Saints gone, Vick gone and Falcons ready to defend turf
Brent Grimes (20) and William Moore are two reasons for the Falcons' improved defense.
The New Orleans Saints are gone. Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles are gone.
Can you do without the drama? Thought so.
The Falcons’ first opponent of this postseason will be Green Bay. That hardly qualifies as an easy draw. At the outset of this season, many considered the Packers the best team in the NFC. But with the potential of Vick returning to the Georgia Dome in two weeks (nobody really relished that scenario) and the possibility of a third game against division rival New Orleans (were you really hoping for a showdown game against the defending Super Bowl champions?), this was as good a scenario as the Falcons could have hoped for.
They will be at home. They have had a week off. They will be facing a Green Bay team coming off a physical and emotional win and playing in a short week.
If you wonder whether the Falcons are good enough to beat Green Bay, maybe you’ve forgotten that they beat this team in November 20-17 at the Georgia Dome, when the defense wasn’t nearly as good as it is now.
Goodbye, Saints. Goodbye, Vick.
Now it’s just about football for the Falcons and trying to remember what postseason success feels like. When they play the Packers Saturday night at the Dome, it will be six years to the day of their last postseason victory — a 47-17 dismembering of the St. Louis Rams (Jan. 15, 2005). The following week, they lost the NFC title game at Philadelphia.
Then came the slide, then the misery, then the cataclysm.
It’s there for them. They are rested and they have the advantage of playing on their home turf, where they’re 20-4 since their rebirth in 2008 and quarterback Matt Ryan is 20-2.
It’s worth noting that when the Falcons defeated Green Bay in November, wide receiver Roddy White proclaimed: “I have no plans of going to Lambeau Field in January. I plan on staying right here and sleeping in my own bed in the playoffs.”
So let’s see where their own beds and climate controlled temperatures take them.
The path to a Super Bowl is there. That’s not just because the Falcons have a smart and efficient quarterback in Ryan, a game-changer in White and a versatile offense that prefers to pound the ball with Michael Turner. It’s because of a defense that nobody talks about.
This isn’t a game of real estate; it’s a game of points. The Falcons’ defense ranked only 16th in yards allowed during the regular season and 22nd against the pass. But they finished fifth in scoring defense at 18 points per game. In the final seven games of the regular season, the Falcons allowed 17, 17, 24, 10, 18, 17 and 10 points.
Has anybody noticed that?
Jack Tatum, the former Oakland Raiders safety, once proudly declared, “I like to think my best hits border on felonious assault.” (Worth mentioning: If Tatum played in Roger Goodell’s NFL, he would be jailed merely for thinking of inflicting harm.)
The Falcons’ defense doesn’t remind you of Tatum. They seem less a felonious assault squad than they do a bunch of sneaky pick-pockets.
We just watched the New Orleans Saints give up 41 points to the Seattle Seahawks. They’re out. So is Kansas City, which allowed 30 points to a pedestrian Baltimore offense. So are the Eagles, who finished 21st in scoring defense and couldn’t stop Rodgers and the Packers when they needed to
The Falcons’ defense hasn’t necessarily been some impenetrable force. But more often than not, it has made plays to win games or hold leads.
Defensive end John Abraham, from start to finish, has been the team’s best defensive player (the numbers: 13 sacks, one forced fumble, his first career interception). But the biggest difference of late is that the secondary no longer resembles scattering ants. Cornerback Brent Grimes and safety William Moore — who spent most of his rookie season on a training table – each have five interceptions. They’re two of the big reasons the lampooning has stopped.
“We know Abe has been a productive guy,” defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. “Those two [Grimes and Moore] really have been the next two guys in terms of lively production. Grimes really has a comfort this year playing corner in the NFL. His growth has been unbelievable. It’s been fun to watch. William makes mistakes but his interceptions and his impact in tackling are evident.”
They’re better now than the last time they played the Packers. The Saints are gone. Vick is gone. So let’s see where this road takes them.
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948 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:35 am
“You can argue he played and took those hits because he cared for the PAYCHECK (you know, to fund his “entourage” and his “activities”). But, he didn’t put in any EXTRA effort that would have paid off in a higher likelihood of winning, benefitting his teammates and the fans, the owners, etc.”
I honestly don’t think he’s smart enough to think through all of that. “Let me take just enough hits to where it looks like I’m trying.” Nah. He didn’t think he needed to study film because he could go out there and dominate teams with his ability. On some occasions he did, and on some occasions he didn’t. None of this changes the fact that the Falcons as a whole received p!ss-poor coaching during the entire Jim Moron regime, and Vick is not the only player from that time who has benefited from better coaching since then. Look at Roddy White. Look at Jonathan Babineaux.
Anyway, Vick said in a subsequent interview that he made the decision after the ‘06 season to pay more attention to studying game tape. It’s not like he would have continued indefinitely as the player he was under Moron.
jhughes
January 10th, 2011
1:36 am
and even this year he had a clear shot at the 2nd seed and fell apart down the stretch then lost to the 6th seed (although maybe the best 6th seed ever in NFC) but still it begs the question how far can he really take a team. He has always had problems with well coach Defenses.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:36 am
NFL Films’ presentation of the ‘98 title game is playing on ESPN right now.
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:38 am
Najeh, you keep focusing on “studying film” in your straw-man argument. As UGABugKiller points out, lack of film study was just one of his shortcomings. He didn’t put time in at practice, He didn’t work with this receivers, etc. More than just film. C’mon man, take off the rose colored glasses.
jhughes
January 10th, 2011
1:38 am
anyway night Najeh i will continue this discusion with you someother time
Eric
January 10th, 2011
1:38 am
Ahh, 1998! That game was on my birthday (Jan 17th)! Best birthday present ever: “The Falcons are going to the Super Bowl!! The Falcons are going to the SUper Bowl!!!”
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:39 am
“losing back to back weeks against the browns and the lions the year we started 5 -2 or 4-1 and finshed 8-8 i think or 7-9″
The Falcons collapsed down the stretch in ‘05 and ‘06 mainly because the underweight, flimsy defense collapsed and made people like Samkon Gado look like Pro Bowlers. In Week 15 of ‘06 Vick threw 4 TDs on NFL Network and the Falcons still lost because the defense couldn’t stop anyone.
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:39 am
Ah, the 98 title run…yes, some of Vick’s finest play…wait, that was Chandler?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:40 am
“Najeh, you keep focusing on “studying film” in your straw-man argument. As UGABugKiller points out, lack of film study was just one of his shortcomings. He didn’t put time in at practice, He didn’t work with this receivers, etc. More than just film. C’mon man, take off the rose colored glasses.”
Were you at practice?
My point is that whatever work ethic shortcomings he had didn’t trump the atrocious coaching the Falcons received. The fact that a) he has improved without those coaches, b) other players have improved without those coaches, and c) those coaches have utterly failed everywhere else they have been since then bears this out.
jhughes
January 10th, 2011
1:42 am
last thought those 2 games i pointed out he was awful…playcalling was weak too but he was terrible and i will never forget the 10-3 loss at the hands of chris FING Weinke i think that was 06…i guess those losses stick out in my mind more than yours
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:43 am
Najeh, Najeh…ah yes, how convenient you cherry picked week 15 of 2006. Because you know what happened in week 16? Can you say 10-3 loss to Carolina? 22.7 QB rating? Ah, those were the days.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:43 am
“And I will make them PAY for what they’ve done!!!”
I am shivering in my boots.
Every post from you reminds me of this. (Seek to 0:45)
Eric
January 10th, 2011
1:43 am
I just hope we don’t turn the ball over. We play ball-control offense, MR takes some shots down field on play-action, and the defense gets in Rodgers’ face we win going away. We play conservative and get off to our characteristic slow start while turning the ball over and we have no chance against GB or anybody else for that matter….
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:45 am
Najeh, no I wasn’t at practice…but his interview explicitly mentions not doing those things at practice.
Anyway, you aren’t giving Vick any credit for maturing, if you say it was all the coaches.
which one is it?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:45 am
“Najeh, Najeh…ah yes, how convenient you cherry picked week 15 of 2006. Because you know what happened in week 16? Can you say 10-3 loss to Carolina? 22.7 QB rating? Ah, those were the days.”
I used Week 15 to counter the idea that Vick got worse over the course of those seasons and this contributed to the Falcons losing. Yeah, he sucked in Week 16. So did a defense that couldn’t stop a team from putting together an 80 yard scoring drive entirely from the Wildcat formation.
Eric
January 10th, 2011
1:46 am
““And I will make them PAY for what they’ve done!!!”
I am shivering in my boots.
Dude, its a Star Trek reference. Lighten up!
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:46 am
They gave up 10 POINTS in that game…Vick engineered 3. I don’t care how Carolina lined up and what offense they ran, that game was on the offense and VICK.
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:47 am
KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!
(I think that fits the tone of this blog tonigh, no?)
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 10th, 2011
1:48 am
I really should have taken the truck out tonight. It would have been fun on the snowey roads and I could have made some frienda or money by getting people UN-Stuck, but I just couldn’t leave the MV7 BullSh.t. I am a REAL fan of the Titans QB McNAIR. Man now that was a Class too. He is something the NFL needs to be proud of. He was PERFECT when he played, but real life hit and we saw his chinks in his armour too.
Chea do you love McNair for all he did as a Black QB, Husband, and Father? He did so much for the community and the Tiatans until he go caught. Well it was after he was retired. I met him a few times in Nashville at the NASCAR bar. Never saw his wife of kids, but he was drinking and partying like he was single. I guess we know now why that was too.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:48 am
“Anyway, you aren’t giving Vick any credit for maturing, if you say it was all the coaches.
which one is it?”
Like I said before, the coaches played a much bigger role than any lack of effort did.
To me, the most obvious indicator of Vick’s value is how truly awful the teams in ‘03 and ‘07 were. Teams that were built to rely on Vick just fell apart without him.
My point has never been that he was perfect as a Falcon or that all his shortcomings were the coaching staff’s fault. It has always been that he was much better as a Falcon than the stats indicated and the vast majority of his shortcomings (and Roddy White’s shortcomings, and the offensive line’s shortcomings, and the defense’s shortcomings) were the coaching staff’s fault.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:49 am
“Dude, its a Star Trek reference. Lighten up!”
Man… he needs to start making references to things I watch.
ijonathan
January 10th, 2011
1:50 am
Najeh, did Vick have better personnel and coaches around him during the 2004-2006 run in Atlanta, or this year in Philadelphia?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:51 am
“They gave up 10 POINTS in that game…Vick engineered 3. I don’t care how Carolina lined up and what offense they ran, that game was on the offense and VICK.”
That was the worst game he played when he was here given the circumstances. It doesn’t contradict my broader point.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
1:54 am
“Najeh, did Vick have better personnel and coaches around him during the 2004-2006 run in Atlanta, or this year in Philadelphia?”
Coaching was better this year in Philly without question. I don’t think in terms of pure talent this year’s Philly team is much more talented than those Falcons teams, but it is definitely coached much better. This year’s Eagles have better skill position talent, but at every other position those Falcons were at least as talented.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 10th, 2011
1:58 am
Can we all agree on ONE thing?
MV7 was every brothers DREAM and CHIPPER was every Rednecks DREAM.
MV& millions and hitting everything in sight. Smoking Snoop Doggs finest. Roll’n with is Posse.
CHIPPER was Hitting everything in sight(HOOTERS CHICK). Hunting and Killing on all the best Hunnting Clubs. Spiting Tabacky and working on his farm.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 10th, 2011
2:02 am
Najeh
What are you doing right now that you can’t get in my Big Ford and Ride around Atlanta snagging cars out of ditches and Slingin Snow and Doin Doughnuts on I-75/85? Man we could knock back some JACK and have a good time. Call me you will like it.
JJ
January 10th, 2011
2:13 am
As a Falcon fan and Michael Vick fan I am embarrassed to be cheering for the same team with these disgusting Michael Vick Haters. Jealousy is ugly. I swear most of yall would rather see a human baby die than a puppy.LOL!! Have some respect for yourselves. I’m not surprised though since we live in a redneck state. Anyways. GO FALCONS!!! SUPER BOWL BABY!!!
Once "Recent" Reader
January 10th, 2011
2:28 am
5150POAD . . ..pretty entertaining reading Najeh’s invite to go for a ride helping the snowbound. However, I’m still not sure about the Patton comment from earlier. I don’t think he actually went head to head with Rommell when he got into the North Africa fray. I think Von Armin (something like that) was heading the Africa Corps at that time due to Rommell sickness or R&R. Too tired to research it now, but I’m a big WWII buff .. . and will check it out:) And after reading the back and forth recently, I’m beginning to think it is easier defending Ryan’s on-field actions then it is M. Vick’s as a Falcon.
jarvis
January 10th, 2011
2:37 am
Hey Jeff !!!!! How is it the Aaron Rodgers is consider “elite” , being he just won his 1st playoffs game but some people say Matt Ryan isn’t “elite ” until he wins a playoff game.
jarvis
January 10th, 2011
2:39 am
Where is Matt”CHOKE” Ryan
TradeMark
January 10th, 2011
3:04 am
To all the losers that agonized the Falcons boards this entire year with Saints and Eagles garbage:
HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.: HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAH *breathe breathe* HA!
Stinger2
January 10th, 2011
3:08 am
I really hope the Falcons can beat GB. However, I am not as confident as a lot of the other fans. Granted, the home field, rested Falcons. etc. are great advantages, GB is a good football team and will not be easy to beat.
Dome Sweet Home
January 10th, 2011
3:20 am
How great it is to play in the dome:
Saturday January 15th, Atlanta: 45 degree High/30 degree Low and about 70 degrees inside the Dome
Saturday January 15th, Green Bay: 17 degree High/3 degree Low and 30% chance of Snow
Dome Sweet Home
January 10th, 2011
3:26 am
“I really hope the Falcons can beat GB. However, I am not as confident as a lot of the other fans”
They’re a good solid match though, you know what to expect. Had it been the Eagles you would have the Vick factor and had it be the Seahawks you have their unpredictability factor. Packers can run, throw, and defend (just like the Falcons) and their XFactor on Offense is the QB (same as the Falcons).
Aaron Rodgers however is new to the playoff scene, he didn’t make any mistakes against the Eagles but with being only a few steps away from the Super Bowl and on a short week you never know what can happen.
P. Bull Terrier
January 10th, 2011
3:40 am
Looks like FALCONS SORRY must be back in jail. He seems to have disappeared again.
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
5:00 am
Mike Vick for MVP? Does Brady throw interceptions to finish the game? Vick sucks. Too bad because I wanted the Falcons to have a chance to whip his sorry ass in the dome.
Pour4now
January 10th, 2011
5:21 am
Here is an objective view of the Pakers/Falcons game from a Pack Fan. I’ve read all the posts about tired legs and a short week, only scoring 1 TD against the Bears, only scoring 1 TD 2nd half against Eagles, Falcons secondary playing better than 1st Packers game and still won that game., on and on and on. The packer’s D has also been playing lights out and has the # 2 scoring D to the Falcons #5. Those all are nice stats but none of that means anything come Saturday. These are two very good, well coached, teams and the game will be decided by turnovers. I’ve been reading Pack fan excuses about the Falcons game and how we win the game if not for the goal-line fumble or runback/facemask. Maybe, maybe not. Bottom line is none of either teams previous games, mean anything on Saturday. The best team on Saturday will win, and probably go to the SB. I don’t think it wise to talk smack before a game inviting people back for crow after the game, unless of course it’s your favorite meal. All we can hope for is a cleanly ref’d game where the players decide the outcome and the winner moves on with no injuries. Good luck and GO PACK!
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
5:24 am
How did you Eagles fans like my McNabb “so close but no cigar” impression. Pretty good huh?
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
5:28 am
It is always wise to talk smack if you don’t actually have to play in the game. Players don’t actually give a rats behind about what random fans say on blogs. Excuse me while I find a Green Bay blog that is relevant so I can talk more smack.
Pour4now
January 10th, 2011
5:29 am
Dome Sweet Dome
Rodgers is not really new to the playoff scene, he threw 4 TD’s last year in the Arizona game and now has the record (with 3 against the Eagles) of 7 TD passes in his first 2 playoff games. He does not make many mistakes. In fact several of his picks this year were balls batted up by receivers. These two QB’s are very similar and I would have to give the experience nod to Rodgers.
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
5:47 am
To all you Falcons fans who keep saying to the idiot, “that was the dumbest thing you’ve said” I’ll quote his dumb*** from last week, “the days of people like Brady and Manning are over. If you can’t run you cannot make it as a quarterback in this league” Go back to the posts last week if you don’t believe me. He actually believes Brady and Manning are hanging on by a thin thread. He thinks the ability to read defenses is overrated. Throwing an interception to end a game is somebody else’s fault in his opinion. Aliens had taken over Vick’s brain and were playing the alien version of Madden. I appreciate all you Falcons fans trying to make sense. Stop wasting your time trying to make a logical argument to this moron. Just enjoy making fun of him like I do.
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
5:52 am
Aaron Rodgers is the man. End of story. I’ll concede that to any Packers fan that wants to argue. 5 weeks ago he played in the dome and he was amazing. The team played as if their lives depended on it. It wasn’t enough. Be happy your team made it to the second round. Contract extensions all around, drinks on me.
Ivan
January 10th, 2011
6:27 am
What a great weekend! Got to see the Saints lose to the worst playoff team in NFL history and saw Vick choke at home.
It’s ok Eagles and Saints fans. You can watch Atlanta go all the way to the Superbowl starting this Saturday.
Bring on the Pack!
swampfox59
January 10th, 2011
6:37 am
I am glad to see vick out- He said he was much more excited than nervous b4 game. He also would vote himself mvp.-cna u not see his old self coming out? hope philly keeps him. when eagle come to dome next year we crush him once and 4-all. He sat on bench after game as Rogers looked to shake his hand.
GB much tougher team than eagles but a much classier game. No thugs allowed.
swampfox59
January 10th, 2011
6:43 am
pour4now. the way u sound u would give rogders more than a nod. Falcons will dominate
rosco
January 10th, 2011
6:43 am
I just wish the Falcon fans in Atl. would find another name for this team. This team is not the Dirty Birds. What was it ten plus years ago when that team last played. Do you see them doing any kind of dance when they score a TD? That’s what the Dirty Birds did!!!!!
Cheesehead
January 10th, 2011
6:44 am
The Falcons season ends Sunday.
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
January 10th, 2011
6:44 am
Who is going to win the Falcons/Packers game? I don’t really care. The Falcons are the most PHYSICAL team left in the playoffs. Thank you Mike Smith, Lofton, Clabo, Mughelli, et al. The Packers probably still have bruises from the last time they came to the dome. If by some miracle they actually win they will be so utterly beat to hell it won’t matter.The only team that comes close in a street fight is the Steelers. No drama, no heros, just one mean ass football team. Nobody outside of Atlanta knows the name of our safeties and they hit harder than anybody in the league. It doesn’t matter what any Packer fan has to say. The pain is coming.
Noodlearm
January 10th, 2011
6:46 am
Falcons will be one and done this weekend!
Samuel
January 10th, 2011
6:46 am
We need to play smart football with few penalties and mistakes. Vangorder needs to pull out all his tricks to keep this offense off stride. Remember Aaron Rodgers is one concussion from being done. If he get’s shaken up he’ll be thinking about being concussed.