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
fabulous flying patrinos
January 9th, 2011
10:52 pm
falcons will lay an egg…bank on it no way this sorry excuse for a franchise that plays in a tent makes a run….falcons will be exposed as the fraud that they are
Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
10:53 pm
Ryan got a win, a bye is as good as a win.
1990_Champs_GT
January 9th, 2011
10:54 pm
Summer Brees felt not so fresh in Seattle on Saturday and Vicky-poo did what he does on Sunday. I wanted to beat both to go to the Super Bowl, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Beat whoever is in front of you. Packers first then Bears next. It doesn’t matter; just win!
Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
10:54 pm
Why did Flacco get a win this weekend and Ryan did not? Because RYAN DID NOT HAVE TO PLAY.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
10:55 pm
fabulous,
This fraud went 13-3 this year, just beat the packers a month ago. we may lose, but it won’t be a blowout. I think it could go either way.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
10:55 pm
Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
10:53 pm
Ryan got a win, a bye is as good as a win.
__________________________________________________
So you are so desperate you are crediting CHOKE with wins
A bye will be the only way he wins in the playoffs – you are pathetic
Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
10:56 pm
Wait a minute, did I just see Vick throw a pic in a playoff game on the line. I think we have a new “Choke”. First Vick choked dogs, not playoff games. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
10:57 pm
A special shoutout goes to Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Glen Beck and Russ.
They finally got someone in Arizona to listen to their “Get armed and dangerous” statements.
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
10:57 pm
“falcons will lay an egg…bank on it.”
Kindly post your account number and PIN
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
10:58 pm
Who threw a pick in a WILD CARD game (a game that Ryan did not even have to play due to his superior QB play throughout the season) with the game on the LINE. VICK DID. Talk about a CHOKE JOB.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:00 pm
Anyone who has ever played in tournament play (something Choke never did), knows that a bye is as good as a win, In tournament play, it is not about how many wins you get, it is how far you get. Ryan in the 2nd round. It does not matter how he got there, but he is there.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
11:00 pm
Good night guys, I’m going to go count CHOKEs playoff wins – it will only take a second
Night losers
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
11:01 pm
Hope the Falcons can make it to Flowery Branch tomorrow.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:01 pm
Yep, a pot smoking anti religion person went on a shooting spree in Arizona, sounds like a true liberal to me.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:02 pm
So I put you to bed, once we discuss the biggest choke job today (Vicks pick), Choke goes to bed. Classic.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
11:03 pm
Falcons don’t lay eggs in the winter. Falcon Mating takes place in the spring. I love the pair nesting on the Sun Trust building. They had 2 babies last spring. I guess Eagles lay eggs in the winter. Well, 1 eagle for sure lays eggs.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
January 9th, 2011
11:03 pm
All of the media darlings (Colts, Eagles, Saints) LOSS THIS WEEKEND!!!! WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND IT WAS!!! GO FALCONS!!!!!
Dirty Birds
January 9th, 2011
11:04 pm
Falcons fan and Vick supporter here. Yes you will see me at the Dome Sat nite with my black #7 Vick jersey cheering for the Dirty Birds!!
Great year Vick, good luck next year…. but it’s time to cheer for my Birds now.
LOL at the AINTS
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:05 pm
Who will go down as the biggest choker in playoff history in 2010? Well, Vick tossed a horrible pic in the END ZONE with the game on the line. LOL. I mean, you can’t make it up. Karma is great.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
11:05 pm
sick and tired.
amen brother.
Bob J in Green Bay
January 9th, 2011
11:07 pm
Our Packers have 15 players on injured reserve. We have to hold our breath here every game hoping the backups can step up. Yes, the Packers were a Super Bowl favorite before the injury plague struck. Now, the sports analysts see them as a juggernaut. I think, as with any sport, emotions are half of what is needed to win. I suspect the analysts say what they say because the Packers are playing with a lot of emotion. Packers barely beating the Bears? Emotions rule games between the Packers and the Bears. The two are the oldest rivalry in the NFL and to say we despise each other is an understatement! I have to say, having three rescue dogs myself, to see us beat the Eagles couldn’t have made me happier. The Packers and the Falcons will be a great match up. Win or lose, to see the Packers advance as far as they have given their injuries, I’ll be happy. In the end, the eye of the tiger will win!
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:07 pm
I really like that blitz read by Vick on that 2 pts conversion. LOL. CHOOOOOOOKKKKKEEEEEE.
maddawg
January 9th, 2011
11:09 pm
Choke,
aren’t you the same guy that said when Ryan was drafted that Author Blank betrayed vick? Vick himself is on record saying that AB did more for him than anyone ever and treated him like a son and he lied to him and did him wrong. Wasn’t it also AB who led the charge to give MV a 2nd chance??? It’s time now for you to admit that your comments are all about Vick and not anything else??? He brought all his problems on his self (by his own admission). Let go of your hate dude!!! if Joe Flacco was on the Falcons and Matt Ryan was on the Ravens you would be calling Ryan great and refeering to the former as Joe “Choke” Flacco. If it were Aaron Rogers that replaced Vick he would be Aaron “Choke” Rogers according to you.
GET OVER IT YOU RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frozen Rope
January 9th, 2011
11:09 pm
Thats funny,, Matt “Choke” Ryan calling somebody a loser,, ,,,
.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:10 pm
I mean, you think Reid is on the phone trying to get McNabb back? At least he won in the playoffs for them.
The Emperor's New Clothes
January 9th, 2011
11:13 pm
Good night, CHOKE! Sweet dreams (she’ll be dreaming of Vick’s abs and pecs). Meanwhile, we true fans — that is, fans of a TEAM, not just a woman with a crush on a man — can stay up late and celebrate. Vick will NOT return to Atlanta for his “redemption” (sorry, FOX Sports). The Katrina Darlings will NOT return to Atlanta (sorry, ESPN). Now we can talk about FOOTBALL. Bring on Green Bay, then Chicago, and then we’re on to Dallas to square off with the Patriots. This is OUR year, Falcons fans. Rise up!
Dirty Birds
January 9th, 2011
11:21 pm
Hey Choke, I’m that “thug” that u see at Falcons games with the Vick jersey on….hoping someone like you say the same thing to my face that you say on these blogs…..coward!!!
Chop It Up All-Star
January 9th, 2011
11:24 pm
Green Bay will be a tough team, but when the playoffs begin there were only two teams that really scared me when thinking about an opponent for the Falcons, and they were the Saints and Eagles. With both teams now out, it certainly is no cake walk, but the Falcons match up pretty well against the Packers, Bears and Seahawks. I like the home team’s chances. Saturday can’t get here fast enough!!
RA
January 9th, 2011
11:28 pm
Najeh, love those Hawks posts by the way. Like I said, Green bay is a good team, and I’m not taking anything away from them, but you have to take the New Orleans game and fit it into an applicable context. You’ve got a team whose defense was embarassed a week before. You’ve also got a defending world champion with a lot of pride who’d been beaten by this team in their house earlier this season. Lastly, they were still playing for the number one seed. They played that game like a champion with his back against the wall, but at no time did I ever get the feeling that they were dominating Atlanta. In fact, that game was Atlanta’s for the taking from the time they stepped on the field to the time they punted on their last possession fo the 4rth quarter. Granted, a lot of people saw that game and saw exactly what they wanted to see, but the truth of the matter is that you had to great teams going at each other and somebody was going to have to lose. And don’t think that New Orleans came out of that game unscathed. It’s no accident that they lost to Tampa and Seattle, two inferior teams, two weeks in a row after beating the Falcons. That’s the thing about the Falcons, even if you beat them, they’re going to leave you so busted up that you’re not going to be good for too much else thereafter.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:30 pm
Nothing funnier that Vick on the 2pts conversion. I mean, when you bring the house, an NFL QB makes the hot read. Vick dances like he is playing kill the man with the ball, which, buy the way, is exactly what happened. Then to cap it off, he rushes a play and tosses a pick in the end zone to end the game. I mean, CHOKE is not a strong enough word to describe what happened.
UGABugKiller
January 9th, 2011
11:30 pm
Fact is, Dirty Birds, REAL Falcons fans don’t worship the DogKilla or wear his gear.
He f—ed the team over. He f—ed his teammates over. He f—ed his coaches over. He REALLY f—ed his owner over.
And something YOU PEOPLE can’t understand because of your ignorance, he f—ed YOU the fans over.
He never gave this team, his teammates, his coaches, his owner, or his fans anywhere close to the kind of effort Matt Ryan has, or Tom Brady does the Patriots, or Brees does the Saints.
He was a lazy-a$$ mofo who was the last person in and the first person out.
And STILL, you ignorant people STILL worship him. And it’s sick. There’s a psychological term for people like you:
Battered wide syndrome. The dude treated his job like a joke, he treated fans like s–t, flipping us off when we dared to tell him how we felt… and yet, there are still people like YOU who worship his every move.
You people are the real sick ones.
Get the f–k over it. The DogKilla isn’t a Falcon. He f—ed the Falcons over in the absolute worst ways possible.
This needs to be settled NOW.
You CANNOT be a TRUE Falcons fan and be a DogKilla Lover.
Can’t do it. It is either, or. That is the only way. Either you’re a Falcons fan, or you’re an ignorant DogKilla Lover.
That is the line. Pick a side. If you pick the DogKilla, you are NOT a Falcons fan.
Mike "Choke" Vick aka Mr Charlie
January 9th, 2011
11:32 pm
The Sea Hawks took it to the Aints, they played harder, faster, and wanted it more. It was that simple.
Ronster9
January 9th, 2011
11:34 pm
“But the biggest difference of late is that the secondary no longer resembles scattering ants.” Great piece of writing, great line.
Packers are a good team, but they have a lot stacked up against them: short week, tough win, on the road again. Last time, they played the Falcons close. This time, it won’t be as close. Birds win by 10.
PMC
January 9th, 2011
11:34 pm
I liked this match up a lot better when Starks was on the PUP list…
Chea
January 9th, 2011
11:34 pm
Snowing pretty hard, reminds me of the weather during the first loss Green Bay ever suffered at home in the playoffs.
Wonder who beat em…
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
11:35 pm
I bet Brees is drinking a lot of Vick’s Nyquil. I just love that commercial with him sleeping. Well after this weekends games. I wonder if Vick is smoking some good stuff in a Hurricane Brees Bo.g? I know I spelled it using Drew Brees’ name spelling, but it followes the both using something with the others name in it to forget the last games.
Are u Serious
January 9th, 2011
11:35 pm
The Falcons are hosting a playoff game and all you clowns can talk about is Vick? It’s time to act like “you been there”. Focus on supporting the Falcons as they make their run forget Vick and the Saints. Go Falcons……….
ijonathan
January 9th, 2011
11:38 pm
Don’t worry folks, only a few days left until CHOKE is gone (that is, if he lives up to his pledge). Just another reason to cheer hard for the Dirty Birds on Saturday.
tick, tock CHOKE…tick tock
==============
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 26th, 2010
6:52 pm
“Quiet The Critics”
Sorry Jeff – I’m here for an eternity
The day CHOKE…….
- Wins a playoff game
- Goes to the championship game
- Goes to the pro bowl as a non-alternate
All in the same season, if he does that, which I know he will NEVER do, I will disappear from these blogs F-O-R-E-V-E-R.
I guess you guys will be seeing me forever
clay
January 9th, 2011
11:38 pm
espn will still favor the packers to beat us next week. they hate the falcons and it pisses me off.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
11:40 pm
UGAbugkiller
We can agree on 1 team. We will rarely find common ground over Tech and UGA, but what you posted on MV7 and the people that still like him in Atlanta is so freaking true.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
11:45 pm
clay
remember it is always better to be pissed off than pissed on. Unless you are into that sort of thing. Not that I am judging mind you. LOL
Dirty Birds
January 9th, 2011
11:46 pm
UGABugKiller , you can’t tell me what type of fan to be. You also don’t have the authority to dictate who’s a Falcon fan and who’s not.
“REAL Falcon fan”? I guess you get to define that as well.
I’ve been a Falcons fan since my childhood…..and yes I’m a REAL GA native…not a transplant.
So there you have it…..Yes I’m a Falcon fan and a Vick supporter. I don’t care how many dogs he killed. We eat animals everyday…that’s the worst form or torture… so stop with the BS
See you at the game with my #7 jersey cheering for the Dirty Birds
You sir…..GET OVER THAT!!!
Falcon/Vick fans are here to stay
ijonathan
January 9th, 2011
11:47 pm
Dirty Birds…just curious…who are your favorite current Falcons, and why? Or, which Falcons do you think are most responsible for their great season?
thanks
Chea
January 9th, 2011
11:56 pm
“he f—ed YOU the fans over”
A lot of people became fans because of him. The Falcons were constantly blacked out, incredibly not able to sell out a game against the defending champion Rams when they visited the Dome back in 2000. With Vick came a deep waiting list for Falcons season tickets, exciting playoff victories, and the fundamental relevancy an organization needs to have “true fans.”
Some of us weren’t surprised by what MV7 did this season. We won’t be surprised when he hoists that Lombardi trophy either.
UGABugKiller
January 9th, 2011
11:56 pm
Eating animals are the worst form of torture? REALLY?
It’s amazing how battered wife syndrome has left you without the ability for rational or logical thought, Dirty DogKilla Lover.
Have you read any of the documents dealing with the DogKilla’s case? Because I have.
The DogKilla took his family dog, a cocker spaniel his kids played with and loved, an animal who loved HIM and his family unconditionally, because that’s what dogs do… he took this poor animal and THREW IT INTO THE PIT to be used as a training dog for one of his pit bulls.
And do you know you know what the DogKilla did, while his children’s cocker spaniel was torn to shreds?
He laughed. He laughed with Q and the rest of his thugs. He laughed and got a “high” from the death of his family dog at the hands of one of his trained killing dogs.
And YOU want to compare eating a hamburger to THAT???
You not only aren’t a true Falcons fan, you’re not even a rational or empathetic human being.
You’re just as sick as the DogKilla, ready to excuse anything because of how much you’re in love with him.
You’re an effing battered wife.
ijonathan
January 9th, 2011
11:57 pm
Chea, you are a little delusional. 50/50 Vick won’t be back with the Eagles next year.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
11:58 pm
Dirty Birds
You can be any type of Falcon fan you want to be. Just admit you are a fan of VICK because of his race not any perceived talent. I guess you would go to a UGA football game in Athens and wear a Gators (now maybe Auburn) Jersey and think the DAWG fans will think it is ok because you are cheering for their team. MV7 ain’t like Farve, where you can cheer for him in other cities wearing other teams #4 jersey’s. VICK sh.t all over ATLANTA. He is still a POS. I would gladly let him play with my AKITA for a little while.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
12:00 am
@RA @11:28: I don’t disagree with any of that. Just saying that was probably the national media’s line of thinking. They hyped up the Falcons-Saints game big time, and I got the feeling listening to them all that week that they were going to use that as a measuring stick for the Falcons.
Playoffs are a whole different ballgame, though. I’m pretty convinced that the winner of Falcons-Packers will go to the Super Bowl.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 10th, 2011
12:02 am
“Can’t do it. It is either, or. That is the only way. Either you’re a Falcons fan, or you’re an ignorant DogKilla Lover.”
Who the f-ck are you to make this decision?
Far_East
January 10th, 2011
12:03 am
First off, I’m glad Vick was able to come back and play again in the NFL – I think everyone deserves a second chance. Having said that, however, I think Vick’s 2010 season is a microcosm of his entire career. He was electrifying when he made a splash in the NFL as teams were not prepared to defend him – just like his first 6 games or so this year. Then slowly teams were able to figure him out and he started to be sloppy and turnover prone (fumbles, INTs) – just like the last few games of 2010. All said, Vick is a flash in the pan and he has flashed already.
Now it’s time for the Falcons to build a reputation as one of the more relevant teams in the NFL. 3 consecutive winning seasons and seeded #1 in the NFC I think qualifies as a good indicator that they are well on their way. GO FALCONS!!!!! Beat Green Bay!