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
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
cant believe im saying it but… i wouldnt mind seeing John P Wilson…
MR Charlie
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
If Ryan loses this game, and the next, and squeeks out a win against the Bucs, he..will…have….THE EXACT RECORD AS VICK DID IN HIS LAST YEAR HERE…..Why would anyone want Vick back?
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
They’ll go for it.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
DHunt – Ryan isn’t rusty. He just doesn’t have an NFL arm, period.
You will see the arm in the coming years. It’s not there yet. But it will get stronger. It’s the head behind the arm that counts. Trust me. Ryan will make fans proud… and so will the Falcons. You can’t take away from the mental they’re playing with. Add a few more ‘players’ and they will all do well. All I want now is a winning season. Let’s pull them through this thing!!
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
decent hit
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
What a lovely spot. Gave him at least 1.5 yards. Made it possible to go for it on 4th down.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:44 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing Woodrow Wilson.
SameProblemsEveryWeek
December 20th, 2009
2:44 pm
The OFFENSE HAS BEEN THE PROBLEMM ALL YEAR!!!!!!!!
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
Abraham got pushed back 3 yards. He is a joke this year. Stealing money.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
jeff, do you think being on the inept jets will destroy sanchez’ career?
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
I wish we could could just one good hit in on “Dirty” Sanchez! Just lay into him.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
hee…hee..
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
“Boy, you really have to admire the poise of Mark Sanchez.”
- Every sports writer during first four weeks of season
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
PJ Head Knocker and WTF?
I would like to go have a drink with you two, i bet we have a lot in common.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
I guess Ryan’s arm isn’t warmed up yet
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
Hey, a fight! At least it’s a sign of life.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Abraham whiffed on that tackle. 1st down.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Abraham, a wide open shot at the QB and he whiffs.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeahhh!!!
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
There should NOT be violence in a football game. Period.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Barkin, you are barkin up the wrong tree. He is as strong as he will get. It’s not like he came out early. he was a fifth year senior. I expect he may get better at reading defenses, but you don’t develop an NFL arm. You either have it or you don’t.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Jeff… agreed…
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
3rd and long…defense fails again.
Jennifer Garner
December 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
We love Vick
jacket3
December 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Testosterone is up…..too bad Harvey is ridin’ the pine.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Man, the Jets look like the Dawgs this year. Penalties, missed scoring opportunities… and TOs.
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Falcons should get 15 yards for allowing that play to happen…
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
If Gonzo was on the bench, would Ryan still lock on him?
Paul Johnson Head Knocker
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Where’d you go WTF? ???
Falcons v. Jets
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Abe is a shell of his former self and that’s sad
Jennifer Garner
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Man this game sucks….i want to see Ryan throw it deep…..
buick59
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
abraham looked like Wiley Coyote going off a cliff running past Sanchez. Laughed so hard fell off the sofa.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Abraham should be arrested because he is stealing money this year.
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Ron Mexico
December 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Falcons should get 15 yards for allowing that play to happen…
*************
THIS.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
SameProblemsEveryWeek…. 2:24….
i feel the same way… couldnt sustain anything…
Dawgs2009
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
Why is it that the Falcons always look small and weak?
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:49 pm
stockton is terrible, but the color commentator is an idiot
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
DHunt – agreed, Ryan is not the strongest thrower. But his arm will get better. He is a leader, and will get it done. Let’s talk in 2 years.
Jeff Schultz
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Outside of the TD pass and a couple of third down plays, the defense actually is playing pretty well.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
That’s grounding all day.
Vick Supporter
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Vick is on his way to the playoffs
Dragin' Fly
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Sanchez’s mouthguard makes him look like a beaver (and not the good kind).
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
pertty weak effort at a fight
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Intentional grounding. Sanchez is a bad as Ryan.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
You will see the arm in the coming years. It’s not there yet. But it will get stronger. It’s the head behind the arm that counts. Trust me.
—–
Do you have the lotto numbers for this week? better yet any good stock picks will suffice.
I want to get a quick start on my retirement.
MR Charlie
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
I was wondering who he was throwing at.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Weems counting state troopers
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
Take it easy on ol’ Abe… he did have a sack earlier when no one was looking. He’ll get another… cause you’re dissing him.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
dragin, you’re mind’s not on the game. the falcons game at least.
JB
December 20th, 2009
2:51 pm
If the Falcons can pull out a win, Babineaux and Weems are throwing a party.