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
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
Problem with Vick, he couldn’t lead a drive down the field. He could dance around like a fool in the backfield and make a long play, but lead a drive complete with passes and stuff…not so much.
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
I agree with Fair and Balanced…less talented and overmatched defense who at least try.
I don’t know about the offense. Get open Jenkins!
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:04 pm
Thanks for keeping us in this game Jets
williebkind
December 20th, 2009
2:04 pm
Jeff, Mularkey is an idiot. He reminds me of the generals who would charge placed machine guns with 10’s of thousands of soldiers just to watch them die but hoping one will make it. He runs up the middle with a play designed for Turner who is not playing. He needs to invent his tank or join Willie Martinez. So far Mularkey is and IDIOT. I have not hope for the falcons with play calling like I am seeing.
DirtyBird
December 20th, 2009
2:05 pm
excellent stop
jacket3
December 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
Did the Falcons practice this week?
mmgtfan
December 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
I sick
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
The offense looks absolutely pathetic.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
Does Ryan ever look at anybody but Gonzalez? As good as he is, I think it was a mistake to sign him. Ryan does not look sharp at all today.
Falconfan
December 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
Any chance you could actually write about football today? I don’t come to this site to read about your cab ride.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
Falcons now 2/8 on third down and four straight poss. without a first down.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
ryan is horrible…
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
Wow…that was truly a quick 3 and out.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
off season lrt the QBs battle it out..im not sold on ryan yet
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Where everybody at? Are we better today than we was 4 year ago?
Ihardley think so
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Three straight passes, two of them should have been caught. The offense looks so out of sync, like nobody knows what’s supposed to happen on any given play.
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Took all season, but the stink that is the Falcons has finally infected Tony Gonzales.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Brent Grimes, player of the week!
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
This isn’t good for Ryan…he’s not ready to be out there and his confidence is about to go the way of the 8-track. Turner has injured his ankle even further….this coaching staff gets the side-eye for a lot of decisions lately.
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Nice play shorty!!!
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
yay INT falcons wont do nothing about it
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:10 pm
Brent Grimes is the only ball hawk on the whole team.
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:10 pm
Brent Grime is the new face of the franchise! The only Falcon that can catch.
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:10 pm
For Penance, the offense should run the Wildcat for rest of the day and 3 Hail Mary’s. The Jets don’t want to play today either.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
Falcons have nothing on offense.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
i guess you should try a trick play
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
With Matt Ryan out, I almost forgot how much he stinks.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
That trick play needs to get the ball in the hands of a big play guy, not your bruising 3ed string running back.
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
OMG first down!
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:11 pm
Breaks the streak — finally a third-down conversion and a first down.
buick59
December 20th, 2009
2:12 pm
ticket increase, you have to wonder if Blank really cares. As long as people are willing to pay to see this mess then why not continue raising prices and arrogant enough to want a new stadium for this crap!! The Smith’s just continued to make bad decisions: firing Leeman Bennett during the only real stable time for the franchise. I believe Rankin really loved his team but made the same mistakes over and over again. Blank must be a control freal. What else explains not bringing a BIG name experienced head coach with a winning record.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:12 pm
no run game what so ever
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Trick play — White was open for a second but Ryan was late throwing.
Chris Houston
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Wow nice interception Grimes.. will you teach me how to do that once I feel better, I have a boo boo..
WTF???
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
NEWS FLASH………. Atlanta just got a first down !!!!!!!! But this just in….. Alanta still sux, Matt Ryan is a one hit wonder !!!!!!!!
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Wow that was pass interference
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
why cant we have a player like revis
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
HA HA HA
CHOKE had to wind up to throw 25 yards to Roddy
What a NOODLE ARM
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Jeff, have the Falcons considered re-signing Thomas Brown from UGA? Snelling is not an every down back and Norwood cannot stay healthy.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
naw that was good coverage
mmgtfan
December 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
That was the worst fleaflicker ive ever seen
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
Should have been interference. But that was yet another terrible pass. The man can’t throw the ball 30 yards downfield, and every defensive coordinator in the league knows it.
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
redman>ryan
Matt Ryan
December 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
I am little rusty latley… I am ready for this season to end. Start fresh for next year.. maybe get me some help.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
Offense and Ryan: dreadful… 7 drives: 6 punts and a FG (following a turnover).
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
That play was there and Ryan made another poor throw another poor throw another poor throw.
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
To my knowledge the defender is not allowed to knock the receivers hands when he is attempting to catch the ball. That is what Revis did.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
WHY DO WE BOTHER WITH ALL THESE VICK IDIOTS ON HERE?
GLAD HE LEFT……………..
WTF???
December 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
Koenen’s agent needs to get the boy a raise. He’s been in harms way more than the other give up falcons. Even the real falcon birds have filed a lawsuit to get their good name removed from this disgraceful football team.
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
Who is this “Charles Davis” who keeps speaking to me about football on my television?
Did he win a contest or something?