm
Choke- you chill out dude. exactly it’s only football.
Why do you (and others like you) insist M. Ryan is a “choke” or anything close. Cut the garbage and gain some credibility.
This just is, qb’s don’t have perfect games, perfect drives, perfect seasons… M. Ryan is way ahead of the curve.
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:28 pm
look at how many people are in the box…throw it deep to white
Tim
November 15th, 2009
1:28 pm
Hey, Bone. Let us know when Ryan gets thrown in jail for a couple of years for being a criminal.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:29 pm
4 for 8………..Dude quit impersonation an NFL QB before you hurt yourself
BONE
November 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Ok Tim lol. I’m just talking about on the field play buddy.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Elam get your foot ready
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
like i said hes falling in love with tony to much…
mmgtfan
November 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Dude Ryan sucks
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:31 pm
4 for 9……….this IDIOT sucks sooooooo bad
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
Turner is wasting another good performance
tmac
November 15th, 2009
1:31 pm
choke- I knew it you were a racist idiot.
Keep posting your trash and proving me right and confirming to everyone what an idiot you are.
dawgfan13
November 15th, 2009
1:31 pm
Why does Matt Ryan continue to throw only to Tony G. Do we have any other recievers?
FalconsPathers
November 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
the only Vick had going was that he could run. Other than that he was a pretty average QB … his average numbers back that up.
DHunt
November 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
OK I am getting worried about Ryan. Forget about being mad a Choke for a while and ask yourself why there are no open receivers, why he can’t get the ball to Gonzales on that third down, and who the hell is thinking the best use of Roddy and M. Jenkins is on 2 yard quick passes with no blocking set up to try to make the play work.
Sonny Clusters
November 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
When we was younger and the moms would bring us after-the-game snacks we always liked the pork rinds and cheetos. The Cobb County teams would have fruit cups and yogurt. That says a lot about a team.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:32 pm
This is really embarrasing. Like I said, Smitty was frustrated with the CHOKE and it cost him 15,000 bucks
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:33 pm
Why does Matt Ryan continue to throw only to Tony G. Do we have any other recievers?
thats what i been saying…hes only looking at tony and hes going to throw more INTs if he keeps doing that
Vick Supporter
November 15th, 2009
1:33 pm
Ryan can’t hit the broadside of a barn,lol
Jabeer
November 15th, 2009
1:33 pm
Ryan the one year fluke. He ain’t no good. Falcons about to get run over by carolina. Ryan a big bust. You will see.
Matt "Noodle Feet" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:33 pm
Is it possible that getting Tony G has actually been the worst thing possible for Ryan’s progression as a QB? Maybe he’s too much of a safety valve. Hall of Fame TE + Happy Feet + Checkdown mentality + average OL + smart NFL defensive coordinators + Noodle Arm = SUCKY PASSING GAME
Sonny Clusters
November 15th, 2009
1:34 pm
Carolina is barbecue country. Jeff, is they any barbecue handy?
DHunt
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Defensively we got to get penetration from the front 4. Why isn’t 98 getting more time on the blocks. He has shown that is where he excels.
J.J.M.
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
2 bad theres not another game on right now
Jabeer
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Falcons will only win 2 more games. Then all you suckers you thought ryan was so good will be crying. You guys are so fooled.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Bone — I’m not letting anybody bring race into the game blog.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
I thought Smitty was a defensive guru. His defense is his fault. He is a bust just like Dimitroff and the CHOKE
Dawgs Man
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Best defense we have today is them dropping the ball.
tmac
November 15th, 2009
1:35 pm
Ryan is 10 times the qb MV7 is.
People convienently forget how poor MV was his last 3+ years here. MV couldn’t and can’t hold MR jock as a qb.
FalconsPathers
November 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
hey look the defense is “chocking” but those who like to blame Ryan for the offense’s troubles aren’t going to blame the defense when it’s going bad …. typical of those people
Matt "Noodle Feet" Ryan
November 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
Did we re-sign Brooking this week? all of our tackles are 7 yards downfield, after being dragged by real men NFL players.
Vick Supporter
November 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
Ryan’s arm gets tired about this time of the season. Alot of his passes are sailing on him, especially his classic 5yd passes that he’s famous for