We’re live (and alive) from Falcons-Jets game
Don't you wish you could tailgate in New Jersey? Yeesh.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J — Before we get to today’s Falcons’ game, I have two important travel updates:
1.) Our beat guy, Darryl Ledbetter, rolled into Manhattan at 2:53 a.m. I know this because he sent me a very excited text message, which of course I ignored until about 8:30. For those who missed our travel experiences, and if you want to know how D-Led blew it by not following my lead, click here.
2.) We STILL almost didn’t make it the game. Our taxi from the hotel did I nice little swerve and side slide on the New Jersey Turnpike after the doofus driving the Lexus in front of us lost control because he was driving too fast, spun out and kissed the wall. Our driver apologized for startling us. Apologize? For what? He just gave me a blog lead. Of course, now Ledbetter is screaming at me for not taking a picture of the Lexus.
Anyway, I can now say I’ve experienced 
everything. Having a cab driver from Brooklyn apologize was the last thing on my Bucket List.
Inside the stadium, things are fine. Well, not great for the Falcons. As I’m sure you know, they officially were eliminated from playoff contention last night when Dallas upset New Orleans. Of course, I know most us knew they realistically were out of it following last week’s lost to the Saints.
The scene, the stadium and my press box neighbors, radio teammates Dave Archer and Wes Durham. Wes wanted me to point out that their windows were open.
But it doesn’t make today’s game against the New York Jets uninteresting. I realize athletes are human. But an NFL season is only 16 games. To me, there’s no excuse for letting up. I plan on making this central to the column later. But the Falcons have a lot of questions to answer — about Matt Ryan, about the offense, about the team in general. They need to get the most out of these “meaningless” games as possible.
About Ryan and Michael Turner: If you missed the earlier flashes on Twitter — follow @AJCFalcons and @JeffSchultzAJC!!!– both will start. How a quarterback with turf toe and a running back with a high ankle sprain hold up in this weather remains to be seen. But it will be good to see the offense somewhat intact again.
By the way, the weather is good right now. Cold, but clear skies. The snow on the field has been cleared to the side. So that shouldn’t be a factor. Let’s just say things are a little more under control here now than they are at LaGuardia. Or on the Turnpike.
I’ll check back in a little while.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,145 comments Add your comment
Mableton Bob
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
Let me help u Jeff with the lead sentence for tomorrow.
In a game that set back pro football 50 years,…
No that’s already been used a lot from so many pro games they ought to have refunded the ticket price on.
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
They get paid pretty well to play in bad weather. Most of us would trade the cozy room for the cold paycheck.
NO EXCUSES!
buick59
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
hard to believe that with so many people looking for jobs these Bozos actually get paid for this garbage. One reason I like golf, tennis is you are actually paid based on your performance. These losers should reimburse any one who watches this.
dawgfan13
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
Matt Ryan looks horrible but the future of this team will be what will they do on defense. Abraham looks like he is on his last leg and the secondary SUCKS! Ryan better learn how to check off on his first receiver and go to someone else. I think the coaches are doing ok, but the play calling is really fustrating to watch.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
Oops! Sorry, Jeff… I forgot you aren’t typing in your cozy home – tee-hee!
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
Barkin, both teams are playing outside. Hell there are little league teams still playing outside. When I was a kid we always played outside. Why should they get a pass because they are playing outside.
Scampers McHannerhan
December 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
It’s absolutely amazing that the Falcons are only down four points at this stage of the game given how the Jets have thoroughly outplayed them for most of the game.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
time to call odell thurman. he will be right at home with the current bunch.
Falcons v. Jets
December 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
If Smith doesn’t say in post game comments that this is the most embarrassing game he’s ever seen, he’s lost it and in denial
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
jeff, its time to find the plane
staying has nothing to gain
go fight the snow
the road’s so-so
sometimes your job’s a pain
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:13 pm
I WANT to give the Falcons D credit…but is it just that the Jets are so bad on O?
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:13 pm
If the offense can make one drive, they can win the game.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
3:13 pm
I want you to know that Mike holds no hard fellons against the Falcons
DirtyBird
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
Nice job defense. We need some offense. The defense playing good today.
Daddy Rabbit
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
Maybe we can get some momentum this drive
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
where’s thomas brown,,, need to be calling him first thing monday morning…
O'Brien
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
All I want fot Xmas is back to back winning seasons…
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
When was the last time you saw a Falcons WR dive for the ball…? I don’t remember either.
Win,lose, or tie bravos til i die
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
when we put chris redman in the game then we will have a chance, other then that Mr. noodle arm is really living up to that $72 million contract
Mableton Bob
December 20th, 2009
3:14 pm
They ought to fine both offenses and give the cheerleaders a bonus for showing their legs in this weather.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
I hope we don’t run any more toss sweeps.
Those slow developing plays get people killed.
Obviously, we are going to need some luck to win this game.
Come on Lady Luck.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
writing is tough, yes jeff
but just think,
if you were on the field as the ref
the flags you’d throw
and get turf toe
and say this job stinks
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
Jimmy, At least Norwood keeps coming back on the field. He’s not being put in much of a position to make a play.
80sFalcon
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
Peterson’s having a good game
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
DHunt — our dome team is like a lot of other dome teams… freezing weather affects their play. No talking head gave the Falcs a chance today for that very reason. Does that excuse them – no. But, I can’t complain (you may, if you like). These guys are still in it and I still think they get it done… with a little luck.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
hard to believe that with so many people looking for jobs these Bozos actually get paid for this garbage. One reason I like golf, tennis is you are actually paid based on your performance. These losers should reimburse any one who watches this.
—-
not true in the case of anna kournikova.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
o’brien, there is NO santa claus
Dragin' Fly
December 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
I’m sure Vick knows all about “Hard fel(l)ons”.
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
is it me or does the O look like its playing in slow motion?
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
They are going to HAVE TO pass the ball to win.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:16 pm
Jeff, do we have any running plays for the FB?
DirtyBird
December 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
Ryan 7 out of 20 for 64 yards. That is bad.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
Did you see the whole Jets defense run to where that play was going, even before the snap? Predictable offense is a coaching problem. The only reason we got positive yards is because the line held up and gave Snelling a chance to run the other way.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
Haven’t heard from Jeff lately – guess he’s writing his exit article. So he can make a quick getaway!
Win,lose, or tie bravos til i die
December 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
i honestly dont understand why we cant move the ball, ask chris redman he we know
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
I’ve had to delete a few comments. And to Dawg in Monticello: You’re close to being banned.
jerry
December 20th, 2009
3:18 pm
Going against the wind in the 4th.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:18 pm
terrible terrible terrible
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
3:18 pm
Mike could take this 4th quarter if he had the chance .he now says he leave the Dachsun dog home if he can come back
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
3:18 pm
Odelle is the “Barfight King” of Montecello
Ed
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
Time to face it Falcon Fans… The Ghost of Falcon Seasons Past has walked up and bit us again. So much for the Process, maybe we should go back to the Plan!
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
OK . Ryan with wind at back this quarter. Again, NO excuse for underthrows.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
One big play, guys… that’s all it’s going to take to bring this home. Come on Falcons… just do it!
CoreyC
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
If the Falcons lose this one, and they certainly don’t look like they want to win it, this season will for sure be the most disappointing season in a long string of disappointing season because it is the first one where I think everyone expected them to finally end the long streak. When the Falcons were good in the past it always seemed like a fluke, and you knew it wasn’t going to last, but I think we are bought into the idea that things were finally different. Not saying coaching is to blame, there certainly had been a lot of crappy luck with injuries, but it could an especially bitter off season. But we still have a chance. Go Falcons. Wake up!
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
Crap.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
Oh jeez. Ineligible man down field. Great way to start a quarter. What’s Baker doing down there.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
jeff, do you think thats alcohol or frustration?
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
Roddy White sighting.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Michael Jenkins showed up at Madison Square Garden by mistake.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
3:19 pm
Why is Sam Baker down the field?
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
Okay, Jerry says against the wind. Jeff says it’s at their back – which is it?