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
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
1:50 pm
We are doomed. I hate Shockey.
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
1:50 pm
Good play by Moore. He got there exactly the same time as the ball. They were going to give the Saints that play no matter what. He crying for a call even though he made the catch. Ridiculous.
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
At least Ryan is having a good day.
Turner sucks.
Roddy White needs to catch a damn pass.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
beautiful..
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
Bad decision BreeeeeeeeeZ
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
Mularkey is working on some new 3rd and long plays for the second half….hang in there fellas!!!!!!!!!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
Brees nutted up.
Vinings
September 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
Nice toss. Gush fox.
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
INT!!!!!!!
mmgtfan
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
Missed the OBVIOUS holding call. But ill take it
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
Dan Mullen, now what were you saying?
falcon52
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAWGS NOT FORD TOUGH
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
ARE THEY?
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
I will be soooo glad when another team wins the super bowl so we don’t have to listen to the post Katrina guilt gushing over everything about this team. I’m sorry…not as likeable a team as it’s being shoved down our throats…Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, etc..
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
Well at least the defense is taking the ball away. I guess if we cant stop them, then just take the ball
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
Brees channeling the Snake there for a second.
Lost
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Wh..wh…where am I?
What just happened?
Is this a dream?
JP
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Great defensive play calling and execution….as in the Pittsburgh game the defense is giving us opportunities to win…No offensive excuses, let drive the ball down the field and tie the game….
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Jamaal Anderson is lucky he didn’t get call for a leg-whip on that play. Brees complained to ref. Not sure if they showed replay on TV … Nice interception by DeCoud but awful decision/throw again by Brees. That’s 2 for him today.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Beachy, 2nd SO, runner on 1st A. Dunn at the plate.
Drew Brees' bratty kid
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Whaaaaaaa!!!
willy
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Ya’ll have a good day, you gloomy bunch of losers. Just remember, if anybody ever calls Atlanta losersville, it’s probably more of a reflection of the fans than the teams. Way too many Atlanta fans suck.
ReddJonn68
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Lucky break Brees had a major brain fart just then !!!
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Brees is teasing us!!!!
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
FALCONS DEFENSE RISING UP TO THE OCCASION! 2 INTERCEPTIONS AGAINST BREES ALREADY. LET’S GO OFFENSE!
This defense is making some mistakes, but they are hard hitting and ball hawking and I Love It!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Ramguy look at the scoreboard that says it all
Willy's farewell party
September 26th, 2010
1:54 pm
Willy, we thought you “left” already.
We closed the bar.
You have to go now.
playmeortrademe
September 26th, 2010
1:54 pm
This why we don’t win, DeCoud didn’t do anything special, Brees just made a boneheaded play. He just needs to give the ball to the ref and go back over to the sidelines and get ready for the next series, instead of strutting around with the ball. Didn’t he get toasted earlier? I hate f’n hotdogs like that.
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:54 pm
Can we not get guys open deep?
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
Turner is slow and unexplosive
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
As slow as Turner looks lately…he still seems to run better going outside than up the middle…
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
Brees is eating that defense for lunch without bush
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
3rd and short…Mularkey will punt!!!
willy
September 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
I’m having a hard time not peaking back in whenever things look good, to looking to see how many “fans” have given up hope already.
Lance
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
Where is Snelling??? Turner is SO SLOW and tip toes straight up the middle and expects to gain yards?? We need some one with fire and a bursts!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
Beachy walks Dunn.
willy
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
Look at that!
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
WTG Matt!
treaddawg
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
wow matty
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
turner just watches as his qb gets crushed…nice dude
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
great push by Matt
treaddawg
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
give falcons receivers 7 seconds to get open, still can’t do it
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Matt Ryan just earned a whole lot of brownie point with me on that 1st down run. Way to not lay down, young man
Willy's farewell party
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Willy,
GO HOME!!
We don’t want you here anymore.
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
That was a bad imitation of vick by ryan
Mike
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
That play never works anymore. I still dont like MM. His play calling is terrible.
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Anyone seen the NFC offensive player of the week??
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
very impressive Matt
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
1:58 pm
Where is snelling? Guy gets 3 TDs last week, almost 200 all purpose yards, and we hardly see him
Vinings
September 26th, 2010
1:58 pm
Stud