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.
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1,145 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
Barkin’ Dog — You’re right… After everything,this is still a 1-play game.
Samanta Baker
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
I suck
jerry
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
Prediction: Revis picks Ryan.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
Brady Quin 8-15 48 yards 2 ints. QB rating 20.3 versus KC.
Lord have Mercy. And they are leading by 4 points.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
I am happy with one thing.
We may lose, but our guys are playing hard.
I’m proud of that.
buick59
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
this team is NOT well coached. When an offensive lineman is downfield on a normal pass play something is wrong.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
Barkin Dawg — Wind definitely at Ryan’s back right now.
Samantha Baker
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
excuse me,
Not only am I hurt everyday, but I suck. I couldn’t spell my name last time.
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
snelling gets slower and slower as the game goes on
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
Snelling just doesn’t have the burst that Turner has.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
a blogger must have to be pretty vulgar to get tossed from this group.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
Thanks Jeff — welcome back (and thanks for taking out the trash).
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
Jimmy: A wheel barrow of playing hard will get you nothing.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
yep, one play away from disaster
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
That’s as hard as I’ve seen Norwood run on a play in a while.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:22 pm
Jets took a nap on that one.
Daddy Rabbit
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Norwood sighting
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Who is Jerious Norwood again?
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
That’s a pretty big play — at least it was pretty.
Jerious Norwood
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Hey Samantha,
That is how you play hurt..
You are weak
Big Mike
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Is that the first dump off to a running back all day?
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
wow, did i just see norwood break a tackle?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Norwood obviously forgot to fall down apon first contact.
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Norwood needs more recieving plays to exploit his speed.
Daddy Rabbit
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
back to normal
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
That’s how you give him the ball in a place to make a play. And the announcers give all the credit Ryan.when that was the play call the whole time.
Win,lose, or tie bravos til i die
December 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
ohh yah norwood, why dont we just use norwood in the slot to spread the field?
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
Can they knock it in?
Paul Johnson Head Knocker
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Want to hit me someone so i can draw up my face.
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
4 down territory…
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
d culpepper 6 of 12 64 yards 1 pick qb rating 31.3 tied with az.
it appears that all the qbs are having a terrible day.
jerry
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
4 down territory
Submariner683
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
I think Turner should lock it down for the season. I didn’t see anything on the end of that one carry that a healthy ankle shouldn’t be able to survive. I guess we can thank Chris Gamble of Carolina who loves to hit low when players are already well on their way down. He ruined Culpper’s career, Turner may be on the same road.
I’m happy with the effort with from the defense today. I’ll admit they are being helped out by a not so sharp rookie in Sanchez. This team still has no pass rush. I think next year there will be no salary cap, due to the clause in the last labor agreement. Maybe the Falcons can go buy a defensive line. All four need to go. Lofton at LB is very solid, I like what I see from Decoud at the safety position, Grimes is doing better. The rest of the defense could use an upgrade.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Why is he throwing that pass away. There was no pressure
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Chef:
Hard play is better than what we’ve had for many, many years.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Okay, folks. I’m going back up to the big TV to finish out the game… and pull us through. I’ll return for post game. Wasn’t that interference in the end zone?
Scampers McHannerhan
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
He Elam’d it.
buick59
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Jenkins….. USELESS, Baker……USELESS some more great draft picks by this pathetic franchise.
Big Mike
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
we suck!
jack bull
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
turn out the lights, party is over…
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
I don’t care that he missed it. They had to try something…that offense is nonexistent.
80sFalcon
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Nothing fall for us this season
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:25 pm
Yall know the wind carried that ball for Ryan. otherwise it never gets close to the end zone.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:26 pm
No good. Is Elam back?
Daddy Rabbit
December 20th, 2009
3:26 pm
Maybe would have went for it on 4th, if we had gained any yardds on the other 3 plays.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
3:26 pm
JEFF ============= WHY CANT WE FIND A DANG KICKER?
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
3:27 pm
Ryan looking like garbage. Offensive line not looking much better (no protection or running lanes). Receivers apparently didn’t make the trip.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
3:27 pm
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
d culpepper 6 of 12 64 yards 1 pick qb rating 31.3 tied with az.
it appears that all the qbs are having a terrible day.
************
Vince Young having a pretty good day so far.
Chris Houston
December 20th, 2009
3:27 pm
IF I was in the Game, I would intercept the ball and run it back for a TD. Actually, I would watch the Reciever drop the ball and then jump up and down and pretend like I had something to do with it…..
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
3:27 pm
Not making excuses for Bryant. But I have a problem with that third down play call, not trying to get closer with a shorter pass play.