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?
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,596 comments Add your comment
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
TD!!!!!!!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
Nice, the sounds of silence
Mr T
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
Great pass and catch. Now cover on the kickoff
eddie willers
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
There you go…..new game.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
GREAT THROW!
Stizz
September 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
Matty Ice!!!!
ReddJonn68
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Matty showed some guts that drive !!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Dan Mullen I thought you were working at getting a new job. Maybe if the dawgs don’t call you the Falcons will. LOL.
Tucker T
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Matty Ice showing some fire! I like it!
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Touchdown is huge there on third down because I don’t think field goals are going to get it done today…. Saints might want to consider covering Gonzalez. He had three catches on that drive (including TD). He had 2 catches all of last week. Saints are taking away Roddy White for now.
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
NOW THAT’S THE MATT RYAN I EXPECT TO SEE EVERY PLAY OF EVERY GAME! OUTSTANDING TOUCHDOWN
Tom Pridemore was tuff
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Ryan is really pumped…that’s a good thing…
Most important question
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Where’s October?
ReddJonn68
September 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
Hello Special Teams !!!
Ree Roe
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Great drive Birds! Love the passion I saw outta Matt on the sidelines, great to see
-REEpeal Roe!!!
JP
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
I have been critical of Matt staring down the receivers, however today he has gone thru a couple of checkdowns prior to throwing to Gonzalez…great job by our QB…and he also has showed some emotion on the sideline after the touchdown….Matt Average played like the first year Matty Ice on that drive…..
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Nice response
Us Snelling owners
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
just added him as a handcuff back, just in case.
He’s riding the bench if you have a clue.
willy
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Falcons 2010, probably an accurate statement. He does seem to be a little challenged sometimes in the heat of the moment (replays and 4th down calls and all). But I think he’ll get better there, too
Short people got...no reason...
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Now let’s see how our munchkin secondary does.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Now my Jack and Ice is tasting better. Who knew just a score would get my appetite back?
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
What is going on with the special teams?
Mr T
September 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
Hello are you listening????
Tucker T
September 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
Special Teams ain’t so special so far today.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
special teams bringing the “A” game today.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
Special Teams Kickoff Coverage looks like they are SPECIAL ED for sure.
UGABugKiller
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
Wow… this is a disconcerting happening.
The Falcons Coverage Units all of a sudden stink. They haven’t been good since game 1.
When did this happen?
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
Now that’s a great drive!!!
Adrian's Perspective...
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
MR2. TD. Yes. Just like a Toyota, my boy’s efficient and reliable. No recalls on this one.
Mr C
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
Special team. Hello!!! The Saints nearly took it home again on special team!!!
Ree Roe
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
What’s up with the special teams today?
-REEvolutionary Roe!!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
Special teams needs a good azz chewing by Mike Smith
eddie willers
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
“Special” in the PC way.
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
Are you freaking kidding me with the kick coverage?
Someone better get that tighten up and real quick!
Pit Bull Revenge
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
When did you ever see Vick show emotion on the sideline like Ryan just did after the touchdown? Never. He would just go sit alone on the bench because he thought he was better than the other players.
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
kick it out of bounds!!!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
somebody is gonna loose their job
Falcons2010
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Willy. Hope so.
I think u r right.
He’s a good guy anyway.
Like his passion.
America
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Latest Pizza Hut commercial / sign of apocalypse:
“People love PIZZA. They don’t love MATH.” (gobbles pizza)
Sigh.
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
MK is kicking the ball to hard. The guys catching the ball well before we even have any guys around him. he needs to kick it higher.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Braves, Nationals knotted at 0 before the start of the game.
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Special teams coach about to get in sombody’s behind. This is getting ridiculous. Can’t afford to keep giving this Saints team a boost b4 their offense even gets on the field. Let’s go Falcons. Rise Up in all phases of the game!
JP
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
I have been critical of Matt R. staring down the receivers, however on the last drive he actually went through a couple of check downs prior to throwing to Gonzalez…..Matt Average looked like the first year Matty Ice on that drive……
willy
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Mr T
September 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Hell yeah baby
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
Grimes is too small to play in the NFL.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
Trickeration but Brees never should have thrown that ball. Facons had coverage deep. Good pick by Grimes.
Jamie
September 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
awesome!!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
takeaway,, thats what they call it
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
HUGE PICK right there. Too Easy