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
1:45 pm
DHunt — Yeah, no excuses this quarter for underthrows or dying quails.
Saint Clarkston
December 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
Looks like the great Mike Smith (the Paul Johnson of the NFL) has
allowed this team to roll over and die, with nothing to play for.
Oh yeah, 30-24!!!!!!
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
As long as the Jets don’t keep throwing deep we’ll be fine.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
Mike is trainin Dachsuns ,you no little wheenir dogs now and wants you to no
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
Wait a second. The TV announcers just said the wind was blowing left to right, which means we had the wind in the 1st QTR. What gives Schultzie?
JB
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
Since we’re not going to the playoffs, should we be cheering more for a win or for a better pick in the draft?
NikkiFree
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
Falcons vs. THE CURSE today.
Boots
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
As I watched Owens chasing after the receiver as he was running for a touchdown — for a moment, I thought I was watching MeAngelo.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
Oops! nearly intercepted – twice. I’m not worried though.
Sonny Clusters
December 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
This is embarrassing. Mr Blank may be in disguise. Jeff, look over there and see if they’s a guy with a big nose on and some bushy eyebrows in a Brooks Brother suit.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
The problem? Slow late passes. I hate to get negative so early, but Ryan is not showing any kind of NFL quality arm.
TMoney
December 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
Nobody open on that last pass, forced the ball. The WR have to get at least a little open.
JB
December 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
As usual, Jenkins is left one on one and can’t get open.
Why did we sign him to another long term deal again?
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
First time I’ve seen Roddy on a crossing route and he’s running virtually on the line of scrimmage on a third and 7? Who is calling these plays????
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
JEFF , HOW MUCH PRACTICE DID RYAN HAVE FOR THIS GAME ?
WOULD REDMAN DO ANY BETTER ?
MATT LOOKS BEWILDERED ………………
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
DHunt — Don’t know what announcers said. But those orange red thingies dangling from the top of the goal posts definitely were blowing into Falcons’ face in 1st quarter, and now wind is at that backs.
O'Brien
December 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
I wish we could get the kind of play the Jets get from their secondary. I like Rhodes and Reevis (sp?)
Our coach and GM needs to address our defense once again this offseason. The bad thing is, if they draft defense, then we will be really young again next year
TMoney
December 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
JEFF , HOW MUCH PRACTICE DID RYAN HAVE FOR THIS GAME ?
WOULD REDMAN DO ANY BETTER ?
MATT LOOKS BEWILDERED ………………
________________________________
I saw one report that he took 25% of the snaps.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
Falcons 3 straight 3-and-outs.. Pass protection was fine that last drive but nobody open.
buick59
December 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
Ticket increase, they have ripping off their fan base for about………..43 years. And Blank wants a new stadium! truly laughable.
La Jolla Dawg
December 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
Did the Falcons get delayed by the weather as well? Is that why they are playing like they aren’t completely there?
Sonny Clusters
December 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
He may have a Blank look on his face.
Pooper Scooper
December 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
Mike Smith looks like CPJ on the sidelines,fat and ready to slap somebody; Is Me Angelo in the house?
buick59
December 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
funny the only way they can get a sack is when the QB falls down.
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
3rd and long and the defense fails again…
yoda
December 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
Ryan only has eyes for Tony G
mmgtfan
December 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
terrible
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
Antoine Harris out for the game with a knee injury.
O'Brien
December 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
18 yard gain for 1st down. Come on Falcons.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
NFL arm strength displayed on that last Sanchez pass. Throwing into the wind I might add.
Sonny Clusters
December 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
They are firing Blanks today.
Looking at that lineup is like getting a Blank bingo card.
Tha guy playing for Dahl can’t seem to fill in the Blank.
This line purposely left
They may be some more, but I am drawing a Blank.
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
teams that cannot score from 1st & goal from the 2 in the NFL are just pathetic to watch. Putrid. Peria Jerry sits out injured most of the season, D. Reevis making plays all over the field. I am disgusted, as usual at this time of year. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Manny
December 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
This game doesn’t look good for the Falcons. I am switching back and forth to watch the game (NFL Sunday Ticket is a nice-to-have) and I am noticing that the offense just isn’t clicking. I guess Turner’s hurt again, too. Why are they starting???
buick59
December 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
any of you who thought this bunch would show up and play for 4 quarters must be smokin something. When you and the franchise you play for have no pride you usually lose.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
THANKS, TMONEY….. I GUESS JEFF WENT TO GET A BURRITO.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
We never ever ever get pressure on third down. Teams are converting at what seems like a 90% clip against us. That is just bad defensive play calling
JB
December 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
“This game doesn’t look good for the Falcons.”
Welcome to the last 43 years of Falcon football, Manny.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Who feals like I do
Ticket increase
December 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Buick59,
I have to agree with you, I thought this regime would be better that Smith’s..But actually,
We went to a Superbowl with Reeves and the Smith’s. All Arthur has done is fire the one Coach to ever bring the Falcons to the Superbowl and then raise our ticket price every year since..
Sonny Clusters
December 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
That field goal will keep ‘em from being Blanked today.
We was noticing the cornerbacks can’t seem to make a play.
VP
December 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
Why do we play 10 yards off the line of scrimmage when they only need 7 for a first down? Just because we don’t throw passes to the first down marker doesn’t mean they won’t!
Clusters on the outside
December 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
buick59, when we was little Clusters, our mama said if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. We was thinking she was talking about folks such as you.
Pooper Scooper
December 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Iagree with Vick Supporter , we were better when Michael was here.
Sonny Clusters
December 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Selling hammers probably looks good right about now.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:01 pm
Boogies — Mmm, good burrito …. So far, Ryan doesn’t look good. But as to practice question, Redman got 75-80 percent of snaps this week, although Ryan practiced Thursday and Friday. .. But like I said, if Ryan’s healthy, he needs to play.
TMoney
December 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
Good hold on the goalline to force the FG attempt.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
Sleep-deprived Ledbetter just spilled his coffee.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
OK…..the defense, as under-talented as it is, at least tries..the offense has totally mailed it in today.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
Brent Grimes makes a play! (thanks to bobbled snap)
VP
December 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
Ahhh, the little boy tackled the holder!