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
3:02 pm
Willie Martinez — Sweet!
Falcons v. Jets
December 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
looking more likely that this game will end with a final score of 10-3
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
“Mark Sanchez is terrible. Where is his poise?”
- Joe Cox
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
This game is just painful. Thank God for NFL Redzone.
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
alas, its only for a tour of the plane..
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
At the “Buffet” we pride ourselves on delivering hot meals except for crow which as we all know is a dish best served…
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
Woo-hoo— page 5! Three quarters through the game… that tells you how boring this game is. Or is it that most bloggers are tapping the egg nog?
Bull Malarkey
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
The NFL should just stop this game, give BOTH teams a loss, and send them home for hot cocoa and more practice. And tell the Falcons offense if they suck this bad again they’ll have to stay late & clean up the stadium next time.
80sFalcon
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
Are there any Free Agent DB’s worth pursuing in the offseason
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:03 pm
you not flying back on the falcons charter?
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
Give the defense credit today, of course, Sanchez looks terrible. Offense has given them NO help. Can Ryan start to make some plays? Maybe he can even call an audible every once in a while and not what this OC keeps sending out there.
bigdave
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
M. E. Shanahan please
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
They’ve been holding all day. Refs decide to call it when it doesn’t matter at all. Defense keeping us in yet another game. They need some help (but who doesn’t) but at least the defense has come to play in nearly every game this year. If not for all the big plays, this would be a decent (not good but decent) defensive unit
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
COLD – Chef – cold!!
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
JEFF=== IS LANDING IN WIT. KANSAS AN OPTION……WHO WILL PLAY JOHN CANDY AND GET YOU HOME???????????????
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:05 pm
jeff. might not want to take the falcons charter back home. after all, this season has been a crash and burn.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:05 pm
First time he’s caught a ball in stride all year. and it’s a pass behind the line of scrimmage.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:05 pm
Bull Malarkey – that last one was HOT!
80sFalcon
December 20th, 2009
3:05 pm
Is it me or does Sanchez look like Stifler from American Pie?
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:05 pm
Can we finally say the Turner is done for the year?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 20th, 2009
3:06 pm
I only do Crown Royal: Official Sponsor of the “Sports Buffet”, Mondays 9p ET, blogtalkradio.com 1-347-324-5735
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:06 pm
Better patience by Snelling. Good run.
GSU Eagle 91
December 20th, 2009
3:06 pm
No one on this team seems to make plays that can turn a game around…We can’t run the ball, and the receivers keep dropping the ball in obvious tough conditions.
They need to dig deep and win this game, 10-7…
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:06 pm
This game is giving me a concussion. Thank you, NFL.
RIP Brittany Murphy.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Snelling’s making his moves now. Jets D getting tired? Oops! Tackled for a loss..
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Enter your comments here
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Does Ryan not even try to read the defense any more?
DirtyBird
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Come on offense!!
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
jeff, can you hear that idiot stockton from where you are? if not, consider yourself blessed.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
DANG JEFF= WHAT DID YOU DO TO PISS OFF DAWG IN MONTICELLO?
CRUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
It’s like they know what play we are running before we even snap the ball. We are being out coached yet again.
Daddy Rabbit
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
2:00 to go in the 3rd. The offense is looking predictible. Need to throw the ball down the field on 1st down.
dawgfan13
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
I am noot osure who is calling these dum plays but its mind boggling! What was that.
buick59
December 20th, 2009
3:07 pm
Jeff by all means Do NOT take the Falcons charter. You know it will go the WRONG way. Mularky is absolutely HORRIBLE!!!
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
They’ve been holding all day. Refs decide to call it when it doesn’t matter at all. Defense keeping us in yet another game. They need some help (but who doesn’t) but at least the defense has come to play in nearly every game this year. If not for all the big plays, this would be a decent (not good but decent) defensive unit
*********
They may not be the most talented bunch, but you can see they give it their all every game. Right now, the offense looks like they just wanna get on the plane and come back to Atlanta.
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
But only if you mean it
jerry
December 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
Norwood no moves, no power, just speed. Snelling no moves, no speed, just power.
Mableton Bob
December 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
Maybe both teams are playing for better draft position. Jets don’t won’t the playoffs where they’ll get embarrassed.
80sFalcon
December 20th, 2009
3:08 pm
We’re not tough. Turner got the big payday and now he’s Mr. Glass.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
Good grief.
Barkin'Dog
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
Huys… while we type in our cozy homes, these guys are playing in ‘freezing’ weather. I have to cut them some slack on the play. Except for Matt’s last throw. Crap!
willie martinez
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
ryan has decided that reading poetry is more satisfying than reading defenses.
DHunt
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
Another open receiver, another bad pass.
81Dawg
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
White is wide open and Ryan misses him by 5 yards.
The Real Falcon
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
M. Ryan 7 19 36.8 64 0 0
jerry
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
Redman can win this game. He won’t get a chance.
Kane337
December 20th, 2009
3:09 pm
How much better would our defense be with Rex Ryan instead of Mike Smith?
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
3:10 pm
I think Norwood is in his last contract in Atlanta.
Too often injured.
Too skiddish hitting the line.
Great talent.
Just unfullfilled.
JB
December 20th, 2009
3:10 pm
Is Joey Harrington available? He’s probably been sipping wine and practicing the piano.
Ryan
December 20th, 2009
3:10 pm
I’m just a little rusty.