Ryan shows rust in return but leads victory in the end
Matt Ryan completed only 16 of 34 passes for 152 yards in his return, but went 6 for 9 in the Falcons' winning drive. (AP photo)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After a week punctuated by more news of players and their mind-altering substances, the forecast of a blizzard for their upcoming road trip and then life-support finally being pulled on their playoff hopes, the Falcons didn’t project for a real uplifting finish to this season.
Fortunately, they had two things going for them Sunday: 1) They were playing the New York Jets, opponent of opportunity (they botched three field goals); 2) Matt Ryan kind of has something to prove.
Ryan was not good for most of Sunday. One reason was the wind, which often turned passes into knuckleballs. The other reason was nearly three weeks of inactivity, which helped turn an already struggling quarterback into a pedestrian one. (Ryan’s numbers before the Falcons’ final possession: 10 for 25, 115 yards.)
But you can tell a lot about a guy by how he finishes when misery is all around him — and what we see from the Falcons and Ryan in these final three games will go a long way toward what we think about the team and their franchise centerpiece going into the offseason.
Ryan provided a memory Sunday. How long had it been?
He completed five of his first six passes in the final drive and later drilled a fourth-down, six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez with 1:38 left in the game, giving the Falcons a 10-7 win over the Jets in the Meadowlands.
Is it cause for a parade? No.
Does it make up for the losses at Carolina or Dallas or the Giants, or certainly that comatose showing at home against Philadelphia? Hardly.
But how much would you be wondering about Ryan and the Falcons right now if they looked as anemic on that last drive as they did for most of Sunday?
Tony Gonzalez was ecstatic after the Jets' defense left him some room in the end zone for the winning touchdown. (AP photo)
“You can tell a lot from a game like today about a guy’s character,” center Todd McClure said. “When you’re not playing for the playoffs, it’s easy to just mail it in. Nobody did that today.”
That wasn’t an option, not for the Falcons (who at 7-7 still have a shot at a second straight winning season) and certainly not Ryan. He missed the last two games with turf toe. He took only 25 percent of the snaps in practice last week. Factor in the lingering effects of the injury (he wore a walking boot again after the game), the weather and the Jets’ defense (ranked No. 1 in yardage and points allowed), and Ryan at times Sunday was giving Falcons’ fans Joey Harrington-flashbacks.
But he wasn’t Harrington in the end. On fourth-and-goal from the six, Ryan ignored a thrown snowball that fell just to his left and fired a laser to the open Gonzalez. The Jets inexplicably were in soft zone coverage near the goal line, giving the Falcons’ obvious No. 1 receiving option way too much cushion.
Gonzalez’s reaction to the defensive call: “Oh my God.”
It’s the ending Ryan wanted, and needed.
Coach Mike Smith decided after warm-ups that Ryan would start. “You could tell Matt was pumped,” McClure said. “He started head-butting everybody.”
Ryan said, “It’s tough when you’re out for a couple of weeks. There’s nothing like playing a game.”
Smith said he thought his quarterback looked “rusty.” But he expected that.
Ryan didn’t use that word. “Not too bad,” he said of his performance. “There were some throws I would’ve liked to have made better. But that’s every game. My rhythm felt good. My timing felt good.”
Actually, timing on the field looked like it could have been better, although the wind played havoc in the passing game. The timing in the big picture was perfect. The Falcons had lost four out of their last five to drop to 6-7. Jonathan Babineaux’s embarrassing arrest report for felony marijuana possession, and Eric Weems’ DUI arrest report, both became public during the week. Then Dallas upset New Orleans Saturday night, ending a long-shot playoff scenario.
McClure: “The one time we need the Saints to win, they lose.”
And how’s this for a drought? Ryan hadn’t started and finished a win since Nov. 8 against Washington. No wonder it seemed like a while.
Ryan and the Falcons finish up with Buffalo and Tampa Bay. The shot at a 9-7 record and at least some sense of accomplishment is real. It’s not nearly at the level anybody expected. But things looked a whole lot worse before that last pass.
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235 comments Add your comment
Navigator
December 21st, 2009
10:49 am
Schultz, sometimes I don’t understand if you’re a sports writer or a blog instigator. Ryan didn’t do this and Ryan didn’t do that, may that’s weak. Why don’t you mention first that the offensive line is not healthy, and that he’s got bench players running the ball. Also mention that most time his receivers either can’t shake free or quit on their routes. Oh you did finally mention the 40 mph wind gust that made most long passes an adventure. I really am tired of the constant discussion about QB’s and so little about how this “TEAM’S” failures to win games due to poor play of the “TEAM” offensively or defensively. Let’s not forget the wasted offensive plays yesterday on first down where the Falcons constantly ran up the middle for no gain. We may need more players for our team, but we need new writers that want to tell the story rather than starting every column with inflammatory subjects.
Sporty Black
December 21st, 2009
10:51 am
I’m in stitches Ricky.
Ricky
December 21st, 2009
10:56 am
Navigator, so I see you are figuring out how it works. If they didn’t “write to incite” (hey, I coined that, don’t rip me off) only “Choke” would be here.
Tami
December 21st, 2009
11:06 am
Hey….I saw more out of this game than I expected — a win. I missed most of the first half, saw that we were close near halftime. Came back for good about halfway through the 3rd quarter. It could have been a predictably horrible win, but the boys were sure playing great defense against the Jets that I had a hard time not watching the game. In the end, 7-7 is better than what it could have been — 5-7. What I was most impressed with was that the young cornerbacks showed up and played great pass defense — something I haven’t seen the team play in a while. Hopefully the guys end up with a winning record and something to build off of for 2010. I love that the Saints lost, no matter what. The Falcons’ chances of making the playoffs weren’t that solid anyway going into yesterday’s games.
DHunt
December 21st, 2009
11:18 am
As a lifelong Falcons fan, most of you people disgust me.
I’ve never seen so much celebration of a team not quitting. That’s like celebrating your priest not molesting the alter boys. It kind of misses the obvious point that they aren’t supposed to quit. I can understand coming down on them when they do seem to give up, but all the joy and glee because they came to work and did their jobs is so weak.
I cannot believe you Redneck homers would actually spend this much time and energy propping up Matt Ryan’s broken pedestal. Any other QB that played that badly, would have been roasted all over the place. When Vick put up those kinds of passing numbers he was vilified as nothing more than a glorified running back (conveniently ignoring the fact that he had more than likely put up close to 75 yards rushing and picked up a few clutch 3rd down conversions-and 3rd down conversions rarely ever happen for the Falcons anymore). Now your savior has a crappy game, by almost any measure you want to use, and all we can do is make excuses for why he was so bad, and pretend that he looked like a world beater on the last drive of the game (which he most certainly did not)? It’s pathetic, it’s embarrassing, and unfortunately, it’s vintage Falcons football fan foolishness.
Defense won this game. but while everyone gives the Jets defense credit for playing a good game (can’t even count how many times Reevis was given defensive player of the year creds, when all he really did yesterday was recover well on several under thrown Matt Ryan passes yet fail to intercept any of them. Roddy had the man beat at least three times that I saw, and two of those times Ryan threw a really crappy pass, and the other time Ryan would have had to throw the ball more than 25 yards, which seems to be against some new rule that is only applied to Falcons starting QB’s, so of course he threw the ball away.
It’s certainly right and proper to celebrate any Falcons win. It’s dumb as hell to attribute the Jets scoring only 7 points to their bad rookie QB play, and in the same breath, pretend that our 10 points was a stunning showing of courage and triumph over all kinds of obstacles by our slumping 2nd year QB. If Reevis had a good game yesterday, then Grimes and DeCoud played like Pro-Bowlers.
It’s certainly right and proper to hope and pray for a winning season (playing for a good draft spot is also a loser mentality that has too often been a Falcons fan mainstay). It’s still complete B.S. to pretend like this team has done anything other than under-perform this year. And much of that isn’t on the players, it’s on the coaching staff for not putting the team in better positions to win games against Carolina, New England, Philadelphia, New York Giants, and when the Saints came marching in last week.
Every NFL team has injuries to key players. Every NFL team has to go out and play the game against whoever shows up on the other sideline every Sunday. Some of the teams with bad records this year have shown that they can compete on any given Sunday even against some of the strongest teams in the league. Stop making excuses Falcons fans, Expect more from the team, management, and the fan base, and you might actually get what you hope for. A credible team that comes to play and plays to win on the field and in the coaching box, every single week. Then we could spend less time talking about curses and more time talking about football around here.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:19 am
Tami, when Dallas won Saturday night it eliminated the Falcons from the playoffs.
So you are correct, the Falcons’ chances of making the playoffs weren’t that solid anyway going into yesterday’s games.
I thought Ryan played an excellent game, great pass at the end, zipping that ball to Gonzalez….!! What an arm……!!
Rodster
December 21st, 2009
11:32 am
Hey, give the Falcon’s credit for getting the win. They could have mailed it in and they did not. The Jets defense is seriously tough. Their corners were very good.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:36 am
Like I said since draft day last season, this CHUMP is a BUST.
Even when he puts up 69 QB RATINGS he gets congratulations – makes you wonder the brain cells of those people
But seriously, the Falcons screwed up by throwing away 72 million dollars on a total BUST who threw 22 PICKS as a 5th year senior in college, so Dimitroff is a total idiot thinking this CLOWN could all of a sudden develop into anything other than a BACKUP.
All the money that Blank has thrown away, just to make this REJECT look good. Hell, he couldn’t even show some nerve and play in the game that will shape up the LITTLE legacy that he has, by not showing up to defend his dome, but instead he FAKED an injury so that he was not EMBARRASSED by the former Franchise quarterback.
This is a very WEAK little boy and by no means is NFL material.
While Joe Flacco is leading his team to his 2nd STRAIGHT playoff appearance, the CHOKE will be spending the holidays with Grandma CHOKE.
2004 & Counting SUCKERS
midnite
December 21st, 2009
11:46 am
Choke
You are the king of switching names you little weasel.
I was never banned. It was an imposter(we think it was you, you have a history).
Did you see the apology from Schultz?
It was probably you at one of your little friends houses.
Don’t you need to go give your boyfriend his rub down?
You two can talk about killing dogs, you know how you have bragged about that abusing animals.
You suffer from rejection and low self esteem. You are a pitiful little immature coward.
midnite
December 21st, 2009
11:49 am
Choke
I offered to meet you at the Eagles game and give you my old on field Vick jersey. You disappeared for days after my offer. You are a pitiful little coward.
vafalconfan
December 21st, 2009
11:50 am
The Falcons overcame the poor playcalling once again to win. Nice job! Unlike the Mora/Vick years, this team has real chracter and it showed today..
Hollywould
December 21st, 2009
11:51 am
Stat boy never gives up. While it was said that your boy and AB would be meeting for the summer
who said it? I did not hear Arthur Blank say it. Oh, it was your boy and you know his word is GOLD.
Gold plated maybe, kinda like Tiger’s to his wife.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:54 am
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:29 am
I want to make it clear I am not writing these entries. Someone is trying to make me look like
an idiot. I know that is not difficult to do but it really isn’t fair since that is about all I’ve got. I only support MV7 because he is somewhat intellectually challenged like myself and I somehow feel I succeed when he does. Actually, truth is, right now my leg hurts and I am not sure why. I know Matt Ryan is an excellent QB, just if I admitted it nobody would play with me. So please, do not write like you are me, don’t be me, and don’t be like Mike either.
Ricky
December 21st, 2009
11:59 am
Choke, what is wrong with you. Do you not realize how stupid it makes you look to compare Ryan and Stucco?
********************************************************************************************
That is the most idiotic blog entry I have ever seen. Seriously, EVER.
The Baltimore Ravens 2009 NFL strength of schedule was ranked 28th.
The Atlanta Falcons 2009 NFL strength of schedule was ranked 4th.
You went to a lot of trouble there fella to make a Non-Point. All but 4 AFC teams are essentially playing .500 ball. Whoop te do, big deal stats. If the Falcons were in the AFC they would be in the playoffs too.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
12:00 pm
- Price to send a franchise backwards…. 72 million
- Number of playoff wins since 2007 ….. Zero
- The owner hugging the former franchise quarterback at mid field…
PRICELESS
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
12:02 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:54 am
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 21st, 2009
11:29 am
I want to make it clear I am not writing these entries. Someone is trying to make me look like
an idiot. I know that is not difficult to do but it really isn’t fair since that is about all I’ve got. I only support MV7 because he is somewhat intellectually challenged like myself and I somehow feel I succeed when he does. Actually, truth is, right now my leg hurts and I am not sure why. I know Matt Ryan is an excellent QB, just if I admitted it nobody would play with me. So please, do not write like you are me, don’t be me, and don’t be like Mike either.
HA HA HA……..Now that’s Funny
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
12:04 pm
Ricky
December 21st, 2009
11:59 am
Choke, what is wrong with you. Do you not realize how stupid it makes you look to compare Ryan and Stucco?
********************************************************************************************
That is the most idiotic blog entry I have ever seen. Seriously, EVER.
The Baltimore Ravens 2009 NFL strength of schedule was ranked 28th.
The Atlanta Falcons 2009 NFL strength of schedule was ranked 4th.
You went to a lot of trouble there fella to make a Non-Point. All but 4 AFC teams are essentially playing .500 ball. Whoop te do, big deal stats. If the Falcons were in the AFC they would be in the playoffs too.
“BOO HOO HOO”
Would’ve……Could’ve……Should’ve………
This is not horse shoes and hand grinades………. HA HA HA
Etowah Eddie
December 21st, 2009
12:07 pm
Falcons hung in there and played hard all day. Good to see.
That’s something to celebrate.
Jeff, how was your trip home.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
12:11 pm
Atlanta Falcons you have won your 7th game of the season and miss the playoffs, what are you going to do?
We are going to Disney Land
Tami
December 21st, 2009
12:25 pm
@Matt “Choke” Ryan: Yes…I knew they were eliminated with Dallas’ win. Sorry if I didn’t make myself clear enough. I was emphasizing more about the Saints losing, which I was happy about even though it did eliminate the Falcons. Even if the Saints won, the Falcons’ playoff chances were still slim — alive, but slim. And, if they made it in, they might not have lasted past the first round. I am hoping that 2009 was the last of the “rebuilding” seasons they needed to build a contender. I guess we’ll see, though, won’t we?
WHAT THE F SCHULTZ
December 21st, 2009
12:35 pm
After watching that game all you can come up with is Ryan’s rusty performance and how he led the Falcs to victory in the end?? How about the defense stuffing one of the best RB’s in the league ALL DAY LONG??? Seriously dude, Ryan this and Ryan that. How many games has the Defense won us this year? The answer is 1 and it happened yesterday. Again I ask you Schultz, WHAT THE F?!
The DEFENSE won that game yesterday dude, what the hell were YOU watching?
Ricky
December 21st, 2009
12:35 pm
Hey Throw up………..whoops, er Choke on it. You don’t have the intelligence to debate my response to your ignorant Stucco/Ryan QB comparison. Boo Hoo Hoo? What are you, Sporty Black’s 8 year old son?
By the way “Horseshoes” is one word and grinades is spelled a little bit differently than you have it…………try again.
Ricky
December 21st, 2009
12:40 pm
Good bye “Throw up”, your existence certainly puts you at the high end of the slug and snail class, Gastropoda. Congratulations.
midnite
December 21st, 2009
12:46 pm
Choke has been banned from DOL’s blog. Doing the old name switch(impersonating) which he is infamous for finally caught up with him. There is a Santa Claus!LMAO
Gamer
December 21st, 2009
1:10 pm
WITH NO PLAYOFFS HOPE IN SIGHT!!!!
Is it me? Or is it Coach Smith? Shouldn’t the Falcons sit Turner the Burner until his ankle fully heal!!!
COME ON COACH SMITH LET TURNER HEAL!!! SAVE YOUR PREMIER RUNNING BACK FOR NEXT SEASON!!!!
Ima Cheapshot Leonhard
December 21st, 2009
1:36 pm
Attn: All Jets opponents-go after thei cheapshot scumbag!!!
Was Turner’s ankle targeted by the Jets?
By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7:23 p.m. Sunday, December 20, 2009
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Falcons running back Michael Turner was knocked out the game again Sunday, after taking another shot to his the same injured right ankle. Later, he was not sure the event was a coincidence.
On the Falcons’ first play of the game, Turner charged up the middle for seven yards before New York Jets safety Jimmy Leonhard hit Turner low, plowing into the ankle that is still recovering from a five-week-old high sprain.
Turner was originally injured when Carolina’s Chris Gamble drilled him in the second quarter of a game on Nov. 15.
“Michael did not get out of his first carry,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
Turner expects opposing teams to target his ankle, but stopped short of calling Leonhard’s hit intentional.
“I’m not in their minds so I’m not going to say what they are trying to do,” Turner said. “That’s what it looks like, but I’ve got to expect it. I was just hoping that my ankle was strong enough to take it.”
Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards last season, has 871 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns with two games to play. The Falcons were hoping to lean on him against the Jets because the swirling winds at Giants Stadium made passing difficult.
Egg Noggin'
December 21st, 2009
2:18 pm
Jesus why all the Falcon haters? The defense was awesome. Remember the offense did score a touchdown on the Jets defense. That is something that had not happened for a while. With the cold and the injuries, any other Falcons team would have lost that game. This is a much tougher schedule this year, all these teams coming off of bye weeks, let’s face it, this was a tough schedule. We won a game, I know we aren’t going to the playoffs but I was born here and have always cheered for the Falcons and last time I checked, winning a game was something to be happy about. Call me old fashioned but I cheered when they scored the go ahead touchdown with just over a minute left against the leagues best defense in their place. Doesn’t matter who threw it, doesn’t matter who caught it. They were both Falcons. If you don;t like the Falcons, why are you on this blog?
Matt "Choke" Ryan is Truth Serum
December 21st, 2009
3:25 pm
Brent Grimes is small, but he plays hard and he helped the Falcons save the game.
I can’t stand Matt Ryan but he came through and won the game for the Falcons. It pains me to say that but I have to finally give his noodle arm some credit.
I apologize to all the people who are sick of my retarded azz posting all the time but hey, Jerry’s Kids have to have hobbies too, you know.
MV7 has gone right back to where he belongs- getting the ball only twice a game. They told me this would happen to my hero but I was in denial. Hey Philly is just being smart about this. Throw the dogcatcher a bone by letting him score against his old team, then put him back in the kennel.
Atl Resident
December 21st, 2009
4:29 pm
What the hell does Vick have to do with this? I’m tired of hearing all of B.S. these lame PETA folks talking about Vick like he was the only damn one. Do us all a damn favor, leave the man alone, he’s back, get over it, and go do your damn job and catch some dogfighters. Falcons might just finish 9-7 but that’s just not good enough with the potential. Blank needs to recruit some coaches cause this coaching squad is a disaster.
Run Stuffer
December 21st, 2009
4:34 pm
……….I miss big ole Grady Jackson.
daylight
December 21st, 2009
6:08 pm
DHunt..WELL SAID
daylight
December 21st, 2009
6:23 pm
Well I see the Falcons franchise is going to sacrifice Michael Turner’s long term career in hopes to satisfy the supersitious idiots that think the franchise is under the curse of the Wicked Witch of the NFL.
Tanya
December 21st, 2009
7:13 pm
Regarding the Falcons: WHO CARES!
Not me.
alan trammell
December 21st, 2009
7:46 pm
Can we have our money back. This guy is a overpaid system quarterback. Maybe a nice backup but starter?
Will
December 21st, 2009
7:49 pm
Teams our starting to figure little mattie out. There is nothing special about this guy.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 21st, 2009
10:56 pm
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
“NEUTER THE POODLE WITH THE ARM MADE OF NOODLE”
TR
December 21st, 2009
10:59 pm
Ryan shows rust? He’s been rusty all season long. This kid has some growing to do before all of you anoint him the next Brady or Manning.
Lil Larry
December 21st, 2009
11:01 pm
Someone please tell Ryan that we have more offensive players other than Gonzo or Roddy.
Falcon Obit
December 22nd, 2009
5:37 am
Gamer
December 21st, 2009
1:10 pm
WITH NO PLAYOFFS HOPE IN SIGHT!!!!
Is it me? Or is it Coach Smith? Shouldn’t the Falcons sit Turner the Burner until his ankle fully heal!!!
COME ON COACH SMITH LET TURNER HEAL!!! SAVE YOUR PREMIER RUNNING BACK FOR NEXT SEASON!!!!
Turner is being sacrificed. His ankle may never fully heal with these asanine actions.
MV#777
December 22nd, 2009
4:46 pm
SORRY!!!!!!!!!!
YOUR JUST PLAYING TO BE PLAYING..LOL…
MAYBE IN 10YRS THIS TEAM WILL BE READY FOR THE PLAYOFFFFSSSSSSSSS…LOL
P.S. AND I KNOW! YOU MISS MR.MICHAEL VICK!!!!!!!!!HAVE FUN IN THE PLAYOFFS MICHAEL VICK!! I HOPE THE EAGLES MAKE IT TO THE BIG GAME..:)
JewellNelson
December 22nd, 2009
5:37 pm
Its really a shame that the Falcons acted so RACIST towards Vick after Vick paid his debt to society. The only organization that would open their hearts and checkbooks to Vick were Jeff Laurie (owner of Eagles) and Andy Reid. The Falcons could have used Vick when Ryan went down for the count. Vick would have stabilized things and probably gotten us into the playoffs like hes done for Philly. Thanks to Arthur Blank, Vick will soon be getting fitted for a superbowl championship ring AS SOON AS THE EAGLES FLY AND SOAR HIGH TO A SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONSHIP VICK-tory.
MV#777
December 22nd, 2009
5:56 pm
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Punk in# 2
December 22nd, 2009
6:47 pm
Ryan is a second teir QB that just the fact. look at his numbers. ints 12 passer rating 79. He is a punk under pressure melts when heat is applied. hope ? to some . punk to most!!! Gm bust look at this yers draft picks need I say more!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 22nd, 2009
8:55 pm
The CHOKE is a punk and can’t blow his nose without Turner.
2004 & Counting LOSERS
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
“NEUTER THE POODLE WITH THE ARM MADE OF NOODLE”
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 23rd, 2009
10:55 am
Mike Vick Named: 2009 EAGLES COURAGE AWARD WINNER
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Biggs-Vick-receives-courage-award-from-Eagles.html
Not bad for a backup quarterback…… HA HA
And the CHOKE was named………….
2009 FALCONS “CHOKE” of the year
JewellNelson
December 23rd, 2009
11:58 am
If Vick restores his image (as he is doing in Philly with his recent “Man of the Year Award”), Vick may make it to the Hall of Fame someday. Thats right, I said it, Michael Vick inducted into the Hall of Fame. Vick owns a record right now that no one in league history has ever done: RUSHED FOR OVER 1000 YARDS AS A STARTING QB. That record may never be broken. The reason for this senseless vick talk about him making the hall is for three reasons. 1) his 1000 yard rushing record is already in Canton, OH. So Vick will always be remembered for doing that, although he will be remembered many times more for his dogfighting incarceration and the wrecking of the many lives that he messed up and the countless thousands that he took down in the process.Ok. That being said, 2) Vick may be getting a superbowl ring this year to polish, put in his trophy case and put on his his wafer thin resume; 3)Hall of Fame Inductions for Single Accomplishments: Although Vicks body of work is really shabby and thin, there have been exceptions in other sports for athletes making it to the hall of fame for single accomplishments and not necessarily an entire career body of work performance. Vick may be the exception if he gets a champtionship ring this year; gets back some of his endorsement deals (particularly NIKE), and continues to pile up citizen of the year awards in Philly. By and large, Vick may end of making the hall of fame someday soon. Down with Choke, Up with #7.
ONLY VICK
December 23rd, 2009
1:07 pm
vick’s last year he had 1039 yards rushing and 20 TD passing 2 rushing . all Facts! No other QB has done that in the history of the Game none in one season!!
CinderellaStevenson
December 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Jewell: I sure hope you are right about Vick that he makes the HoF. Vick has certainly done his share to enter the most famous halls of fame. Vick has clicked with Philly and will likely at least get a superbowl ring at the end of this season, should the Eagles win it all. I believe when Vick gained his 1039 yards in his last season, he also won the rushing title as well as a quarterback, a feat that will NEVER BE EQUALLED AGAIN.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 23rd, 2009
4:15 pm
When you have sportswriters like Bradley & Leedbetter celebrating the possibility of a non playoff season, just as they break a meaningless back to back winning season, it is no wonder this City is so pathetic.
Who cares if you win 9 games, when you are out of the playoffs with 3 games to play?
The mentality in this town is one of insecurity and low self-esteem. Baltimore on the other hand are headed to their 2nd straight post season, further showing the Falcons drafted a JOKE and a CHOKE.
CindaFella
December 23rd, 2009
7:10 pm
Like a previous blogger pointed out earlier in the day, irrespective of that infamous 43-year old back2back curse failure; the FALCONS in their history HAVE FIELDED TWO SUPERBOWL WINNING CAPABLE TEAMS. They just didnt finish the drill and get the job done. The two teams were (Steve Bartkowsk’s, William Andrews, Lynn Cains’s, Junior Miller’s and Leehman Bennetts 1980 team) AND Dan Reeves, Jamaal Anderson’s, Crystal Chandellier’s and the dirty birds 1998 lone falcon superbowl team, that was done in by Eugene Robinson). Those two teams in my opinion were the leagues best team those two seasons. They proved it on the field up until their last playoff game where they failed. Truth be told though, those two teams were footballs best in the NFL those two seasons. THE IRONY OR THE SAD PART IS THAT THE FALCONS COULDNT PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT THEY WERE IN FACT THE BEST. In 1998, ask the Minnesota Vikings if the Falcons blew it and they will tell you emphatically that they did. The vikings players will tell you that once the Falcons beat them, there was nobody better left standing and the Falcons regular season record of 14-2 was the best record standing after the 15-1 minnesota vikings record was disposed of or beaten by the Falcons. In their glorious history, the Falcons SHOULD have been champions of the world twice. They just didnt get the job done.