Mike Smith should’ve given Matt Ryan, offense a chance
Matt Ryan lost for only the second time in 21 home starts.
This season has been about comebacks.
This season has been about the Falcons making plays at the end of games to win.
This season has been about Matt Ryan engineering winning drives against New Orleans, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay and Tampa Bay.
Whether that magic carries over into the playoffs remains to be seen. But it ran out Monday night. One reason: a bad decision by coach Mike Smith.
With the Saints leading the Falcons 17-14 at the Georgia Dome and less than three minutes remaining, Smith pulled Ryan and the offense off the field. The team faced a fourth-and-6 from the Falcons’ 43 and the head coach went the conservative route.
Smith’s mindset: A good punt could pin New Orleans deep in its zone, the defense looked strong most of the evening and the Falcons could get the ball back in good position.
But that same defense had just allowed Drew Brees and the Saints a go-ahead, 90-yard touchdown drive.
Strategy: Epic fail.
The Saints got the ball back with 2:44 left. They made two first downs and ran out the clock.
Smith has made a lot of good decisions over the past three seasons. This was a bad one.
How do you pull Ryan off the field? The quarterback has been nothing but clutch. He excels in the two-minute offense. He excels in no-huddle. Actually, a case could be made that Ryan often is better in pressure situations and in the fourth quarter than in other situations.
Also worth noting: The Falcons went into the game with the NFL’s best fourth-down percentage (84.6 percent, 11 for 13).
Granted, Ryan wasn’t necessarily at his best Monday night. He completed only 15 of 29 for 148 yards and a touchdown.
But do you know what he didn’t do? He didn’t melt down. Even his counterpart, Brees, did that early in the fourth quarter.
With the Saints leading 10-7, it was Brees who threw a foolish shovel pass as he was being sacked by Jonathan Babineaux in the fourth quarter. The pass was intercepted by Chauncey Davis and returned 26 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 lead Falcons lead. It was Brees who, on the ensuing New Orleans drive, was pressured and ultimately intercepted by John Abraham.
But in the end, it also was Brees who led the Saints to a 13-play, 90-yard touchdown drive, capped by a six-yard pass to Jimmy Graham.
The Falcons trailed 10-0. But that wasn’t all about Ryan. The Saints’ touchdown was set up by a bad snap by center Todd McClure — the ball never making it to Ryan’s hands. To open the second half, Ryan drove the offense down the field to the New Orleans’ one-yard-line, completing four of five attempts and throwing two passes that led to a pass interference penalty. But Michael Turner was stopped on first down and fumbled on second down.
Two turnovers — a 14-point swing.
Ryan’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White in the second quarter had closed the score to 10-7. Then came the Turner fumble drive in the third.
In September, Ryan led a comeback win at New Orleans. With the Falcons trailing 21-17 in the fourth quarter, Ryan took them on a nine-play, 85-yard touchdown drive, finishing with a 22-yard score to Roddy White to give Atlanta a 24-21 lead. The Saints rallied for a game-tying field goal, but the Falcons won the game with a field goal in overtime. It was a run-dominated, field goal drive but it was Ryan who set the tone with his calmness.
He wasn’t given that chance Monday night.
If the Falcons win next week over Carolina, their regular season goals will be achieved. They can clinch the NFC South Division, a first-round bye and the top seed in the conference. The memory of this loss will fade quickly.
The Falcons have proven themselves this season. They’re 12-3, still the best record in the NFC. But we know teams and quarterbacks are defined by the playoffs, not regular seasons. That’s not meant at a knock on Ryan. Fact is, everything about him — from his talent to his makeup and his leadership — suggests he will succeed in the playoffs. But consider it the unchecked box on his resume.
Thus far, Ryan has had only one chance. Two years ago as a rookie, he led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular season record but looked average in a playoff loss at Arizona, losing 30-24. Ryan threw two touchdown passes but was intercepted twice, sacked three times and fumbled once during an attempted handoff (leading to a 27-yard return for a touchdown by the Cardinals’ Antrel Rolle).
I remember thinking during and after the game that Ryan didn’t look the same and something must be wrong with him physically. I asked a couple of team officials about him, but the response I got was: Ryan was healthy. It’s just that the playoffs are a step up and the rookie quarterback wasn’t ready for that moment.
This season, Ryan has outdueled four of the league’s top quarterbacks: Brees (New Orleans), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati), Joe Flacco (Baltimore) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay). He has the best touchdown-interception ratio (26-9) of his career. He looks ready for the postseason.
It just would’ve been nice to see him get one more chance Monday.
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685 comments Add your comment
tony
December 28th, 2010
10:07 am
Ted.M, get out of the twilight zone sir.
AU exec.
December 28th, 2010
10:07 am
Hey it was a defense battle and we had 2 costly turnovers. This game is always a good one…I would have liked to see Ryan get a chance. But only our pride hurt..we win Sunday against Carolina and we still are #1 seed team in NFC, win the conference, and have 1st week bye and home field in playoffs…The only thing i hate was losing to the Aints…Their bunch of low life fans…are worst in NFL…I observed them picking fights with folks throwing stuff from stands..spitting..it’s like turning a bunch of animals out in the streets..I watched this big ole guy come out of stands(almost tripped on steps because his pants were at his knees) go out of his way to pick on this 70 year old looking man and curse and spit…because the old man had a sign he didn’t like….when a Falcon fan equal in size stepped up to his defense the coward tucked tail and went up stairs..at a safe distance started yelling back down..our glorious Ga Dome security did nothing..but they never do..they allow opposing fans to do what they will but never take care of the home crowd…but that is another story. Bottom line we lost to a good team that is a rival…maybe it was good to get the loss now instead of a few weeks down the road.
TCCB
December 28th, 2010
10:08 am
@ snake doctor : you are a sick person you need some help real bad:
MV is a sociopath! Anyone, and I mean anyone, who would choke an animal with his bare hands is not a role model but a serial killer wanna be. Of course MV ain’t gut the guts to try to kill a real person so he kills defenseless animals!
WOW what a statement!!!!!!!!
Lawyers should not be refs
December 28th, 2010
10:08 am
The Falcons got put into this position by some of the worst officiating in the NFL. Ed Hochuli, who needs to spend more time back in Southern Arizona at his law firm instead of calling NFL games, blew himself or was part of several awful anti-Falcon calls. The running into the kicker that was clearly a roughing the kicker in the first quarter, the double pass interference call, the numerous times Saints defenders hit Falcon receivers past the 5 yard zone all go to show how the wrong crew was sent by the NFL. It even took a public temper tantrum to get the call on spearing Ryan in the 4th quarter. Even listening to ESPN’s announcers made it all seem like the NFL had predetermined who was going to win the game.
Hochuli almost got canned 2 years ago but like a bad taco, he’s back.
All of you ‘Aint lovers need to go find your own board to take your second place rants to – this “aint” your home and we don’t want you (we never did).
whodat70816
December 28th, 2010
10:09 am
@BirdDawg24…
Lucky…LMAO…well, if that makes you feel better!
Saints had 8 penalties for 92 yards, while the Falcons had 1 for 10 yards.
If any body on that field was beatting themselves it was the Saints.
You didn’t see anything special out of the saints either?
Saints Defense held Ryan to 15 of 29 for 148 total passing yards.
Saints Defense held Turner to 48 rushing yards and forced him to fumble on the 1 yard line.
Your 2nd best rusher of the night…guess who…Matty Ice with 26 yards.
Drew Brees commits back to back interceptions and comes right back out there and drives his team down the field 90 yards for the game winning TD.
That is something your beloved Falcons and Matty Ice could never do!
MV7 for MVP
December 28th, 2010
10:12 am
The Skip Bayless Jinx strikes again
MannyIce
December 28th, 2010
10:12 am
The reason why Mike Smith made the decision was because the offense wasn’t moving the ball. The defense, however, played a monster of a game. The defense played terrific, and they accounted for 7 of the points.
The offense, however, only had one touchdown the entire game. That’s the problem. It was an anemic performance. But I’m kinda happy that we lost because I think that it will make the Falcons hungrier in that locker room. The Falcons plays better when they’re underdogs.
tony
December 28th, 2010
10:13 am
mike, what does forgive means? just the meaning plz.
heartofdarkness
December 28th, 2010
10:13 am
I thought the Falcons best offensive plays involved getting a back going down field against a LB or DL. The Saints stuffed the run all night, and had good coverage on White, Gonzalez and Jenkins especially in the second half. Something had to be open, but the Falcons didn’t find it or chose not to divert from their basic attack. Maybe that is well founded strategic thinking or maybe it is boneheadedness. Only the playoffs against the better defenses will reveal the truth.
Tough Nolla Guy
December 28th, 2010
10:15 am
TCCB
December 28th, 2010
10:08 am
@ snake doctor : you are a sick person you need some help real bad:
MV is a sociopath! Anyone, and I mean anyone, who would choke an animal with his bare hands is not a role model but a serial killer wanna be. Of course MV ain’t gut the guts to try to kill a real person so he kills defenseless animals!
WOW what a statement!!!!!!!!
—–
No he is not a sociopath. you don’t know what the word means. Unless you are a vegeterian and have been one all your life you aren’t any better.
Actually how he treated those dogs was no different than a parking ticket. Keep hollering though.
dga
December 28th, 2010
10:16 am
To be honest, I’m not that upset by this loss, or the conservative game plan (aside from not going for it on 4th and 6 near the end of the game). I thought it was pretty obvious that both teams played things pretty close to the chest in this one, and the Saints got the better of the Falcons.
Going into the playoffs, with a chance to see the Saints for a third time, I’d rather be 1-1 against them, than 2-0 (especially with 2 games that could have gone either way). It would be extremely difficult for any team to beat the defending Super Bowl champs 3 times in the same season. It’s not like we got killed. I would have been a lot more worried going into the playoffs if we had gotten beat badly last night, but I feel like we were conservative on purpose, and I highly doubt we will see a similar approach by Mike Smith in the playoffs. Defense played well (against the best offense they will see, other than the Eagels potentially) which is good to see at this point in the season.
I think both teams approached this game knowing that there was a good chance they could see each other in the playoffs, and that’s why both teams played conservative. You have to go into this game, play conservative, and hope you pull it out in the end. At this point in the season, when you have a chance to clinch home field the following week, you really need to save any wrinkles you plan to put into your scheme for the playoffs. I’m not happy we lost, but I don’t think there is any reason to panic. We split with the defending SB champs, are 12-3 and should still clinch home field next week. If you had told me before the season that we would go 13-3, have home field through the playoffs and split with the Saints, I would have taken that in a heartbeat. Have to keep things in perspective, and while losing to the Saints sucks, I’d rather beat them in the playoffs (if we play them). Plus, I don’t think there’s any way that any team can beat the Falcons twice in the Dome this season
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:18 am
Jeff:
Great story. I’m not sure how some of these bloggers are blaming the offense coordinator. The Saints played a conservative game plan as well, until after Brees threw his 2nd interception. They knew this game would be close.
I said it a few weeks back when the Saints beat the Cowboys, everyone can blame whoever they want, but Brees drove the Saints up the field 90 yards for the game winning touchdown. He did the same against the Cowboys going 89 yards.
The Falcons were 3 of 12 on 3rd conversions. The Saints were 8 of 17. Three flags were thrown on the Falcons first touchdown to extend the drive. Two flags were thrown to put the Falcons on the 1 yard line on Turner’s fumble.
Jackson Square
December 28th, 2010
10:19 am
Drew Brees said “It feels good, you just want to punch your ticket to the big show, and we’ve done that.
Obviously Carolina needs to beat Atlanta next week so we can get that 1-seed.”
The sAINTS
better worry about beating 9-6 Tampa Bay and not 2-13 Carolina beating Atlanta.
SportsFan31313
December 28th, 2010
10:19 am
Jeff Schultz,
I told mark Bradley two weeks ago that the “Dirty Birds” and “Mattie Ice” will fall to the Saints. I said, “MARK MY WORDS” The saint will beat the Dirty Birds in Dome.
They did. It was an exciting game. I have never seen the Falcons Defense play so well. They Blitzed All game. Red Jersey everywhere. Same thing for the Saints. It’s just that Drew Brees took care of business when the moment of truth arise. NEVER Underestimate Drew Brees.
Here is my prediction again: The Falcons will lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs, or if they meet the Philadelphia Eagles.
Falcons ROCK
December 28th, 2010
10:19 am
To all of the chest thumping, full of themselves Saints fans – congratulations! You woke up in second place this morning! Have fun playing in Chicago or Philly in January.
To the idiotic MV posters – I don’t care if he goes on to be the greatest that ever played the game – when he was here, he QUIT on this team, he QUIT on this town, and he QUIT on all of you so-called fans. Do you really think he cares about that (or you?).
BirdDog
December 28th, 2010
10:20 am
Jeff, you should get out of the prediction business.
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:22 am
Lawyers Should Not Be Refs:
Look at the picture that Jeff has up on the story. If I’m not mistaken, you can’t choke NFL players that are trying to sack your quarterback. However, that call was not made last night.
Tyler
December 28th, 2010
10:27 am
How do you pull Matt Ryan’s offense off the field? Well Mr.Shultz – does 3 for 12 on 3rd down make you fell more confident in “Matt’s offense”? Ha!!
And can you please stop referring to him as “Ice”? Look, the guy IS a good QB, but he’s simply noting more than a glorified “game-manager”.
Great game between two solid teams. We’ll meet again…
Ty
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:28 am
Jackson Square:
Everyone wanted to compare this year’s Falcons to last year’s Saints. Well, let’s keep that comparison going. The Saints lost to the Cowboys last year after going 13-0, and undefeated at home. Then they lost a very tough emotionally draining game to the Boys. The next week, they played a very sorry Tampa Bay Bucs team. The Saints jumped out early for a 17-0 halftime lead. The Bucs came back in the 2nd half and won in overtime.
I’ve believe the Saints will get the 5th seed, but don’t understimate the Panthers. They play the same type of ball possession, field position game that you all do. They rushed for 218 yards against you a few weeks back. In that same game, they fumbled the 1st play on their own 10 yard line. You all scored a TD after the turnover.
Gatorman
December 28th, 2010
10:29 am
I love guys that hate Matt Ryan, but he did what the coaches wanted, hate if you must. Mularkey has been fired from every job he’s had, so why is he still here. Remember Bill O’Brien (offensive coordinator at GTech) fired by Chan Gailey because he wasn’t very good, yeah the same guy that is the Offensive Coordinator for the New England Patriots. Good head coaches understand how both the offense and defense must attack and react, and it’s obvious now that Smith relies too much on Mularkey’s ability.
voo doo is trashy
December 28th, 2010
10:31 am
Can the Falcons beat 2-13 Carolina and clinch the division ?
I think so.
Dan
December 28th, 2010
10:32 am
I’ve been a Falcons fan since I was a child in the late 60’s. This Falcons management, coaching staff and players have brought the most success any Falcon team has ever seen and all most of ya’ll can do is beitoch and most of you idiots want to see them gone. Ya’ll don’t deserve success; ya’ll don’t deserve this team.
miko.wade@gmail.com
December 28th, 2010
10:32 am
Our offense was a total no show last night and we were still in the game. If Turner wouldn’t have fumbled, then we would have easily won.
I am not concerned with this lost because I know that we will win against the Panthers. What I am concerned with with is our offense being too conservative.
I say let Matty air it out more! C’MON Mike Smith, you have to remove the cuffs!
Peace,
http://www.the404list.com
mcdaviddawg
December 28th, 2010
10:33 am
A bad coaching game. Bad decision at the end and bad deciison in running Turner when NO had shown they could shut him down. Apparently no plan B if Turner couldn’t get it done.
Bird Fan Forever
December 28th, 2010
10:35 am
I would like to count how many games Jeff has won in the NFL as a HC, OC, or QB. For that matter, how many games have any of you moron, loser, Tuesday morning QB’s won? Let’s look at some of your arguments, gripes, bitches, and general compaints.
1. The Falcons should have gone for it on 4th and 6. (How bad a decision would this seem now if that “almost fumble” by the Saints had counted? Jeff would be praising Mike Smith. That is why loser non-athletes like Shultz that cannot run, throw, or catch have nothing important to say.)
2. The Falcons gameplan is too vanilla. (Well, they are 12-3. They lost in OT in week 1. They got kicked around by the Eagles on a bad day. Last night they came in with a gameplan that would have worked to perfection if not for a botched snap and Turner’s first fumble of the year. Guess they should have accounted for those two mistakes in the gameplan, right morons?)
3. The Falcons defense cost them by not rushing the QB late. (Two answers to that one. First, they continued to bring pressure. Did you notice those guys in red shirts rushing the QB. They got blocked with 5 and 6 man pressure. That ain’t scheming. That is getting blocked. Secondly, the Saints stopped sending pressure and it won them the game. If the Falcons had done that intentionally, it might not have been a bad idea.)
Skitty Fritty
December 28th, 2010
10:35 am
Don’t Panic, the Falcons have only lost 3 games and will clinch home field next week Last time I checked, the Super Bowl wasn’t played on 12/27.
Go Falcons!
Bravissimo
December 28th, 2010
10:35 am
Heres a comparison to chew on Vick lovers:
Ryan 1-3-09 @ Ariz L 30-24 15/29 199 yds 2td’s 2 int’s 72.8 qb rating
Vick 1-23-05@ Phil L 24-17 11/24 136 yds 0td’s 1 int 45.8 qb rating
C from Marietta
December 28th, 2010
10:36 am
WOW! Falcon’s fans. Your so ready to throw them under the bus after one game. They win Sunday and they have the best record in the NFC. It’s not like the Saints came in here and piled up big points. I can’t believe the bad mouthing over ONE loss. Most of you are cowards. When the going gets tough you pussy out. They lost the battle not the
Kashi
December 28th, 2010
10:39 am
RODDY WHITE IS TURNING INTO ANOTHER D’HALL. He needs to focus more on game then thinking about choice words to blog on social network. What he thinks of himself that noone can touch him. It’s football. White is pissing me off last few games. Smith needs to be tough on guys like a first year coach. White has more offensive pass interferance calls then anytime in his career in last few games. Can somone add his penalty yards in last few games?
ymmot
December 28th, 2010
10:39 am
Tough loss, love the Falcons, but we simply did not get the offensive game plan done. Defense overall played their hearts out, especially up front. Brees truly showed what a great competitor can do with twice the will! He made a couple of huge mistakes, but also played like a posessed man that got the job done.
Was not a good game for MR..did not see the same fire that is most always there. Seemed lost at times. I guess it’s just nerves. Has a bit of a losers limp at times. Seems the Matty Ice label is not truly deserved just yet. Tough loss, we can overcome, but the offense has got to re-think it’s gameplan, or it’s just the same old ’slightly’ improved Falcons. And that’s why the city stays lukewarm about them. Selah.
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:40 am
Bird Fan:
The Saints defense stopped the Falcons after Abraham’s interception. All you had to do was get a few first downs and then kick a field goal. The didn’t do it and had to punt. What’s ironic is Smith went for it on 4th down 3 times the first game, but wasn’t taken any chances the 2nd game.
Falcons73
December 28th, 2010
10:41 am
It was definitely disappointing that the Falcons lost last night, but there was no shame in the effort by both teams. It was a hard fought game and it came down to the final minutes to decide the winner. It’s disingenuous to say that the Falcons are now a failure because they lost this game or that the Saints are so much better for winning.
The fact remains is that both teams are fairly even and have won on each respective team’s home field. If I am being objective and not over emotional, I would pick apart a few areas that I feel must be corrected.
Mike Smith has a very defined way of playing the game on offense and defense and it’s definitely very conservative. His mind set is to play percentages by winning the ground game match up/time of possession and shrinking their opponents number of plays. For the most, this strategy works but he needs a little more planned aggression during games. Last night the offense was clearly out of sync and the Saints were determined to load the box and make Ryan beat them (which he is clearly capable of doing). Instead of running some play action on 1st down, they were steadfast in trying to pound against 8 & 9 man fronts (obviously didn’t work).
The 4th & 6 in the fourth quarter, with less than 3 minutes was also a colossal brain fart. If you are going to win in the playoffs, you have to be willing to give your team a chance in those situations. Go with Ryan and give you team a chance of winning with the ball in your hands, then conceding defeat by punting. The Saints had just scored on a 90 yard drive and the defense looked a little less stout (at that time). It’s clear that Sean Payton was not going to be denied and the Saints were even throwing the football on their last possession under the 20 yard line.
If they Falcons are going to win in the playoffs and prove to nation that we are for real, it’s imperative that Mike Smith & Mike Mularky allow Matt Ryan more freedom to take charge of this offense and take them to the next level.
TCCB
December 28th, 2010
10:41 am
@ Tough Nolla Guy:Please explain that to Underground Atlanta I don”t like dog!!!!!!!
Keith
December 28th, 2010
10:44 am
Come on People!!! The guys made some mistakes that they do not nirmally make, Jeff youir right on this point. I disagree with you on the punt though, almost 3 mins left the Defense has been playing well and your on your side of the 50, you give Brees a short fioeld and we already saw what happens, yes Matt has been clutch, and yes we have the best 4th %, but you don’t go for it on your side of the 50 when the game is with in reach. we did not make the play we needed, it did not help that the refs gave the Saint a fablous spot. that said the Defense played out of their A– all night, Brees pulled a couple of Vick escapes and made plays. I think we learn form this and it makes us stronger going into the Playoffs, all roads lead to ATL!!!
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
10:45 am
RISE UP!!!! and punt on 4th and 6!!!
LMAO
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:46 am
Falcons73:
I’m sure Mike Smith was thinking about the 4th down play last year in the GA Dome that Vilma stopped short for the Saints win. Your coach played it right. He gave you a chance to win the game. Your defense, which played pretty well all night, didn’t deliver.
Byronatl99
December 28th, 2010
10:47 am
That’s what I don’t get! After Turner fails to break the line at the Saints 1yd why go for the same play again? WHY?
We know Ryan can boot leg it so why not spread the Saints D?
We lost that as oppose to the Saints winning it.
I think in the off season we need to pick up a superstar defender…. a Troy or Ware etc…..
Our D still doesn’t have the killer drive of other teams.
Saying that one mistake by our offense shouldn’t cost us the game! The offense failed to capitalize on opportunities and for a game like this Ryan should have been pin point! No Excuse!
Courage
December 28th, 2010
10:49 am
On the 4th and 6 from the 43 yard line…
First, I would say the odds are equal or better that we have a play designed to get 6 yards and execute this play than the odds of keeping Drew Brees from getting a first down or two. He’d just gotten several in a row on the previous 90 yard drive! With the ball in hand you can control your fate; with the ball in Brees hands, HE controls your fate in this situation.
Second, Even should we miss the 4th down play they get the ball at our 43 needing to accomplish the identical thing–get a first down or two and run out the clock. It wasn’t like the ball was on our 23!
Third, and this is the most disappointing aspect, what did we have to lose? Smith’s comments after the loss is “we still are in the perfect position and the other 15 teams in the NFC would love to be where we are.” Meaning, even with this loss we can accomplish the same goals nest Sunday. Then why not go for it if you have nothing to lose and your still holding the “trump card” in your hand by beating Carolina next week?
You see, I think another opportunity was missed to try to practice and hopefully execute a do or die play that we may face again in the postseason. Somewhere along the way we may face another 4th down play to keep our season alive so why not prepare for one right there–with nothing to lose–to give our team more confidence by having pr oven in this game they can do this. Lastly, what if they had succeeded on the 4th and 6th and went on for a tying field goal or game winning TD.
In my opinion and there’s not a doubt in my mind that, given the identical set of circumstances, Sean Peyton and Bill Belichick would have allowed Brees or Brady to got for it! Coach Smith and or Mike Mularkey will need to sharpen or “man up” at these critical moments or somewhere in the postseason once again we will painfully watch the opposing QB take a knee as we helplessly watch the game clock expire.
It was the wrong call at the moment under the circumstances.
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
10:53 am
The Falcons “Rose up”….and got smashed. Give the ball to Ryan? He had the ball the entire and put up an amazing 148yds passing.
Like I’ve always said…..
Stop Mike Turner = Falcons loss
Time and time again its been proven…put the “entire” game on Ryan’s shoulder and his “ICE” will melt. Sure, he’s had some comebacks this year and good for him, but FRANCHISE QBs (Vick, Brady, Manning, Brees, Freeman, etc) put the franchise on their backs and carry them to the promised land.
Maybe Ryan needs to keep a piece of ice in his hand,lol. He damn sure didn’t have any “ice” in his veins last night. Dude’s arm was tired,lol
willipic
December 28th, 2010
10:54 am
Turner is bull strong , but has little speed laterally.
North-south running is his forte, and playoff level defenses
have figured it out.Unless the birds use him in most effective manner they will not last long in playoffs
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 28th, 2010
10:55 am
Like I have been saying, CHOKE is a NOODLE ARM JOKE.
If you play 5 years of college ball and still throw 22 picks in the weak A.C.C. in your 5th season, you are not NFL starting material.
The Falcons have emptied the bank trying to make this scrub legit. Check out all the transactions that the organization has made to provide him with a supporting cast:
- 72 million dollar contract without proving his worth.
- Drafted 1st round offensive linemen (Vick never had any).
- Signed a 50 something million dollar back (Vick had a 180 midget).
- Signed an entirely new management staff (Still no playoff wins).
- Wasted a 2nd round pick on aging tight end (K.C. looks good w/pick).
- Now has a pro bowl back, receiver and tight end (still sucks).
The Falcons need to realize that this chump is not the answer and I’m tired of the excuses about how Flacco and Sanchez has tough defenses and that is the reason why their rookie coach and rookie qb was able to make it to the championship game in their rookie seasons, even though they didn’t have all the offensive weapons that surrounded CHOKE.
I told you that CHOKE and the Falcons were F-R-A-U-D-S and they got exposed on national television. They proved why AMERICA likes watching the Eagles in prime time, afterall the Eagles are 8-0 in prime time games.
If the Eagles played the Falcons last night, the Eagles would have won by 30 easily.
No more superbowl or elite qb talk – this whole organization is a big JOKE just like CHOKE
JeanE
December 28th, 2010
10:57 am
The 2 very uncharacteristic errors by McClure and Turner killed us. But so did Mike Mularkey. Anyone still calling him an “offensive guru” is nuts. What adjustments did he make when his predictible run 1st offense was stuffed? None. He continued to run the same plays and we continued to go 3 and out. And why the freak does he continue to run that midget smurf Harry Douglas out there? Why throw to that smurf 2 times on unsuccesful key 3rd downs??? Finn gets one pass thrown his way all night, don’t know whether the miss was his fault or Ryan’s but then that was it for Finn the rest of the night. Makes no sense whatsoever. Finn is 6′5″ and can actually see when the ball is thrown his way, plus he is a superlative blocker. Mularkey is just flat out awful. He and Smith both are holding Ryan back. Understandable while he was a rookie but he is capable of so much more. And this infatuation with Harry Douglas is ridiculous. What good is his speed if he can’t catch the damn ball??? But kudos to the defense and BVG for devising a kickbutt blitzing scheme and they played out of their minds awesome all night. Abe was fabulous and defense kept us in the game all night. Offense laid a stink egg courtesy of one MIke Mularkey. Who the heck would want him for their head coach?? Gotta go annihilate Carolina now. Go Birds.
Saints1Fan
December 28th, 2010
10:57 am
This game will have an affect on the team’s phsyche, no matter what anyone says. They will be sitting in meetings “dazed”. They lost their mojo. Now just think if the Falcons win the 1st seed, they could see the Saints first, or even the Packers. The Saints can beat you twice in one season. They did it last year, as a matter of fact, Brees is 8-2 as a Saint. Another stat I just read, the Saints are 6-0 when Bush plays and 0-2 when he doesn’t play. If the Packers come here, you won’t beat them twice. Especially after they had a poor showing the 1st time and were in position to win.
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
10:57 am
OK, Falcon fans, you can make all the excuses that you want, but you just got beat. A few things should be clear. First, Matt Ryan is not yet an elite quarterback, and whether he develops into one or not is to be seen. Elite QB’s win big games like this one, and when they get the ball with 3 minutes left down by 3 points they step up and deliver. Mattie Ice disappeared in that situation, and you really can’t deny that. Brees stepped up and drove his team 90 yards for a touchdown when it counted, and that is why he is an elite QB. Brees can put points on the board and score even when his running game isn’t there, but Ryan can’t. To beat the Falcons you just have to stuff Turner, and make Ryan try to beat you with his arm. The Falcons are a good team, not a great team, and Trent Dilfer was right. They can be beaten at home, and the Saints can do it again in the playoffs. The fact that the Falcons offense only scored 7 points and was held to just over 200 yards in a big game at home says a lot. Sorry dirty birds, but facts are facts.
Shout out to TRENT DILFER
Ryan Supporter
December 28th, 2010
10:58 am
Fort Leavenworth is not the promised land.
Who Dat Tigershakk
December 28th, 2010
10:58 am
Hard fought game, I would expect nothing less from a Saints-Falcons game. I was impressed with the Saints defense shutting down Michael Turner, we usually have a tough time tackling him, but GW did well preaching his “population to the football” slogan. Only allowed one offensive TD. Great for the Saints to get this win and lock up the #5 seed so we will play at St Louis/Seattle rather than Philly/Chicago in the first round. I’m sure yall will have no problem with Carolina, so the road will go through Atlanta, and it took a heck of an effort to win tonight. I have a feeling we will meet again. Good to see this great rivalry get some national attention. WHO DAT! REPEAT DAT!
Ryan Supporter
December 28th, 2010
11:00 am
Trent Dilfer was a below average QB, far from a good QB.
Shout out to the 12-3 Falcons.
Who Dat Tigershakk
December 28th, 2010
11:00 am
*to win LAST night. (still hungover from partying last night, half asleep)
GregKennesaw
December 28th, 2010
11:00 am
I think saints fans and falcons fans can agree on one thing.
Roddy White needs to shut up and just play the game
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
11:01 am
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan: “Like I have been saying, CHOKE is a NOODLE ARM JOKE”
DAMN!!! LOL!!! Man you just made me laugh out loud at work. That was funny as hell