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
Michael in Dunwoody
January 9th, 2011
9:07 pm
It looks like Choke is back on the Flacco bandwagon. Hilarious! And now he’s backing Mark Sanchez (Mark Sanchez!!); you can’t make this stuff up!
Tell me, what do Joe “Cool” Flacco and Mark Sanchez have in common? They both lost to Matt Ryan! And until Sanchez or Flacco wins the Super Bowl, they don’t stand on higher ground than any other quarterback in the league.
By losing in the playoffs (which they both have), and thereby not reaching the Super Bowl, they just become quarterbacks of teams who failed to win a championship. Dare I say, they CHOKED in the playoffs?
Any loss by Matt Ryan is a choke to “Choke” but a loss by Flacco/Vick/Sanchez/QB Flavor of the Month is..what exactly, choke? You can’t have it both ways. Discuss.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:08 pm
hey choke, seriously, you think vick is better than brady, how many rings does vick have? Big Ben has how many rings? Peyton manning? Vick may be in the top ten, but best, no way. not even close. sniffing his jock is clouding your thinking, ease up, take a breath of fresh air.
Bye Bye Breesy
January 9th, 2011
9:11 pm
Nice game against the 7-9 Seahawks, you losers! Nice D !! That ring is H I S T O R Y. Have fun watching the Falcons in the playoffs while crying in your jambalaya. Nice game! And you still have never won a road playoff game. Losers!! LMFAO!!!
Reggies Bush
January 9th, 2011
9:13 pm
WHO DAT? WE DAT! WHO DAT? WE DAT! WHO DAT? WE DAT! Falcons Stink.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:13 pm
I guess he has gone back to sniffing flacco’s jock now, he’s not been mentioning him much this year, especially after we beat them, but I guess it’s all he has left.
69 Atlanta Falcon
January 9th, 2011
9:14 pm
Down go’s Green Bay, down go’s Green Bay…………………………………..
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:15 pm
Reggies bush,
now that’s original, did you think that up yourself or did your mommy help you? don’t strain yourself.
Hey nice A$$ whooping you took yesterday, talk about stinking!
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:15 pm
Atlanta Falcons can’t make it to the super bowl without MV7. Atlanta is more likly to get 5″ of snow & ice before that could happen.
elviskl
January 9th, 2011
9:15 pm
Enter your comments here vick will be arrested by the start of training camp, guareented, just like quick trip gasoline…..hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ross
January 9th, 2011
9:16 pm
Thank God the Vick sideshow is over. I’d rather play the 68 Packers than deal with all that. It should be a thrilling game.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:17 pm
5150 — vick aint going to the SB, he just got his ass beat, damn I wish these people had half a brain.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:18 pm
How many Super Bowls has MV7 played in? We couldn’t get there when we had him. He had a chance in 2004 against the Eagles and couldn’t get the job done when the Falcons were favored.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:19 pm
vick is never going to the SB, he won’t last a season without getting hurt…. teams are going to beat the crap out of him….. just like they did toward the end of the season.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:19 pm
Deion break dancing on Gameday is killing me.
cheshire
January 9th, 2011
9:19 pm
Yeah CHOKE, great point – no way the Falcons can beat the Packers. Oh, except for when they actually did in November. Ignorance must be bliss in your imaginary world.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:20 pm
GREGKennesaw READ IT AGAIN. Now, get back to me in the morning after all the Snow & Ice in Atlanta.
Big Country
January 9th, 2011
9:21 pm
Seeing MV today reminded me of a few years ago in Philly. This time he had a green jersey. We will be fine on Saturday if we do not turn the ball over to them. All Atlanta fans are pulling for our Birds. Let’s get Green Bay then focus on Seattle (fingers crossed).
ATL Observer
January 9th, 2011
9:21 pm
While I know most Falcons fans wanted the Seahawks matchup, I actually think this weekend played out for the best. In the order of which these teams match up well to the Falcons, I thought the order was Eagles, Saints, Packers, Bears, Seahawks. If they beat the Packers, that’s the top 3 on that list behind them.
But it’s all purely subjective, once you get to the postseason, you never know what can happen.
The Packers game was a real close one so neither team (nor their fanbases) can come into the game cocky.
The Eagles managed to move the ball well despite a minimal rushing game (only 19 rushes and less than 100 yards total). I think the Falcons can get Turner over 100 yards and minimize turnovers, they’ve got a good shot.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:21 pm
5150, my apology
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2011
9:22 pm
POAD — Got your email. Sorry couldn’t get the live blog in today.
Atlanta Peach
January 9th, 2011
9:22 pm
So, How many touchdowns are the Falcons the Underdogs ?!?!
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:22 pm
GregKennesaw you must have half the brain or just can’t read and comprehend.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:22 pm
I actually caught myself pulling for #7 today because I thought it best to have the seahawks. I also forgot what a rollercoaster it was cheering for the guy. Made me darn glad we have #2. That all being said, I want, according to the pundits, the best team in the NFC. The saints were the darlings and now it is the Packers. We have to beat the best to get to championship game where we would most likely face the Bears and once again be the underdog on espn and everywhere else. BRING IT ON! GO FALCONS!
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:23 pm
Where is not a chance? The best thing going for his Panthers is that they are on the clock.
Bye Bye Breesy
January 9th, 2011
9:24 pm
Nice game Saints against the 7-9 Seahawks. Great D too. Looks like your pitiful road playoff streak continues. Have fun watching the Falcons in the playoffs while crying in your jambalaya. LMAO!!!
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:24 pm
CHOKE said Ryan would be one and done in the playoff, all season long.
Since the DogKiller was one and done – losing to the 6th seed – will CHOKE call Vick Choke?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO HE CALLS HIM THE GREATEST QB IN THE NFL!!!
LMFAO
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:24 pm
It all god JEFF. There were a few of us talking crap on the AJ blog about the NFL games anyway. AHHAHAH THANKS.
Sorry GregKennesaw. These Ryan and Falcon haters have me a lil MAD.
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
The season ends on a very low note for Roger Goodell’s favorite sadistic sociopath.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
I don’t agree that the Packers are the best. I think the Packers and Falcons are pretty even.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
Folks — no comments/questions that interject race PLEASE.
RockyMTNFalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
How many back to back winning seasons did con-vick have as a Falcon? None.
How many Superbowls did con-vick deliver to the Falcon Fans?
What did con-vick do other than embarrass the team with his off the field antics?
Yet, we have people that think mr con-vick is God’s gift to the NFL. It blows my frickin’ mind.
Fromunda Cheese Head - Go Puckers!
January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
Erin Rodders is man. The Eggles is tost. GrenBay goin too the SupperBowl. Awl teems ann awl udder teems fanes is loosers. Puckres commin two Attlinta ons Seterday. Got to go chek ons me kows. Kold up hear in Wisskonsen toonite, butts I will bee bak. We gone too talk abot my Peckers sum mor. Bie loosers.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:26 pm
By the way, anyone heard from seenthisb4 or mattchoke? I am betting they are on here under new names like reggies bush or some other dumba** juvenile name. No matter, they have not manned up since their team went home yesterday so why should they start?
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:26 pm
Ben-Roth,
well-said
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:27 pm
Jeff, any word on the line yet?
RockyMTNFalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:27 pm
Dilbert D.,
The season ends on a very low note for Roger Goodell’s favorite sadistic sociopath.
***********************
I guess President Obamma has no one else to cheer for either.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2011
9:28 pm
Suwaneefalcon — no.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
9:28 pm
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
8:53 pm
Keep knocking Matt Ryan. He just keeps winning.
_________________________________________________________
CHOKE keeps knocking himself. He hasn’t won anything that really matters.
Who cares about the back to back winning seasons and the dome record, when you don’t win in the playoffs…. E-V-E-R.
I bet Mark Sanchez or Joe Flacco can care less about regular season meaningless b.s., they just keep winning playoff games and CHOKE…well he continues to CHOKE
Picky Nicky
January 9th, 2011
9:28 pm
Where are all the Aints fans? It’s amazing what an @$$ whooping will do to you. Especially at the hands of the Seachickens. That was pitiful.
Atlanta Peach
January 9th, 2011
9:29 pm
Yeah Jeff, How many they are saying we will lose by ?!?!
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:29 pm
Line is Falcons -1.
In a neutral site, the Packers would be 2 point favorite.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:29 pm
Obama just came out and said the Patriots are and always have been his favorite team. Thanked the Pats for giving Brady a chance.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:29 pm
Choke, come back on Saturday night talking garbage if you have the guts.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:30 pm
Ben, you are saying we are underdogs?
MF
January 9th, 2011
9:31 pm
Let’s Go Falcons! Can’t wait until Saturday!
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:31 pm
No, we are favorite by 1 point… but usually the hometeam gets 3… So, falcons-1 means we would be underdog in a neutral site.
Atlanta Peach
January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
Choke, A team can win a SuperBowl with a average and below average Quarterback. Defense wins Championships and Offenses sell tickets. (I know with that line, I set myself up ! (wink))
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
By the way Choke, Mark Sanchez couldn’t hold Matt Ryan’s jock strap. The Jets usually win in spite of him. He’s going to show he’s not ready for primetime against Brady in New England.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
Ben, nevermind. Misread your post, thanks for the info if it is correct.
Reggies Bush
January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
GregKennesaw, Isn’t it past your bedtime? WHO? DAT!