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
CEEDEZ
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Turner fat tail is slowing down…………..again!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Gonzo becomes the 2nd out.
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
NICE!!! Matty Ice rocks!
playmeortrademe
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
sounds of silence
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Inning over.
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
Keep clicking on offense. The Saints D isn’t that good. We should score every time from here on out
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
So do I jeff.
Except for the interceptions, we have struggled stopping the Saints offense
SCFALCON
September 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
End zone shot now
playmeortrademe
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
No play Snelling instead of Turner and we’ll have something
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Scooter there might be some truth behind your comment.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Great pull by Dahl.
Dawgs73
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Turner doesn’t hit the hole fast enough.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
run it again.. finish em’ off..
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
im sorry…but Turner should have blow that run up and got to the endzone…
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Run them down to the end zone!! Go Falcons!!!
CEEDEZ
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Put Snelling back in game…please!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Snelling would have made that first down,, just sayin
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
that hurt
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Go for it! No huddle
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
id kick..
mmgtfan
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
Turner’s specialty. Running into a wall
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
Dumb not to get point here.
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
If you look at the Falcons this year, you know they can’t run on 4th and short.
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
whew
falcon52
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
hell yes
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
impressed.. taking it to em’
CEEDEZ
September 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
HELL YEAH!!!!!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
great game
Far_East
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Statistically you should go on 4th down!! and it works!!!
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Bootleg pass on 1st down .
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Saints defenders have their hands on their hips after this drive…now we need to get a TD out of it.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
I like the playcalling and decisions on this drive. Falcons know FGs are not going to win this game. They have to be aggressive and attack. If they score TD here, it will be well earned.
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
So freaking predictable in play calling on short yardage!!!!
If me watching on TV know what they are going to do.
I GUARANTEE the Saints defense does too!
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Snelling will find the endzone..call his number Mularkey
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Ramguy – You can’t judge their 4th and short running abilities on half their games (Pittsburgh).
MWC
September 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Falcons showing some sack here!
CEEDEZ
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
Those 4 and converts are GONNA git in aints head…………YOU CANT STOP US!!!!
playmeortrademe
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
Why is something that is so obvious to the fans (Snelling) not seen by the coaching staff? Snelling is the better back today. play him!!
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
i dont know,, Ryans over rated,, bwahahaha
Stizz
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
Smitty showing he can get 1st downs in spite of MM’s playcalling
Mick
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
Turner is one of the worst backs i have ever seen. it’s either a loss or a 1-2 yard gain 9 times out of 10. then it’s just 5-6 yards. give the ball to snelling. why can’t these idiots see this.
and his slow self always goes sideways, gets caught behind for a loss. run forward you idiot.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:09 pm
i take the air out of the ball here though.. short comebacks, and flat routes will be sat on..
45ACP
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Jeff, did you see the divorced Fuller Brush guy on the side of the road?
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Give it to Turner..
West Savannah Falcon Fan
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Pure Ballz
bgfalcon
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
go big or go home fellas
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Willy I meant 3rd and short….
falcon52
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
gotta call snellings number here or gonzos
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
Wow! I am really impressed today. This is the attitude of a winning team. Dish it out and keep the Aint’s off the field.