LIVE from New Orleans, as Falcons go for the upset
If John Abraham is doing this to Drew Brees, the Falcons have a chance against New Orleans. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
NEW ORLEANS –Good morning. I’m looking forward to actually watching some football today since I really didn’t see any last night in Starkville.
The good news for the Falcons is that no matter what happens in today’s game against the New Orleans Saints — and I do believe they have a legitimate chance to win — they will be fine this season. That’s not the case at Georgia, which not only lost last night at Mississippi State but had yet another player — freshman linebacker Demetre Baker — arrested this morning for underage possession of alcohol and DUI. That makes 10 arrests for the Bulldogs since the spring to pair with a 0-3 record in the SEC.
By comparison, the Falcons are Camelot.
There obviously were some good signs in last week’s 41-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons ran the ball effectively, with Jason Snelling having a breakout game (three touchdowns) after Michael Turner left with a groin strain. Quarterback Matt Ryan also was sharp.
But the Saints are at another level. Ryan will face a stronger pass rush and play in a tougher environment in the Superdome than last week.
The biggest step up today must come from the defense. In the first two games, the Falcons faced a third-string quarterback in Pittsburgh (Dennis Dixon) and a last-resort starter against Arizona (Derek Anderson). Today, the opposing quarterback is the MVP of the Super Bowl, Drew Brees.
The New Orleans offense has not been as explosive as a year ago. The Saints have won their first two games by scores of 14-9 and 25-22. But Brees has completed 74.3 percent of his passes (55 of 74) for 491 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s imperative the Falcons get pressure on him, and that starts with John Abraham.
The lone starters out for the Falcons are wide receiver Michael Jenkins and safety Erik Coleman.
That’s it for now. I’ll check back shortly. How do you feel about the Falcons’ chances today?
♦
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2,596 comments Add your comment
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:22 pm
ATL JIM, I think he was the assistant DA in Law and Order. Why he’s playing linebacker for us is beyond me
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
2:22 pm
Dan Mullen, give it up dude, move to Philly. LOL
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
2:23 pm
Dan Mullen,
He has a longer rap sheet too.
Matt Ryan is the leagues better at QB than Michael Vick. Vick is a thug and is not a leader.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:23 pm
Ankiel with the second out and an assist, great throw home, Nats settle for one, lead 2-0.
Turd Furgeson
September 26th, 2010
2:24 pm
Jeff,
Will you ask VanGorder if he will return to Athens?
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:24 pm
GTMustang : That descriptive word is a four-letter word on this blog.
bgfalcon
September 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
we need to draft a new speedy back next year when you have 2 power backs there is almost no change of pace between them. turner was good when norwood was healthy and that was only like half a year. turner and snelling could only get by adding a new speedy back to make an even better 3 headed monster than what dallas has
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
Beachy, first big league hit.
The Real Falcon
September 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
This is about the Falcons and not the Eagles.
we will get to compare when we play them.
So no Vick haters or comparisons until then.
GO FALCONS!
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
Spoon missed a pick by half an inch, and then came back and made a great hustle play to take the receiver down in bounds so the clock could run out. The Falcons will not be denied today. Other than two big plays, and two breakdowns on defense, N.O has not moved the ball at all. And their defense hasn’t stopped us yet, we shot ourselves in the foot on a couple of drives. who dat? WE DAT!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:26 pm
GTMustang Vick also has Wins over the Saints on his sheet also, don’t forget a trip to the NFC Championship game, Vick will beat the falcons in a couple of weeks.
Tucker T
September 26th, 2010
2:26 pm
I like coach Smith’s strategy. Kicking field goals and punting to give the ball back to the Saints offense is not going to win this game. Gotta hold on to the ball as much as possible and grind out first downs. Keep this game as low scoring as possible. If you don’t make it on fourth down, at least they tried and gave their offense a chance to stay on the field to score.
Chelsea
September 26th, 2010
2:26 pm
willy, that’s Sam Waterston. Pretty sure Sam Weatherspoon doesn’t exist
GregKennesaw
September 26th, 2010
2:27 pm
Offense is playing good,
special teams not so much.
Bress is exposing our young secondary
14-14 new game
Introductions
September 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
Gee, Dan Mullen sure does bring up some great points about…Michael Vick?
Thanks, Dan.
Have you met Willy?
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
OK, whatever the final score is, I’m convinced the Falcons will have a good year. That last drive showed great character and conviction to winning. Hats off to the Falcons!
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
Congrats Brett Favre, you played your stupid play/retire roulette game one year to long!
GregKennesaw
September 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
How about TG’s play, Hall of fame baby!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
Furyk and Goosen tied at -7, playing together , 3rd hole.
GregKennesaw
September 26th, 2010
2:29 pm
What happened to our great punt coverage from last year?
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:29 pm
braves fail to score, Nats 2, Bravos nada.
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:29 pm
Ramguy don’t forget who gets the ball after halftime
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:29 pm
Where is HiramSaint? Are you out there Hiram?
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:30 pm
Where is Hiram Saint?
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:30 pm
I’m aware Chelsea
Hamlet
September 26th, 2010
2:30 pm
The Falcons will go as far as the running game takes them.
To Turner, or not to Turner…that is the question.
GregKennesaw
September 26th, 2010
2:31 pm
more pressure on Brees please
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:32 pm
22 minute time of possession!
Falconc Fan
September 26th, 2010
2:32 pm
Saints are piling on, holding, grabing face masks, horse collaring and the ref’s are in their pockets. Screw you new orleans and the ref’s too! Ya’ll don’t look very professional!
falcon52
September 26th, 2010
2:32 pm
well were doing good but we need to go out there and take it to them RISE UP
bgfalcon
September 26th, 2010
2:33 pm
haha i was drunk when i said it but i’mm right!!! the chiefs are gonna be good!!!!
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:33 pm
If Atlanta can control the clock just a little bit in the 2nd half; NO’s D will be totally gassed!
falcon52
September 26th, 2010
2:34 pm
agree with you there falconc fan these refs r in the saints pockets but we can overcome them RISE UP
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:34 pm
That defense won’t hold the whole game
bgfalcon
September 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
RISE UP!!!
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
Some halftime numbers: Ryan 12-18 132, 1 TD 0 ints…Brees 10-12, 168, 2 TDs, 2 ints (so his only incompletes are interceptions)
Turner 16 for 36 … Saints have rushed for only 18 yds
Gonzalez 5 catches for 79 yds and a TD
Falcons 4 for 7 on third down and 2 for 2 on fourth down.
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
i see Senior Cy Young (livan hernandez) is spinning his magic against the Braves today…
2-0 Nats B3
Sorry, back to football.
NoShamSam
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
Two 4th down plays…wow!…is this Coach Smith or Paul Johnson?…keep running and wear them down in the 2nd half…and let’s see more of Snelling.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
Easy inning for Beachy.
The Real Falcon
September 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
That’s right BGFALCON!
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
SPOOOOOOOOOOON
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
Keep running Saints
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:38 pm
3rd and long
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:39 pm
We have to get to breez at least once on this drive.
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
Does anyone else think Samuel Jackson looks more like Micheal Jackson these days? I don’t know if they put some odd makeup on him for that Birds commercial or what but he looks creepy.
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
I really despise Jeremy Shockey…what a self congratulating meathead.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
Shockey is just an A..hole. He just never seems like a person you want to be around.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
There you go. Abe gets to Brees.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
BIG JOHN!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
Wow