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
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
Yes, it is point exactly that many people do not have health insurance because they do not manage their money correctly. How is that racist?
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
6:59 pm
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
6:55 pm
Fair and Balanced: I don’t doubt that at all. They can’t seem to make a case for Ryan without mentioning Vick.
********
That is the way it is for the Atlanta sports media in general as well. From print media to radio sports talk.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:00 pm
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
6:58 pm
Yes, it is point exactly that many people do not have health insurance because they do not manage their money correctly. How is that racist?
Wow….you’re REALLY ignorant!
SC Dave
December 20th, 2009
7:00 pm
Mike Vick ran for 2 yards today. He was stopped on a 3rd and 1 play, and had to leave the game with a “bruised thigh.”
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:00 pm
Ron Roberts
December 20th, 2009
6:56 pm
Hey Choke, Michael Vick threw 38 INTs in three ENNNN EFFF ELLL seasons, when he had Duckett, Dunn, Roddy White, Brian Finneran, and Michael Jenkins. ConVICKt also fumbled the ball 16, 11 and 9 times in those years, so the turnovers grow INFINITELY more than Matt Ryan’s stats EVER will. Ever.
“He only has 52″ in his career” and the CHOKE already has 23 in less than 2 full seasons.
Good point – I didn’t realize until you mentioned it. Thanks Buddy
Ron Roberts
December 20th, 2009
7:01 pm
Actually, there’s no NEED ot make a case for Ryan, welikebaseball2.
He has a 12-1 home record and 6-9 on the road isn’t atrocious, either.
In the immortal words of Coach Sherman… you play to win the GAME! When Ryan plays, he usually wins.
Case made.
Oh, and of course we HAD to draft a QB in 2008 because our LAST starting QB left us with no choice because of his off-field behavior.
Anybody who “blames” the Falcons for not “turning their back” on MV7 while he was in prison should – I don’t know – maybe consider that he’d turned his back on them with his off-field behavior to begin with.
You go commit a felony, go to prison a year, and tell me then, if your job will be waiting on you.
What an insipid (that means “stupid” GED-qualifiers) comment to make.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:03 pm
If you have $199 and your CHOICES are:
Buy a $199 Vick (or Ryan) Jersey, or
Pay a $199 insurance premium.
And you chose to buy a Vick (or Ryan) Jersey, you have no right to complain about not having health insurance.
For your information, I do pay for my health insurance, I also have a paid for car, and I cannot afford to purchase $199 Vick jerseys. So, tell me, why should I have to even pay more to supply insurance to those to chose to spend their money differently?
So, exactly how is that racist?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:03 pm
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
6:57 pm
Now watch and see…if Michael Turner is out next week, Matt Ryan won’t play past the first 5 minutes. His toe will be acting up and he’ll come off the field..go to the lockerrooms and then return to be on the sideline
“Come on now” are you saying he FAKED being injured because he is such a PUNK and LOSER and knew that he would be BOOED in Vick’s home coming
Ron Roberts
December 20th, 2009
7:04 pm
Okay, CHOKE, but don’t forget corn-row’s FIFTY FIVE fumbles, to Ryan’s paltry 9. Oh, and the great #7 had 15 in his first two years; hell he had as many as Ryan has (now) in his second full SEASON!
L-O-L on that one.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:04 pm
As a matter of fact, those who do not know how to manage money are ingnorant.
mike28212
December 20th, 2009
7:05 pm
I try to avoid these discussions. However Fair and Balanced, if you would look at the first page of this blog you will see the initial namedropping of Mike Vick was by none other than Matt “Choke” Ryan. I don’t think he/she is a Falcon fan. Seems to be an Eagles or Ravens fan depending on how those teams’ games are going.
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
7:05 pm
Mr. Charlie: You’re right, that doesn’t prove you’re racist. It just proves that you’re classist, ignorant, & probably closer to experiencing hard times than you think you are.
Ron Roberts: Never said Vick was my “hero.” Actually, my dad is my hero. Try again. LOL!
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:06 pm
Choke…lets get real here, you know good and darn well that if Michael Turner hadn’t started today, neither would have #2….and when Turner went down, it would have been entirely TOO obvious so they had to suck it up and got lucky with the win. Now do you really think they’ll risk Ryan without Turner IN THE DOME?? HECK NO. Mark my words, Ryan will play the first 2 drives and then be “hurt” if Michael Turner is not playing.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:10 pm
I have experienced hard times, who says I did not?
However, there is thing called free choice. Obviously suggesting that people have free will, choice and are responsible for the decisions they make “classless and ignorant”….As a matter of fact, it is the dicipline and values you call “classless and ignorant” that have gotten me out of hard times.
What is wrong with taking responsibility for ones self?
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:11 pm
I expect an apology.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:11 pm
mike28212
December 20th, 2009
7:05 pm
I try to avoid these discussions. However Fair and Balanced, if you would look at the first page of this blog you will see the initial namedropping of Mike Vick was by none other than Matt “Choke” Ryan. I don’t think he/she is a Falcon fan. Seems to be an Eagles or Ravens fan depending on how those teams’ games are going.
“What time would that comment be”?
Pardon me if I call you a liar
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:12 pm
Well Mr Charlie, all those people at the free healthcare clinics in Arkansas and Texas look like those “real amurrikans” at the tea bagging parties! I guess if YOU say they’re ignorant, then they are.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:12 pm
Fair and Balanced…you theory is great, but Ryan did play, and they DID win, and they very well might still have a winning season. I know, you, VS, Welike, and Choke are hoping that does not happen.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:13 pm
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:11 pm
I expect an apology.
**********
I expected the Falcons to go to the playoffs this season. I guess we’ll both be disappointed.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:14 pm
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:06 pm
Choke…lets get real here, you know good and darn well that if Michael Turner hadn’t started today, neither would have #2….and when Turner went down, it would have been entirely TOO obvious so they had to suck it up and got lucky with the win. Now do you really think they’ll risk Ryan without Turner IN THE DOME?? HECK NO. Mark my words, Ryan will play the first 2 drives and then be “hurt” if Michael Turner is not playing.
“I agree totally” and in fact, before Turner got injured, he was averaging over 135 yards a game in a 3 game span and the CHOKE was still stinking up the place.
mike28212
December 20th, 2009
7:14 pm
Choke, if you would kindly click on page one of this blog and scroll down to your 12:38 pm post. It is the first one on this blog that contains the name Mike Vick. If you’d like to apologize for calling me a liar, feel free to do so now.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:15 pm
Fair and Balanced? WTF are you talking about? All I said, it if you don’t have health insurance, you should not buy $199 Vick or Ryan, or any stupid football jerseys, or cell phones, or anything after housing, clothing and food.
Or, if you chose to do so, don’t effin complain when you get sick.
Unlike you, I do not call anyone names.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:16 pm
Fair and Balance, you are weak, you cannot put up an argumnent to support your position, you call label people and call them names, and you refuse to admit you are beat. Who is ignorant?
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:17 pm
So Mr. Charlie you’re just throwing out some hyperbole with no basis whatsoever and admitting to doing so?……….ummmmm…..ok
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:18 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 20th, 2009
12:38 pm
TRIVIA QUESTION:
Which of the following Franchise quarterbacks are out of playoffs?
- Joe Flacco
- Mike Vick
- The CHOKE
I think it’s humorous that the CHOKE would decide to play with nothing on the line. When his teammates needed him, he didn’t have the guts or toughness to lead the team down the stretch, and instead let the backup take the heat for his poor 2-4 play over his last 6 games prior to the Tampa game.
He might as well keep his SORRY butt on the sideline cheerleading, something he is more suited for.
“Well if you want an apology” for making an observation – then here is your apology buddy
Falcon66
December 20th, 2009
7:18 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 20th, 2009
5:02 pm
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
4:55 pm
Real American, I was watching the Eagles in the playoffs after the Falcons were eliminated between 2001 and 2006, so why is this any different? As a matter of fact, the 2 of 6 seasons the Falcons did stumble into the playoffs, the Eagle eliminated them. So, the Eagles are good, nothing new.
“Sophomore comparisons”:
- Which quarterback will have a better record?
- Which quarterback made the pro bowl?
- Which quarterback made the playoffs?
- Which quarterback won their playoff game?
- Which quarterback finished 2nd in MVP voting?
HA HA HA
Whick qb tried to blow security officials at the airport rather than give up his fake water bottle with pot residue in it?
Which qb’s “posse” stole a man’s rolex watch at the airport forcing the Falcons to have to get it and give it back?
Which qb is a convicted felon for abusing and killing defenselss animals?
Which qb has flipped off Falcon fans with both hands?
Let’s see which one wins a super bowl first.
Choke, you should be real proud of your qb. Of course that;s good because your both classless.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:19 pm
Mr Charlie that irrational leap of logic argument makes no sense. Actually, it made no sense when you injected “healthcare” into this blog in the first place, but we all assume you’re a senile old man anyway and we’ve been taught to be nice to our elders.
JackLackey
December 20th, 2009
7:19 pm
Vick’s game regressed markedly before he was gone.
What’s to make one think he’d suddenly be great now, considering he sucked before he ever left here.
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
7:20 pm
Mr. Charlie: Here’s a clue. There are people that work hard every day, don’t buy “$199 jerseys,” & still can’t afford health insurance. Some of these people are men (or women) with college degrees, lost their jobs along with it’s insurance due to cutbacks, & can’t find work that pays enough to cover a monthly premium for their family. Are you saying they haven’t “managed” their money? Are you saying they lack “discipline”? You obviously don’t know what hard times really are. Either that or, like many, you’ve forgotten where you’ve come from & now choose to look down on those in the same position.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:20 pm
I am tying to have a rational discussion. So, it is your position that the government should supply health insurance? If so, how about food? Housing? Heat? AC? Should the government supply my every need, regardless of what I do, the choices I make?
Where is the line? And if everything is “free”, why should I get an education and work?
I am just curious to how you think, because all you can do is call me name.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
welike….notice how Mr Charlie had to throw in “healthcare” all of a sudden…..LOL…its so predictable.
Falcon66
December 20th, 2009
7:26 pm
On my 7:18 post I meant to say “blow off” security officials. sorry.
mike28212
December 20th, 2009
7:26 pm
Thanks Choke. Apology accepted If you read my 7:05 post, I was simply refuting Fair and Balanced’s assertion that “it is ALWAYS (emphasis theirs) a so-called falcons fan that brings up Vick’s name first…” I did so by pointing out that on this very blog you brought up his name initially. You responded by accusing me of lying. Thank you for realizing you were there.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
7:28 pm
Folks — Game column on Matt Ryan is posted. http://bit.ly/7rBKVb
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
7:31 pm
Mr. Charlie: No, I’m not saying the government should supply everything. I’m saying that if I’m a taxpaying citizen & I run into a rough stretch of life, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to get a little of my tax dollars back in the form of health insurance. As for those that legitimately need food stamps, I see nothing wrong with that. Notice, I said legitimately. Getting an education & working is obviously important, but that doesn’t make you immune to hard times. It better equips you to survive them, but doesn’t make you immune. Taxpaying citizens should be entitled to a little help from the same government that’s had it’s hand in their pockets when they need it…and I’m not just talking about in the form of Medicare when they’re sixty-something.
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
7:35 pm
My apologies to everyone bothered by the sideshow political discussion I’ve carried on. It was a response to an ignorant association between folks that buy “$199 jerseys” & people without health insurance. I realize this is a board for football discussion. Again, I apologize for not respecting the intent of the blog. I’m off to enjoy my family now.
Mr. Charlie: I’ll keep an eye out for your response but I won’t reply. We’re not changing the world by debating on a Falcons board about people who can’t afford health insurance. If you’ve got yours in life, I challenge you to help somebody else.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
7:36 pm
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
welike….notice how Mr Charlie had to throw in “healthcare” all of a sudden…..LOL…its so predictable.
“David Dukes FAV 5 Baby”
The Ryan and Vick Comparisons Are Silly
December 20th, 2009
7:43 pm
People Stop It!! Why are so many people obsessed with the Vick vs Ryan?
I just don’t get this newspaper.
‘m a Wisconsin transplant living in Duluth and graduate of BC. I have followed Ryan for years. Yes, I’m a Matt Ryan fan. I truly admire and respect Ryan. . He’s very down-to-earth and smart. Ryan gets it! He understands that in order for him to be the next Manning/Favre/Brees he has to continue to develop his game; consequently, that was Vicks’ downfall in Atlana.
With that being said- This argument was over 3 weeks ago when Vick came to the Dome and shredded the Falcons in their own back yard ,while Ryan was on the sideline nursing his toe injury. (BTW- Its been widely speculated by fans across the league if Ryan punk’d out or not ) Its a wrap!!!…this conversation should be dead.
My point- stop with the Ryan “greatest QB ever in Atlanta” and “Ryan is better than Vick” crap. No one is buying it. You’re only being laughed at by those who know the History of the NFL and know a little something about the Falcons and guy a name Steve. Bartkowski. And while Ryan has been scorned by many on this board, he might still end up gettin the last laugh after all.
Ryan will have a chance to shut his critics up next year, there’s no guarantee for Vick. But for now, Ryan has a lot prove in 2010 or he won’t stand a chance in Atlanta.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
7:58 pm
Welike,
No offense intended, have a good night with your family, happy holidays, and peace.
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
8:16 pm
Mr. Charlie: Truce accepted
. Peace & happy holidays to you too.
welikebaseball2
December 20th, 2009
8:19 pm
Wow, didn’t know my smiley face would come out like that. I promise I’m not “Choke” (no offense Choke). Coincidence in the smilies!
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 21st, 2009
7:15 am
Enter your comments here
BuckCommander
December 21st, 2009
7:26 am
Last, Hopefully!!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired!!!
December 21st, 2009
8:48 am
ANY QB that is in a playoff race is there because of the team’s play. NO…and I repeat NO QB would be in the playoffs if he wasn’t playing on a winning team. With some of these earlier comments you’d have thought that the QB was out there alone playing against 11 other players. So…to say that Vick or any other QB is in the playoffs is disregarding and ignoring the fact that football is and always will be a TEAM SPORT.
NEWSFLASH:…THE TEAM IS IN THE PLAYOFFS and if the team wins….then the TEAM WINS A PLAYOFF GAME not the QB. Is that concept so difficult to comprehend????
Vick Supporter
December 24th, 2009
7:48 am
i still waitin fer da call too cum back home