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
buick59
December 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
so what if they missed the FG. Falcons are so inept it will not matter.
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
Is there a team out there willing to trade for Abraham? Maybe a 5th round pick if we are lucky. Put a fork in him….HE’S DONE!
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
Ryan looks like he doesn’t care out there it seems like. Not his “fiery” self I guess
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
Falcons somehow trail only 7-3. Why? Partly because of two Jets interceptions and two botched Jets field goals.
Falcons v. Jets
December 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
are the falcons aware that should they lose this game … there’s no chance of a winning season?
Greg Mendel
December 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
From time to time during the game, I run down to my workshop to see if the paint has dried on something I’m building. The drying paint is becoming more exciting than the game.
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
Dick Stockton needs to retire.
VP
December 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
Can we have Redman for the second half? Ryan has the protection, but his timing is definitely off.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
Its a good thing that Sanchez is a rookie that’s playing like a rookie that should have stayed in college..if the Jets had a decent QB back there, the score is 21-3 easily.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:22 pm
Ryan tried to throw a flea-flicker….reared back as hard as he could and threw a floater 20yds,lol
“Stop it man – you are killing me”
He reminds me of a cat fight
WTF???
December 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
So nice to see that former falcon Jay Feely STILL SUX !!!!!!!!! I’ve been told that the rock band KISS are falcons fans and they’re are in the locker room giving their 8 inch platform boots to the falcons corners so they can actually be as tall as the Jets’ receivers. Thanks KISS we might have a chance to win the game now by a score of 10 – 7
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
another dull, lackluster, uninspiredm mail in effort.
Mableton Bob
December 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
Game is still 7-3 because both teams sux
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
I think most fans realize it’s just one of those years and things happen, etc.
But the problem here is effort. I know the Jets have a good defense, but effort is missing and the Falcons offense looks uninspired.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
TO BRYAN EVANS============
WE CANT HANDLE THE LATE HITS PENALTIES,MAYBE TAKE YOU IN ROUND 2.
RUMOR HAS CWM GOING TO ga. tek
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
bull, i agree completely. the only thing worse than the falcon’s offense is dick stockton’s play by play.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
but why should either team care? the loot keeps coming in despite the losses and poor play.
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
“I’m more fun to watch.”
- Paint, drying
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
I am having flashbacks to 1996 am I am expecting to see Bobby Hebert start the second half. I am in a Falcon nightmare and I cannot wake up. There is NO way we can win this game. Matt Ryan just doesn’t have it and the defense will be exposed after they make their adjustments at the half.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
Can yo hear me now?????????????
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
the game is great for napping.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:33 pm
I waiting on your call,or tex me
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:33 pm
81Dawg…
Thomas Brown was picked up by Cleveland along side of the 2 other local products J. Lewis and James Davis…
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Wow! Our field goal team is better than the opponents today. Sorry for the negative posts, my mood started with the Saints deciding to sleepwalk into thier game last nite. Looks like Brooking and the Cowboys will make the playoffs. I feel like drinking antifreeze…another offseason to sit through after dissapointment. And no second round pick.
Bourbon will have to do.
WTF???
December 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Mister Michael Vick, We were wrong, you are right. We are dumb, you are smart. We are the worst, you are the best. We don’t really like dogs anyway. Could you….. would you….. please think about coming back to Atlanta? You suck too but at least you can halfway run the ball unlike Matt Ryan.
VP
December 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
The boys on FOX say, get the hurt ones out of the game so they can heal! The season is ova! The back-ups won’t be much worse!
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
M. Ryan 5 17 29.4 52 0 0
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
Thats right! Ryan is a poor runner.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
Does anyone have a clue where I’ve been blogging at?
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:36 pm
Although the Jets are now outplaying the Falcons, I still see an upset and two more wins to close this winning season. And I haven’t been drinking the Kool-aid – it’s frozen.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
2:36 pm
Enter your comments here
Submariner683
December 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
“Choke” is there anything in life that you are good at? Blogging isn’t one of them. I highly doubt that you are as effective at your job as Ryan is at his. You are more than likely one of the beneficiaries of the recent “job” bill so you can sit on your butt and blog for another six months while collecting a nice unemployment/welfare paycheck.
“Choke”, I’ve not once seen you list a suggestion on what the Falcons should do for QB or what they should have done. All I see is “Ryan sucks.” Is he the only player your are fixated on?
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
And to think I had John Parker Wilson on my fantasy team today.
Last time I listen to Matthew Berry!
Paul Johnson Head Knocker
December 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
I welcome CWM with open arms. I don’t know the first thing about defensive football.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
“Chef” Tim Dix…
i was wondering the same thing… what happened to that blog… or what/where was that blog???
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
Ron Mexico= The Johnny Appleseed of STD’s
jerry
December 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
The MOANKEY getting ready to ride, baby, ride!!!!!!!!! Ride ‘em MOANKEY!!!!!!!
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
Submariner683 – Choke is fixated on MV… that’s why he hates.
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:39 pm
Choke liked Flacco…until a few Ravens losses.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:39 pm
BigDave: I guess it was the twin son of a differnt mother.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:39 pm
Just for the record, my disdain for the play of Matt Ryan has nothing to do with a desire to bring back Vick. He won’t come back here anyway because he will be presented with a better option next year. Chance to start somewhere without the QB controversy fueled by the Redneck nation.
Ryan isn’t rusty. He just doesn’t have an NFL arm, period.
Paul Johnson Head Knocker
December 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
WTF? must be one of my type. I sure would like to meet you,yousexy thing.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
that explains it…
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
Just saw that great Falcons commercial about “feeding day.” Maybe they were talking about the rise in season ticket prices for 2010.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
Great tackling, idiots.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
Some halftime numbers. Yardage — Jets 195-98
Ryan -5-17, 52 yds … rating. 39.8
Sanchez 10-16, 156 yds, 2 sacks, 1 TD, 2 ints .. rtg. 76
Third-down efficiency: Falcons 3/10 .. Jets 3/7
J.J.M.
December 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
cant even make a simple tackle
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
Laura Okmin looks like Brett Michaels.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:42 pm
That’s it. NO excuse for not tackling that man. Only reason I’m still watching is the train wreck scenario. So bad you just can’t look away.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
Laura not greater than or equal to Erin’s landing strip.