Poll time: How should we define success for Falcons?

Brian VanGorder and Mike Smith have a lot to get figured out before playoffs. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

Brian VanGorder and Mike Smith have a lot to fix before playoffs. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

(Updated)

The Falcons tell us how that just making the playoffs isn’t good enough any more. So you wonder why they played one of their worst games ever under coach Mike Smith — Monday’s 45-16 loss at New Orleans — the night after they had clinched a postseason berth?

But let’s move on. The Falcons play their final regular season game against Tampa Bay Sunday. The game may or may not their impact playoff seeding and match-up. Nobody’s expecting an overly festive atmosphere in the Georgia Dome for the season’s final home game. (The only way the Falcons could host another game would be as a No. 5 seed if they faced No. 6 Detroit for the NFC championship. Not likely.)

What qualifies as success?

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For all of the regular season success under Smith, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and quarterback Matt Ryan, the team has whiffed in the postseason. They’re 42-21 in four regular seasons, but 0-2 so far in the postseason.

So what qualifies as success this season? Here are the choices:

Achievement: Making the playoffs. Breakdown: The Falcons are there for the third time in  four years, which is unprecedented in franchise history. But the bar was supposed to be raised. Conclusion: Not good enough.

Achievement: Win one game: Breakdown: This would be an improvement over the last two years. It would mean the Falcons had beaten New Orleans, New York, Dallas or San Francisco. There are varying degrees of difficulty in those games. But what should be kept in mind is: What was the expectation level before the season? Conclusion: Better, but still not good enough.

Achievement: Win two games: Breakdown: This could be as difficult as beating the NFC’s two best teams, New Orleans and Green Bay, on the road. The easier end of the spectrum would be finishing as a No. 5 seed and Detroit upsetting New Orleans, which would mean the Falcons would need to only defeat the NFC East champion (New York or Dallas) and San Francisco. Still, it would be impressive. Conclusion: Winning two road playoff games, regardless of the opponents, would qualify as success.

Achievement: Get to the Super Bowl: Breakdown: For this to happen, the Falcons would need to be far more physical and consistent than they’ve been this season. There has been no indication that is going to happen, but we’ve seen strange postseason developments before. Conclusion: Definitely something worth celebrating.

Achievement: Win the Super Bowl: Breakdown: Honestly, if the Falcons can winning three NFC road playoff games, beating New England, Pittsburgh or any AFC opponent on a neutral field wouldn’t seem as daunting. Conclusion: Duh.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours? What do you believe qualifies as a successful season?

The poll is up and the floor is yours.

By Jeff Schultz

Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).

418 comments Add your comment

johnv

December 28th, 2011
10:28 am

Honestly at this point if they one a game in the playoffs I would be happy. I don’t know that they’re consistent enough to make a run through the playoffs but who knows. If we won a playoff game and didn’t get embarrassed in the second I would be ok with that.

JP

December 28th, 2011
10:36 am

If they can slide into the 5th seed then they could win two games. But playing as the 6th seed could mean an early exit. But hey, stranger things have happened… Ask last year’s Seahawks.

Goosedog

December 28th, 2011
10:36 am

I agree, winning one playoff game would be a success. But the way they looked against the saints. I hope we don’t get embarrassed again in the first round. As a season ticket holder, I have better things to do with my money.

dougmo2

December 28th, 2011
10:39 am

Wait a minute, the Falcons are in the playoffs? Do they know this yet?

michael

December 28th, 2011
10:40 am

Not going to win one playoff game with that soft zone defense we play. No pass rush + that weak zone defense = no playoff wins

Time to watch the Hawks do work tonight

Die Hard Falcon

December 28th, 2011
10:40 am

Making the playoffs should be a give-in for this team at this point. I say any victory in the playoffs is a step in the right direction, although anything more would be a sweet bonus. I cannot think of a more rewarding season than to beat the Aints in NO, then the pack at Lambeau en route to our first SB over Dimitroff’s old organization. I would be satisfied w/ putting to rest all the naysayers who say the MR2 cannot win a playoff game. Go Falcons and go Matty Ice!

Bill

December 28th, 2011
10:42 am

They need to win more than one game in play-off to be a success..one and out like Braves sucks!
Falcon fans expect more than Braves fans…get it done Falcons and good luck…..

5150 UOAD

December 28th, 2011
10:46 am

How many of you Falcon fans also UGA Dawg Fans?

How This

December 28th, 2011
10:47 am

How about showing up for the rest of the games and putting forth an effort that the Falcons fans can be proud of.
That last performance was embarrasing.

50 years of failure

December 28th, 2011
10:49 am

The Falcons showed Monday what a 2nd rate organization they are-and will always be. Success for the Falcons would be not wetting themselves on the big stage. This being the Falcons though, humiliation, underachievement and embarrassment are part of their DNA.

Through the decades of losing the Falcons could alway count on the Saints being worse than they were. In the last 4 years, they have been lapped by the Saints. They can’t even compete with them any longer. The loss on Monday proved once and for all that it will never happen for the Falcons.

Disbanding the franchise would qualify as success for the city and fans. No more misery inflicted from this inept organization.

falconfiend

December 28th, 2011
10:49 am

Anytime you make the playoffs its a success. Now you can go for the superbowl and play to be one of the best sports team in the World and make history.

david

December 28th, 2011
10:52 am

hard to say after that “game’ Monday night. If we can win one road game Ill be happy. Pray to the heavens its not in NO–10-2 against us last 12. they would kill us again. We can handle Detroit or the Gmen/Cowgirls.

1eyedJack

December 28th, 2011
10:52 am

They need to win a playoff game. Something they have failed to do under this regime (though better than the days of the Clampetts)

Green Bay proved last year you can win the Super Bowl with a porous defense, but you got to play as a team and have a lights-out QB. I don’t believe Ryan is at that level. He’ll need more help than a Rogers or Brady. Everyone around him will have to elevate their game.

The Falcons need a left tackle…among other things.

JoeFan

December 28th, 2011
10:54 am

To be honest going 9-7 was all I expected of the Falcons in 2011. The schedule was not favorable and the team is still missing pieces on both sides of the ball.Finishing 10-6 and in the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years makes 2011 a good season. For the future, Ryan needs to step up to super star level and the team needs to make astute moves in the draft and in free agency to reach the elite level. Lets hope the foundation is being layed for the Falcons to attain and maintain a championship level.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
10:55 am

Winning in the playoffs is the only success.

Just getting there and choking is for Atlanta fans because they are not ambitious.

All they care about is having a qb that looks like them.

Even if he SUCKSSS :)

falconfiend

December 28th, 2011
10:55 am

i can tell you one thing. Coach Smith has the falcons on the right track. 3x in the playoffs of his 4 yrs. in atl. no other Coach or falcons team has done that. my guess is its only going to get better because the falcons have a excellent front office and scout teams that produce in the off season. Going for another chance to win the superbowl. THE HUNT IS ON.

1eyedJack

December 28th, 2011
11:01 am

“All they care about is having a qb that looks like them.”

Where are we supposed to get a QB who is white on one side and brown on the other? Star Trek?

Double Zero Eight

December 28th, 2011
11:01 am

We should stay the course and refuse to accept
mediocrity. Most of us said lat year on various blogs
that a playoff win was a true gauge for taking the
next step. If the Falcons fail to win a playoff game
regardless of the opponent, this year will be a “bust”.

PMc

December 28th, 2011
11:01 am

Playoff win or blowout coordinators. Talent is still a problem but 3 trips with 0 wins would dictate change is vital.

Riser Upper

December 28th, 2011
11:04 am

Winning the Super Bowl is the only measure of success. Winning isn’t everything, it is the only thing (gee, sounds familiar…I wonder who said that). Do you think the great Lombardi would consider anything other than winning a championship a successful season? Why should fans of any team expect anything less? Winning the Super Bowl should be the goal of every team, every executive, every coach, every player (of course I know it isn’t, but it should be). Anything less cannot be acceptable.

TheWad

December 28th, 2011
11:04 am

This team better hope to come out of the playoff game with all thjeir teeth because the way they play aginst good teams they are most liable to get smacked in the mouth again. The O line is terribly ineeficient, the d line is non existent, the RB are totally subpar, and the coaches are always chasing the opposing coaches adjustments. The personell on offense can`t execute the running game for the whole game against playoff caliber D`s. The DB`s can`t or won`t play smash mouth bump and run from the line and therefore have no ability to beat Packers or Saints. Maybe next year when we get an NFL running back who can get to the hole before it disappears or around the tackles before the middle guard cuts him off. Ever notice the Falcons look good the first two O series running the ball and then get shut down for the rest of the game? Oline and RB have to be addressed this off season.

Sid

December 28th, 2011
11:04 am

Got to have wins in the playoff column. No other way to get to the big dance.

Cohutta Dawgman

December 28th, 2011
11:05 am

The Falcons have been on a downward cycle ever since they got motor-boated by the Packers in the playoff’s last year. I don’t know what the answer is except palying better.

Riser Upper

December 28th, 2011
11:06 am

I wish I looked like MR2. I’d have plenty of dates.

Say It Aint So

December 28th, 2011
11:06 am

First the Bucs won a Super Bowl, then New Orleans. The door is closing quickly, Carolina may be closer to winning a championship than we are. Extremely hard to be a sports fan in Atlanta. Hope we don’t get smashed again. Mike Smith is too damn nice. We need to be hated like all the successful teams are.

ueeediot

December 28th, 2011
11:06 am

Look, the Falcons are clinched and locked into the playoffs. If GB beats DET and ATL beats TB then you are the 5 seed. Either of those games goes the other way and I think you are the 6 seed. But even Frank Wren couldnt screw up the Falcons being in the playoffs – this year.

Success? For the 2011 team, winning one game this year in the playoffs is a wild success. Two is playing out of your skulls with the competition this year.

For the Franchise the only success will be if the ownership and HC have the stones to make the necessary changes at OC and bring some discipline to this obviously poorly coached team. The talent is there, the coaching is not.
Do you really believe that this OC has enough stones to put together a gameplan to control the ball from the Aints? Wont matter anyway. Anything positive you do in the SuperBowel (a.k.a. the FEMA SuperDome) will immediately be negated by the officials.
Mike Mularkey did nothing for the Bills and nothing for the Falcons.

50 years doesnt have a days worth of football knowledge. Must be an Aints fan.

To what "success"...

December 28th, 2011
11:10 am

…do you refer? I thought success in sports was when you won something that counted…

Leeman B

December 28th, 2011
11:14 am

winning a playoff game.

for a team that started as super bowl hopefuls and has gotten whacked by every avg/above avg team, they must at least win 1 playoff game.

it’d be nice to win a sb, but the saint/packer games taught us that we simply do not belong amongst the elite.

ueeediot

December 28th, 2011
11:14 am

@ The Wad,
The Falcons script their first 15 plays during the week. Then the gameplan is handed over to the OC Mularkey to call plays unless they are in no huddle which is where Ryan calls the plays.
Notice the efficiency when the Falcons are in no huddle and Ryan is calling plays vs when it is obvious that Mularkey is calling plays.

The coaching staff has been called out on NFL Network several times this year for not using all the weapons. Even Roddy White has mentioned that sometimes the coaching staff tells you that you are just blocking this week. what a joke. Mularkey wont change anything. The offense in week 16 is as vanilla and predictable as it was in week 1.
How many times do you see a WR in this offense catch a ball while actually moving down field? How many times on 3rd and 10+ have you seen receivers run (all of them) less than 10 yds.
Mularkey is still relying on Turner who is obviously slowed down and has no legs under him. But, would he try Antone Smith #35 or put in more of #44 or try throwing the ball to #22 more? Nope. #33 up the middle on 1st down, again its 2nd and 8.

The talent to win is here. They are doing very well to overcome the poor performance of the coaching staff.

Havent even gotten to our emotional HC… but if he shows the stones to make the changes this offseason, I, for one, will stick with him another season. But he better get his clock management skills in order.

falconfiend

December 28th, 2011
11:15 am

Football fans really dont know how hard it is to win a superbowl in the NFL- THE MOST PYSICAL SPORT ON THE EARTH. New England went undefeated and lost the superbowl. Dallas Cowboys have not been to a superbowl in 16yrs, and had many coaching changes everywhere the, buffalo bills went to four straight superbowls and have not won one yet. THE HUNT IS ON.

"Choke" Is A Bigot

December 28th, 2011
11:16 am

Hey “Choke”, most of the fans I sit with at the Dome are black…they support Matt Ryan and some even have “2″ Jerseys…whatcha say to that. Time for you to leave these boards and sport that green #7 jersey and leave us alone.

I'm with ATL teams (Always)

December 28th, 2011
11:17 am

Winning one road game – Acceptable
Winning Two road games – Better
Winning NFC – Success
Winning Super Bowl – Am I dreaming???????????????

Coach Ralph Fontaine

December 28th, 2011
11:18 am

After all the horrid yrs of the Smiths running the show, a winning season and the playoffs are still great. That being said, they are missing a piece. That piece is a LEADER. The team does not have that Alpha male that keeps everyone in line. Look at Indy w/o their Alpha dog. Look at the winning teams/usual playoff contenders: Pats-Brady, Ravens-Lewis, Pitt-Big Ben, Saints-Brees/Vilma, Bears-Urlacher. All great teams have that player that the others do not want to disappoint either by respect or fear. The Falcons need to find that leader on the field. I think Ryan is great but maybe too young to get everyones attention. You would think Gonzalez or Abraham would be the one’s but it does not appear so. They are impressed with them but dont seem to follow. Plus Abe does get hurt and misses games which he cant lead if on the sidelines. We need an Alpha Dog to get over the hump because we have the talent, just not sure about the heart.

ueeediot

December 28th, 2011
11:20 am

Julio Jones is supposed to be “that guy”

Rodster

December 28th, 2011
11:21 am

Success is sustained winning. The Falcons have made several incremental steps toward that end and do show progress. They need to keep getting to the playoffs and taking their shot in the mini season that really matters. I don’t think they are there yet, but I do give them credit for sustained improvement over the last three years. Now they are poised (hopefully) to take the next step. One would think with the good players we have on offense that our point production would be better. The offense seems to work better when Ryan calls the plays rather than the OC. Just sayin’. But if you think coaching doesn’t matter, look at Alex Smith and SF this year.

Brandon

December 28th, 2011
11:22 am

Falcons are a “B” team, so making the playoffs with this roster is a success to some degree. 1 playoff win would make this season a definite success, but I don’t see that happening. The trade for Julio Jones was just the latest poor trade/offseason acquisition for the Bird Brains–”Pedestrian” Price, the stellar Ravens acquisition from a few yrs back, and now the Jones deal. After all, if you buy into Roddy White as a #1 WR, then you have to acknowledge that the Falcons gave up 5 picks including 2012’s #1 for a #2 WR. Not too bright. Basically, they need a DE, a DT, a #1 CB (not Robinson, another free agent miss) and on OLB or 2, so 5 pieces on defense alone. They are what they are–a 9-7/10-6 one and done playoff team. Ryan is solid, not great, but he can win an SB–he just need an “A-” or better D. He isn’t Brady, Brees or Rodgers, but he is still better than 1/2 of the starting NFL QB’s.

buckblue

December 28th, 2011
11:23 am

Define success…by getting beat by only 2 touchdowns when the birds travel back to the Superdome to get spanked by the Saints…..again.

Angelo

December 28th, 2011
11:25 am

If this is any consolation to the Falcons fans the 2008 Cardnals lost in week 16 to New England patriots 47-7 and the cardnals won the super bowl that year.

Rodster

December 28th, 2011
11:29 am

I think you mean the Cardinals ‘almost’ won the superbowl.

falconfiend

December 28th, 2011
11:30 am

FALCON FANS HAVE TO MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF THESE FALCONS FROM 2008. PLEASE DONT GO BACK 50 YEARS, THAT DOES NO ONE ANY GOOD. THE VICK ERA IS OVER. DAN REEVES AND THE 98 FALCONS ERA IS OVER. BILLY WHITE SHOES, BARTKOWSKI, WILLIAM ANDREWS, DIEON SANDERS AND THAT JERRY GLANVILLE ERA IS OVER. YOU HAVE TO MEASURE THE SUCEESS OF THIS TEAM FROM COACH SMITH ERA FROM 08 AND AFTER HIS ERA IS OVER THEN YOU CAN MEASURE SUCCESS. SUCCESS IS GETTING WHAT YOU WANT. THE HUNT IS ON.

Falcons_in_the_playoff

December 28th, 2011
11:32 am

How do you stop Eli or Romo since our pass rush is null. I’d be shocked if we won a playoff game.. but as a Fan, I’d always cheer no matter what is the outcome..

Scoots

December 28th, 2011
11:32 am

1 or 2 playoff wins should be considered a success this year, because the Falcons are not an elite team this year. Of our 9 wins, only 2 of those wins came against winning-record teams (Detroit, Tennessee). Something was missing this year – not sure what it was – the nasty attitude of Harvey Dahl perhaps?

Anyway, I’m happy that Mike Smith, Dimitroff, and co. have provided a winning tradition for the Falcons – 4 strait winning seasons, when we previously never had two in a row. They have laid the ground work for a successful franchise, and we’ve got all the offensive toys any team could possibly ask for. We just need some OL and DL upgrades, or perhaps some coordinator changes to get us over the hump.

It’s frustrating to have to say ‘there’s always next year’, especially after winning 13 last year- but I just don’t honestly think this is the year unless everything snaps into place over the next couple weeks.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
11:37 am

Here we go again with the “what if” crap. They lose and are big failures. END OF STORY…..

[...] EARLIER: Poll: How should we define success for Falcons? [...]

Keith

December 28th, 2011
11:39 am

Jeff, I know Ray Edwards was upset with Fans earlier this week for giving the team a hard time, but really why? I love this team I even have built a “Falcons Cave” in my Garage but what do they want from the Fans? Blind support? At the start of this season we (the Fans) thought they (the Falcons) were 1 step from a Superbowl, yet all season long they have had a Jekyl and Hyde persona. they started out a team we did not know against the Bears, great against the Eagles looked sluggish against the BUC’s almost let the Seahawks come back ( I was at that game). You just could not get a handle on which team was going to show up. then they seemed to hit they’re stride when they got the wake up call in Texas, beating a fair Panthers team and a horrible Jags. THis team had a perfect chance to make a hell of a statement on MNF they where in the Playoff (thanks GB, UH I hate saying that) they had no pressure on them, They should have been fired up to send a message to N.O. and let the football world know they had arrived. Instead they went back to the same old thing settling for a FG on the 1st drive, and then something completely different they could not stop the run! the Falcons, HAD the #2 run defense in the league and they could not stop Ivory, Thomas not even Brees, come on guys, just admit you took the night off and get busy show us you deserve our support instead of whinning about Brees getting his record, do something about it beat the snot out of TB and then get ready for your 1st of 4 playoff games you are better than you have been playing now show it!

Football Genius

December 28th, 2011
11:39 am

The Falcons have several problems, and all need to be addressed if they ever want to reach the next level like the Packers, Patriots, Saints, Steelers etc…

1. Get someone on defense that scares the opponent’s offense. Right now they have no plyamakers/game changers on defense and it shows. Abraham is old and washed up……need to cut him loose.

2. Stop being predictable on offense and get more creative

3. Get a RB with some speed

4.. Secondary must be upgraded or this is what will happen every year.

Sonny Clusters

December 28th, 2011
11:40 am

We would take Arthur Blank to the Dairy Queen and buy him anything he wants if the Falcons can win a game in the playoffs. Heck, we’ll take you, too, Jeff. We was noticing the other night that #33 goes down a lot easier this year and he seems to start slow and dance a little like Bubba Bean used to.

Chop-It-Up All-Star

December 28th, 2011
11:41 am

The Falcons imply that anything less than a Super Bowl appearance is a failure; so I agree, anything less than that is a disappointing season.

Sonny Clusters

December 28th, 2011
11:45 am

We was thinking that “Rising Up” would mean winning some games in the playoffs. Sometimes biscuits don’t rise up and sometimes football teams don’t either.

You know...

December 28th, 2011
11:47 am

I got ripped for a vent two weeks ago pointing out the Hawks are the most successful franchise in Atlanta based on their recent playoff series wins. It was stated that the only true measure of success is a championship. Now Falcon fans are quantifying success by ONE playoff victory. I humbly accept Atlanta’s apology for this oversight.

Buzzman

December 28th, 2011
11:52 am

Not one to tell the Falcons they will win, they do not have the talent, if they play New Orleans again, they will lose again. They cannot match up to them. Our defense is terrible, we have no long ball threat,

Scoots

December 28th, 2011
11:52 am

You know…

You have a point, but I’d also argue that the Falcons are closer to being a Super Bowl caliber team than the Hawks are to playing in the Finals.

ICoachFootball

December 28th, 2011
11:53 am

@falconfiend – I admire your true “fanship” of the Falcons but as a coach let me point out a few differences between “Elite” teams and the Falcons.

1. Consistency on Defense – Elite teams’ defenses make the opposition get off the field on 3rd and long for the majority of a game..The Falcons allowed Brees and co. to convert on over 90% of their 3rd downs with nearly half of them over 10 yds. (Problem here is secondary and coverage)

2.Consistency on Offense – Elite teams’ offenses should be able to convert on 3rd down situations for the majority of a game. They should also be able to score TD’s vs. FG’s when they get in the red zone. The Falcons had 16 points…that’s not enough against Elite teams when your defense can’t stop anybody.(multitude of problems here from predictable offense to no deep threat which leads me to my next point

3.NODEAPTHREAT – why go and get Julio Jones if your QB can’t get him the ball past 20yds???? I know he’s supposed to be your guys saviour….but Matt Ryan has a WEAK ARM for a QB….He struggles to throw the deep ball…that’s why opposing defenses can play up on the offense becaue Matt Ryan can’t do much more past the 3 step drop….if you don’t believe me…check the Falcons stats for pass plays beyond 30 yds….THEIR RANKED CLOSE TO LAST. Elite teams don’t have this issue.

4. Offfensive Coordinator – this person on your staff needs to be a mastermind and must be able to adapt. Mularkey is neither…where are the slant routes? where are the screens? where is the play-action?? Falcons have the talent and the speed, but Mularkey doesn’t utilize them properly…

I”m sure someone will disagree with me…I’m more than willing to address it….

Vesaversa

December 28th, 2011
11:53 am

At this point Ryan have been a stater for four years now . Which is plenty of time for him to learn the system and become a elite QB in the league. At this point anything less than the NFC championship should be seen as a failure . Arthur Blank need a wake up call the most . He need to see his Falcons team return to Louisiana and play them Saints one more time . Maybe after they are embarrassed again Arthur Blank will start firing peoples before the empty seats in the Atlanta dome become a problem for his bottom line .

Roger in Canton

December 28th, 2011
11:55 am

How to measure: Mike Smith, BVG, and MM showing some killer instinct and playing with an urgency to win and take no prisioners. For some asinine reason, the old Southern Hospitality seems to rise above winning at all costs and leaves us wanting…see Bobby Cox. Taking a moto from some recent national event that proved historical…its time Atlanta (A. Blank)for “Hope and Change”…dare we? Falcons, you want respect, you want admiration, you want something, then by G * D, go and freeking take it…see the resurgence of SF and Detroit, they are taking what they want, not asking please!! Smith, BVG, MM…are you in? Are you man enough? Falcons can you show what you preach? D-block what say you, or are you guy’s all glimmer and hype? We will see.

trademark

December 28th, 2011
11:55 am

Postseason expectations aside, the goal should be to win at least one playoff game. Since everything else they do around here is painfully slow, it seems like a logical progression. OK, they’re in. Let’s see what, if anything, they can do with it. IMHO, if they lose in the first round, this is actually a regression from last year. Last year they had at least a division championship to go along with it. Next year it just gets harder. Carolina is getting better, in case anyone’s been watching. And you have to wonder if Tampa is going to continue to freefall like they have. With the talent on that team, one would tend to think no. And then there’s New Orleans, who have proved without a shadow of a doubt they are the best team in the division. And it doesn’t look like it’s going to change as long as that group of personnel stay in place. Of course, the only reversal of that appraisal comes if somehow the Falcons take New Orleans out of the playoffs. Only shot at playing king of the mountain there. One things for sure, if they play anywhere near how they “played” that game on Monday, that scenario is not going to happen. Like ever.

Scoots

December 28th, 2011
11:57 am

Roger in Canton – last time Mike Smith ‘went for it’ he got ripped for it. 4th and 1 in OT vs. the Saints

50 years of failure

December 28th, 2011
11:57 am

The Falcons have won 6 playoff games in 15 tries. They have a winning record against 5 of 31 teams. The just wasted 2 drafts on a wide receiver who can’t catch. Yeah, they are going places.

50 years of failure

December 28th, 2011
11:59 am

The Falcons are 104 games under .500. They’d have to go undefeated for 6 straight years to be .500.

50 years of failure

December 28th, 2011
12:02 pm

In their first and last game or 2011 they’ve been outscored 75-28. They have really improved. The current regime has them on the right track. Glory awaits!!

Roger in Canton

December 28th, 2011
12:04 pm

Scoots, appreciate your comment…But, I had no problem with the call, just the freaking execution…Turner into the back of the line, a real stunner and took everyone by suprise (not, lol). If you are going to do something Mike that a lot of us agree with, not questioning strategy, but we do questions the tactics. If you want to act like a man Mike, then think big, not like some school yard girl passing out your manners before slapping at some one. Hit em, don’t slap at them!!

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
12:05 pm

“Shortly after their stunning loss Monday night, some of the Falcons were calling for a rematch with the New Orleans Saints.”

Bet cha COACH CLEAN SHOT and FUTURE GOLF PRO MELT aren’t asking for a rematch cause these beat downs are not an “aberration” as Coach Smith in his coyness tried to convey post game interview…

LOOK, the Falcons are pretenders! When you go 2-8, last 10 games against the winners that proves it! You are what most think you are now..The masses in Atlanta, even the fanatics now know the truth. They were in denial but most have come around begrudgingly to see what this team represents! Garbage!
Melt is elite in your and his dreams…He aint the one GRASSHOPPER!
Melt is an ELITE QB from the 20 to the 20!!
A FG expert! 7 is always greater than 3 in this time line…….

Stick a fork in Abraham and Edwards. Line play was and is HORRIFIC on both sides!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUT Schemed, OUT Coached!! ET AL…..

Until Arthur cleans out Rich Mckay’s desk, expect more of the same……For years to come….

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SirReal

December 28th, 2011
12:06 pm

I agree with an earlier post about the team not having an alpha male on either side of the ball. Its because of the nice guy culture/image of this team. You cant expect to win playing with a mentality like the London Silly Nannies ( for you family guy fans, you know what Im talking about.lol)

SirReal

December 28th, 2011
12:07 pm

Whats up CGD….tell it like it is brotha. You said wait for it….and it came.smh

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
12:08 pm

Hey Chris Chandler go get warmed up so Sunday you can show the Fans how to go Deep with those patented 55 yard BOMBs into the endzone for 7!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melt needs some lessons……

True Falcon

December 28th, 2011
12:10 pm

As a Season ticket holder I define success as getting better each year, go further each year, always leaving your best effort on the field, and never being embarassed. The Falcons were embarassed by New Orleans! After lossing to them the way that we did earlier this year I would think that Mike Smith and the players would go into New Orleans with a something to prove. When this team falls behind by two score there are never any answers. Mike Smith = Jim Mora, Matt Ryan=Joey Harrington, Brian VanGorder=Gym Teacher

Roger in Canton

December 28th, 2011
12:10 pm

The Falcons are not Man Enough to play the likes of Gb and NO again…I doubt seriously they can beat the Lions again, let alone the Boys of the Niners…Are they serious when they muse for a rematch with the Saints? Really?? OMG, they have got to be STUPID and in denial of the arse kickin they received!!

Scoots

December 28th, 2011
12:11 pm

For those knocking Julio Jones, let’s put his season in a little perspective:

The 10th best rookie WR season in NFL history was Percy Harvin’s 2009 season: 60 receptions, 790 yards, 6 TDs.

Julio Jones has 50 receptions, 883 yards, and 6 TDs.

Extrapolated to a full 16-game season, that would come out to 67 receptions, 1177 yards, 8 TDs and one of the best rookie seasons of all time.

TheWad

December 28th, 2011
12:11 pm

ueeediot…..The bottom line is it doesn`t matter if Mularkey or Ryan is calling the plays, they are not getting results. The players are not producing on the Oline and RB positions. With no running game and leaky pass blocking there can be no consistency in the passing game.

The Dline is unable to get to any QB and therefore the DB`s look totally inept( with the exception of Robinson who IS totally inept). If the Falcons refuse to take a hint from KC and play every reciever from GB, NO, Ne one step off the line with their helmet barried in their face/chest everytime they come off the line then we have no chance of staying on the field with these playoff teams

rollo lawson

December 28th, 2011
12:14 pm

If Van Gorder and Mularkey don’t switch things up in the playoffs (crossing patterns for receivers, run Snelling and Rodgers more, more creative blitzing and man coverage) they should both be fired on the spot. You can’t tell me the 49ers have better overall talent on defense than we do. Look how they are balling.

sad fan

December 28th, 2011
12:16 pm

Why don’t someone ask Mike Smith tough questions during his interviews. Like why in the Fxxx did they feel the need to sign Ray Edwards. This guy is a none performer, he arrived in New Orleans on Monday with a ski mask on, taking the fans money.

reebok

December 28th, 2011
12:18 pm

The Falcons are not a good team. Much like the local college teams, they beat the bad teams and get thumped by the good ones. I expect them to get beaten soundly by whoever they play in the first round. And then the Falcons’ brain trust can again ignore the crappy defense by drafting a running back #1 or something equally inane.

TheWad

December 28th, 2011
12:18 pm

ueeediot…..agreed Ryan does not have an arm in the manner of Cutler, Rivers, Brees, Rodgers, Brady. But neither does Alex Smith of the 11-3 SF 49ers. The problem is at the line on both sides of the ball. The Falcons don`t have any consistency in line play.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
12:18 pm

Loserville=ATL

"Chef" Tim Dix

December 28th, 2011
12:18 pm

I always chuckle at pro team sports players and coaches (or owners) saying things like get to the post season, or we’ve got bigger goals…

Winning the last game played is the only goal, anything less is a disapointment.

rollo lawson

December 28th, 2011
12:18 pm

TheWad, you are 100% correct about our coverage. Why give the receivers a clear path off the line of scrimmage? Makes absolutely no sense to me whats so ever. But stupid BVG and Smith keep doing it with that soft zone coverage. It is the same sorry defense that got Donatell run out of here. We should have kept on Mike Zimmer. Also, why does Mularkey not give Rodgers and Snelling carries, when it is obvious tip toe Turner can not find a hole or refuses to bounce the play outside? This coaching staff should be fired for simply bbeing so stubborn and predictable.

Robert

December 28th, 2011
12:19 pm

I wish I could see some hard stats that showed what the numbers looked like in the no huddle and when out of the no huddle. That should be the most telling stat of all for coach smith to see.
As far as I’m concerned, BVG is as good as gone, Coach smith has got to be getting sick of 3rd and longs being completed….at what point do you say enough is enough and takeover 3rd down play calling

Reality

December 28th, 2011
12:19 pm

The Falcons have always been losers-now they like to run their mouths after they lose-despicable.
They want a re-match with the Saints? Seriously? They play scared and then talk tough after the game. Didn’t think this organization could be any more embarrassing.

Post game comments:
“didn’t see that coming”
” they ran up the score”
“we want a re-match”

What losers

TroupDawg

December 28th, 2011
12:20 pm

PLAYOFFS!…. PLAYOFFS! …. Talking PLAYOFFS!!?? I still can’t get over Monday Night. Was that supposed to be a pro game? Reminded me of the old Harlem Globetrotters ( Saints ) and that goof ball team (Falcons ) they always pounded in their exibition games. And the refs reminded me of those keystone refs with the trotters. Only thing missing was the bucket of water being thrown.

Maybe it was thrown in our face as Falcon fans believing this pack of “players” actually had heart.

BooBoo

December 28th, 2011
12:22 pm

Achievement: The Falcons made the playoffs with an easy schedule and a bad defense.

That is it. They were blown out against the Bears. Green Bay could have run up the score on them again, but chose not to. The Bucs beat the Falcons (nuff said). The Texans beat them with a rookie 3rd string QB and a defense that played rag-doll with Matt Ryan. There were times when the Eagles looked like they could have beaten the Falcons worse than the Saints did, but somehow they ended up losing to them. The Falcons squeaked by Carolina twice, Seattle, Tennessee, and Minnesota for wins. They only manhandled the Colts and the Jaguars, both of which are not in the playoffs. The only win against a playoff team was their victory over the Lions, but they let the Lions come back in that one, for another squeaker.

That all means the Falcons will not bring a miracle to the Atlanta fans. If they can be competitive in a playoff game it will be a plus. However, their defense is not playoff calibre. They will probably be lown out by the Saints again, and go home to count their millions of comfort dollars.

It all boils down to what does Atlanta want. Do they want a team that wins more than it loses in the regular season, taking advantage of the waekers sisters, while losing to the strong he-men teams, making the playoffs with 10 win seasons, but missing them with 9 wins? Or, does it want to see another “We feel the team has reached a plateau it cannot extend beyond” (Leeman Bennett firing) and change to another college rah-rah loser, or someone who lost in Miami or St. Louis, and end up with another decade of 9, 10, 11 loss seasons, trying to find the right mix to be competitive?

Mike Smith is as vanilla as a coach as there is. He knows winning comes from a successful running game and an accurate passing game, with a defense that eventually stops someone and holds them to field goals. He would not know an “on-side kick” or “fake punt” play if it came up and bit him in the keister. A “far out” play for him is to go for it on 4th and 1, at your own 30 yard line, in overtime. New Orleans did not even have a deep man on the kickoff, after the Falcons kicked a field goal to make it 31-16. They expected an onside kick that never came. They expected Mike smith to be a riverboat gambler, when all he knows is the “missionary positions of the NFL playbook. That means the Atlanta Falcons’ “Achievement” is respectability, but not flare, and certainly not a Pittsburg Steeler-type defense.

Robert

December 28th, 2011
12:22 pm

Matt Ryan has not been the problem of this team the last 3 games….he’s shown up, And he hit roddy for that nice long pass on Monday
As for the playoffs I don’t know who our best matchup is. Dallas is a passing team along with Demarcus ware, Eli would pick apart this secondary,

sad fan

December 28th, 2011
12:22 pm

If Koy B get of tv show with his wife maybe and get in the weight room maybe he can produce more than on sack a season. That guy looks really small for a D-Lineman.

12 men in the huddle

December 28th, 2011
12:22 pm

Frankly, when each season starts, every team has the goal of making it to the big dance…the playoffs! Once you make the playoffs, then your goal becomes getting a home game, then a bye week! Last year we not only made the playoffs, but got a home game AND a bye week, and then the Packers came to town and slapped 50 points on our heads! This years Falcons made the playoffs as a wild-card but certainly looks weaker than last years team that won the division. Looks like we are going back to NO and they say it’s extremely hard to beat a team 3 times in the same year. Personally, I think the Falcons could play NO 100 times in NO and not win one time! But stranger things have happened……remember the time the Falcons went to Minnesota as heavy underdogs and beat that Viking team to make the Super Bowl? Bottom line: I’m happy the Falcons made the playoffs again, even though an early exit is most likely.

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
12:23 pm

If I recall Coach Smith was the Defensive Coordinator for Jacksonville a few years ago when Brady put up 60 on them?

See a pattern? Hmmmmmmmmm…

Elivs the Falcon Fan

December 28th, 2011
12:24 pm

Success??? Forget winning a playoff game. Ain’t gonna happen. This team looks like they are already getting their bags packed for the off season. Here would be my definition of success: In the off season you build an offense around your talent rather than making your talent conform to your offense. Start with Ryan, get him to shed a few pounds and try some plyometrics to get a little more athletic in the pocket, hit the weights and gain some arm strength. Build your offense around he and Roddy and Julio and Tony G. Utilize Harry Douglas, Quizz, and PLEASE make Snelling the feature back. Turner just doesnt act like he cares anymore. Try some more 3 and 4 wide sets using Julio and Harry D on the outside to burn deep. NO gimmick plays, just set up the run off of the pass (unconventional). Defensivlely, well where do I start? BVG just doesnt have it. Get a big intimidating run stopper up front. Let Witherspoon and Lofton loose on pass plays. MAKE OUR SECONDARY PLAY COVER WHICH IS WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO!!! You dont have to get sacks, just make opposing qbs throw off balance or make them throw when they dont want to. We do not have a defensive player that other teams “scheme” against do we? Finally, get a kicker that can eliminate returns and FIRE WHOMEVER LET KOENEN AND DAHL GET AWAY!!

Robert

December 28th, 2011
12:25 pm

One last question…….. Have we heard a good and true reason for the holding in the end zone call, Was the refs answer legit, You are allowed to tackle abe on a screen play, when no screen was thrown and the qb scrambled…….WHAT?

Buzzer

December 28th, 2011
12:25 pm

Don’t forget what happened when we fired Leeman Bennett for not taking us to the next level.

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
12:27 pm

There’s nothing respectable to losing by 4 TD’s time and again….

There is a major disconnect……And it has not been fixed yet.. But Arthur said he would…Sit tight we will see soon…..

jerry

December 28th, 2011
12:28 pm

Consistently beating bad teams indicates they are not a bad team, consistently losing to good teams indicates they are not a good team. So their record indicates they are not a good team, which is not being successful.

1eyedJack

December 28th, 2011
12:29 pm

Let the Saints fold to someone else in the first round. The Falcons haven’t shown the ability to beat them.

Whopper Dawg

December 28th, 2011
12:32 pm

Out in the first round would lead to questions about the direction of the franchise, personnel, Ryan and can the TD/MS regime compete with the better teams in the NFL when it matters.

First round win will mitigate those worries and provide a positive springboard for next year. While not a roaring success, it would be night and day from another first round whipping.

Two wins and better would be cause and sign for belief of better days ahead.

DJ Sniper

December 28th, 2011
12:34 pm

I see somebody else has brought up Matt Ryan’s arm strength again. No, he doesn’t have a cannon, but his arm is strong enough to get the job done. Once he improves his accuracy, people won’t even care that his arm isn’t as strong as Rogers, Cutler, or Vick.

Like somebody else already said, it’s amazing how the announcers can see what we’ve been saying all season: The offense runs better when Ryan is in the no huddle, and the soft zone coverage is not the answer. Far too much predictibility and stubbornness from our coordinators.

Mark

December 28th, 2011
12:35 pm

Not going to happen – based on the last several weeks, we will only win in the playoffs if we play Carolina or Jax. Find an agressive defensive coach in the off-season and call Ralph Friedgen to light a fire under this unimaginative offense.

sad fan

December 28th, 2011
12:36 pm

Why can;t we the fans hold these guys accountable. It’s clear that they do not respect us the fans, because they continue to take our money and play the same way week after week. BVG has been with the falcons for 4 years and d has not made ay progress. Why? Didn’t we learn our lesson last year when we played Green Bay. The fxxxing zone does not work. I rather you get beat with a blitz and to get beat by the soft zone. At least you have a chance with blitzing, but the zone is and has been a slow death for this team since BVG has arrived. New Orleans blitz a lot and guess what, it worked to get them to a Super Bowl and maybe agian this year.

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
12:37 pm

NO SHOT?

As of right now, the Falcons will get lit up by any of these playoff teams on the road:

GIANTS, DALLAS,49′ERS, SAINTS and maybe even the LIONS! Sheesh……………….

soon to be 0-3 in the playoffs with Matt Ryan

December 28th, 2011
12:39 pm

Matt Ryan does not have the playmaking ability to take advantage of our recievers. Can you image Brees with Julio, Roddy and Gonzalez? Similar to Turner’s rushing yards ranking (3rd), Matt Ryan passing for 4,000 yards is misleading. He only ranks 17th in yards-per-completion, 1 spot ahead of Alex Smith. People can try and blame the o-line all they want but Matt Ryan gets sacked less than Aaron Rodgers, Big Ben, Matt Stafford, Tom Brady and Tony Romo. The dude has the time he just can’t make the reads like the elite guys can.

Zooker

December 28th, 2011
12:44 pm

Buzzer: I remember the Bennett firing and have always regarded it as a cautionary tale. Not sure the thinking behind it was wrong though-they just could never hire the right coach to replace him. Leeman was never successful anywhere else and the Falcons were loaded in 1980-the season of the epic playoff collapse to Dallas.

Not sure if Smith is a great coach but he is as good as Falcon fans can hope for. He is a good coach an a good guy- hoping I works out or him but history isn’t on his side.

sad fan

December 28th, 2011
12:46 pm

So in the film room after the game does anyone ask BVG why in the hell does he continue to run that crappy as zone d. If I was a player on D I will be in the media this week becuase I called out the coaches. The reason I say this is becuase he and the organinzation is effecting my resume do to like of play calling. You expect me to cover a wide receiver and all he need to do is run to the open part of the zone and catch the ball. It is fxxxing imposible to cover anyone with that kind of D.

trademark

December 28th, 2011
12:48 pm

Geez…”Choke”, you know, as bad as the Falcons played on Monday night, I would think a devoted Vick and Philly fan would know better than to talk crap about Atlanta….I mean, damn, Philly? Really? What’s their GD excuse? Hey, it isn’t much, but at least we aren’t the “dream team”. Talk about crap and under-performance.

What’s interesting is that these Falcons DO have another gear, but for some reason, they seem to shift out of it inexplicably in the middle of games against tough opponents. Scared to win? Or not laying all cards on the table? I don’t know. It would be nice to see them turn it all loose against one of them, at least just once. We get the answer to all of this, of course, AFTER the first playoff game this year. Talking heads can speculate all they want up until then.

ShempHoward

December 28th, 2011
12:49 pm

Getting to the playoffs is USELESS. It is a complete waste of time. I remember years ago after Tom Landry’s great run in Dallas in the early 70’s–the cowboys had made something like 12 straight trips to the playoffs, with no superbowls to show for it until jimmy johnson took over. Then they went on to win three superbowls in four years. But the point is 12 CONSECUTIVE TRIPS TO THE PLAYOFFS MEANS NOTHING if it doesnt result in hoisting the Vince Lombardy trophy. Any questions? I think coach mike smith is just plain vanilla (TOO SOFT). He will not ride his players hard to make them perform at the highest level. Smith is full of excuses when his team gets embarrassed on national tv. When the Falcons lost to the saints on monday night, smith said he was surprised and thought they were prepared. My advice to Smith is to go back and watch films of the 1999-2002 St. Louis Rams football team, featuring marshall faulk, kurt warner, isaac bruce and tory holt. Go back and see what it takes for a real football team to go down the field and strike in 2-5 plays almost every time. THAT, MY FRIENDS, WAS THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF. AND QUITE FRANKLY, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BETTER OFFENSE PERFORM IN PRO FOOTBALL. If Mike Smith were to watch those films of the Rams and then run the same plays for our personnel–THE FALCONS WILL WIN THE SUPERBOWL THIS YEAR. But I know he wont do it because smith is satified with 20 straight playoff appearances and NO RINGS. It makes no sense to me but I just thought I would educate a novice on what it means to strive for excellence and strive for the highest level and pursuit of perfection. GO WATCH THE FILM.

pops

December 28th, 2011
12:50 pm

the falcons could be successful if they do one of two things …. blitz or fire vangorder…

Kyle

December 28th, 2011
12:51 pm

Winning a Super Bowl is the only thing that would be acceptable and that isn’t happening this year either. New Orleans has one, Tampa Bay who came into the league 10 years after we did has one, and if I had to bet now I would say from looking at Carolina they have a better chance of winning one before we do. There is just no excuse to go 45 years and not have one Championship.

DocDawg

December 28th, 2011
12:56 pm

There is an important factor to consider when defining success and that is where are your stars in their career path. A team of young rising stars has time to build on incremental progress. The only impact players on the down slope are Turner, Gonzalez and Abe. A Snellings/Rogers tandem is decent enough to move forward. Obviously, pass rushing DE’s are the gold standard in this league and that is a glaring problem that needs to be addressed, along with O-line. Win a playoff game, build the lines and secondary through free agency, find a decent TE, and continue to make progress. It is actually realistic to consider that a Super Bowl is possible for this franchise. Can’t have any more 1st round whiffs though. Peria Jerry I’m looking at you.

Bobby Cox..

December 28th, 2011
12:57 pm

I’ve been to the playoffs 14 consecutive times..I was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DocDawg

December 28th, 2011
12:57 pm

And you too Sam Baker.

Gman 84

December 28th, 2011
12:58 pm

Grimes covering Graham in the end zone was a perfect metaphor for the Falcons vs the elite.

sad fan

December 28th, 2011
12:59 pm

Why can’t Mike Smith explain to us the reason for the zone d, considering we are the ones that are paying their salary. I think we the fans deserve an answer. If it’s because the secondary is unable to cover man to man then it will be okay, but think we deserve to know.

Gatorzone

December 28th, 2011
1:01 pm

I would just love to see Mike Smith not out-coached… I like the guy, but look at what NO was doing with their running backs chipping the Defensive end to help thier tackle protect Brees… Why haven’t the Falcons schemed anything like that?

We husband and I

December 28th, 2011
1:07 pm

Schultz, who the hell are you to determine success for anything when you continually call those who respond to your blogs as morons or idiots?

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
1:11 pm

So many thinks wrong with this team

1 Perrier Jerry. Prolly the worse fist round pick ever.
2 Donte Roberson – Prolly the worse free agent sighing ever
3 Getting rid of both Vick and Scwaub.
4 Sam Baker. 2nd worse pix.
5 giving up 2 much for Juliet Jones…..How can they fix the above with no draft pix?

DC Dirty Bird

December 28th, 2011
1:12 pm

Only way we get two wins in these playoffs is to somehow play San Fran in the Divisionals. It certainly would be gratifying to beat NOLA in the playoffs but to do that we’re going to have to meet them in a 3 vs 6 match up or 2 vs 5 match up. The problem with both is either we’d have to play them after they’ve had a bye or have to play NO and GB back to back.

Falcons hate their fans

December 28th, 2011
1:14 pm

The latest pie in the face from the Falcons will set the organization back for years. Seen it before and with the Falcons, you can count on it.

Email Profiling Is Wrong

December 28th, 2011
1:18 pm

Based on the team’s performance this season, a win in the Wild Card would be a significant achievement.

I’m as grateful as anybody for the new-found, winning consistency that Dimitroff/Smith have brought to the franchise. But save Detroit, who have we beaten this year? Nobody, that’s who. Every other “good” team we played beat us. We’ll be 10-6 or 9-7 because we played over half our games against weak opposition.

And, yet again, we come off an extended rest and looked like chumps against an elite opponent on national TV. That doesn’t bode well for the upcoming playoffs.

It’s time for this group of Falcons to step up, or Rise Up, or whatever and win a game that counts.

FalconFreak

December 28th, 2011
1:18 pm

It would be nice to see improvement from year to year, barring no significant injuries to key players. What we’ve seen this year is a decline from last year, particularly the lines on both sides of the ball. Coaching with regard to motivation, teaching, strategy, and player selection has to be held accountable for this. Coaches can’t control everything like a star impregnating a girl named “Hottie” who only had to be sufficiently seductive to go after a significant portion of our star’s assets. This surely was distracting for White but an explanation is not an excuse. What happened to the OL after they let Dahl go is strictly a coaching issue and a controllable one.

Everyone wants to see their team win the superbowl. I am pleased that Atlanta has become much more competitive under Smith but I wonder if we’ve reached the ceiling with regard to where his abilities will take us? The Saints made us look very bad and not in the same class. I can’t believe some of the Falcons were begging for another matchup with them arguing they would be better prepared. Why weren’t they better prepared for this game? Well, they made the playoffs and if they match up with the Giants, then they have a chance of winning a game. Otherwise, they’re one and done.

Ted M

December 28th, 2011
1:20 pm

…what if they get massacred in the opening game? I know what the fans will want, but will the Falcons actually do?

Stewie

December 28th, 2011
1:21 pm

You can’t have pie with out coo wHip.

Falcon James

December 28th, 2011
1:21 pm

The falcon have too many hole on both sides of the ball but especially on offence an defence. This was not our year. the saint the falcon in they place and proved that our record is a true reflection of this team is about. Nobody can blame the falcon except the falcon. I think Mike Smith is a keeper but Brian Van Gorder got to go. I used think Mularky was the problem, but he don’t make reciever catch the ball. The reciever catch the ball and ryan is calling the play. I still love my falcon and want to sees them do good, but I don’t like them proving what hiramsaint and seethisb4 been saying about them all season. It just embarrassing. I may need a bag to wear on my head they next game.

Talk is Cheap

December 28th, 2011
1:22 pm

Just unbelievable that immediately after failing in every conceivable way, the Falcons start talking about how they can’t wait for a re-match. Absolutley delusional.

They also start crying about the Saints running up the score-though they did nothing to stop this when they actually had a chance.

Here I some advice to this loser organization: shut your mouths, play better or go away-quietly. Nobody believes in you until you make us believe. You are getting as much respect as you deserve-none!

heartofdarkness

December 28th, 2011
1:23 pm

Dear Jeff,
Thanks for once again hosting the Schultz Clinic for the Improvement of Mental Health in 2011. It only hurts when I laugh. Hope you and yours have a happy and prosperous New Year.

1 TD

December 28th, 2011
1:24 pm

We only scored 1 TD in the biggest game of the season. I don’t see how the defense had anything to do with us settling for field goals every time we reach the red zone.

Falcon Hardy

December 28th, 2011
1:26 pm

The Falcons are very Lucky to be in the play-offs. We should of had a better season and build off the success of last year,instead TD added more cancerous players to the mix and we started spiraling down hill. Mike Smith is a good guy but lack to manhood to fire coaches or players that is not making the grade and tell TD

Nerehere

December 28th, 2011
1:29 pm

I guess I was duped, as well, from the success the Falcons had in their regular season last year with their 13-3 record. I knew they were winning just by barely enough, but att least, they had their personnel to get that record. Here’s the thing. That draft where they gave up so much for Julio Jones was a bust. Not that Julio isn’t or won’t be an all pro-pro bowl receiver, but Atlanta wasn’t too shaby last year. Ok, so they got their tails whupped by Green Bay in the first round. But seriously, Atlanta did have so choices to make other than to give up some first round picks and more for a wide receiver. Micheal Jenkins came back from being injured and was healty. I also wouldn’t have given up Brain Finnerman. Jerious Norwood was healthy after returning from his injury-they were all 3rd down makers of extending drives. Also Atlanta has been on the Micheal Turner train for too long, it’s time to get off, let go, and look elsewhere for a different type of back with line of scrimmage speed explosiveness. Meanwhile- yes, the Falcons needed Julio that long threat- piece of the puzzle, but at what cost? That is the question to you, Mr. Blank. Now, look what you turned your organization in to. Remember what grade they gave the Falcons on this gamble?

NFL Draft 2011 Grades: Report Card for All 32 First Round PicksBy Matt Krummel(Correspondent) on April 29, 2011 13,997 reads
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Chris Trotman/Getty Images The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books. Time to hand out report cards.
On a wild night that included a number of surprise picks and trades, many teams looked to fill their coffers with the talent to get them to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Others drafted tonight in the hopes of finding a cornerstone for a rebuilding project. All began tonight with the hope that a new season brings.
Who succeeded? Well let’s just say it wasn’t everyone.
Let’s recap and grade all 32 first round picks:

No. 1—Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Chris Trotman/Getty Images Grade: C+
To the surprise of no one, the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton with the first overall pick. Carolina has been enamored with Newton for several weeks and has, for the second time in as many years, selected a quarterback they hope will be the face of their franchise for the next decade.
The problem is, Newton is not ready to be an NFL starting quarterback.
I was outspoken in my recent mock draft that Newton was the wrong pick for the Panthers. There is no doubt that Cam Newton has the raw talent to develop into a great quarterback, but he could be two to three years away from being ready to take the reins.
That leaves Carolina with two young QBs, neither of whom are prepared to lead Carolina out of the cellar of the NFL.
It’s a boom or bust pick. But at No. 1 overall, it’s a risky proposition.

No. 2—Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Chris Trotman/Getty Images Grade: A-
Von Miller is the best edge rusher in this draft class. His combination of speed, strength and versatility make him a perfect centerpiece for Denver’s transition to the 3-4 defense.
Miler can immediately step on the field and make an impact and has the ability to drop into coverage or use his incredible burst at the snap to get to the quarterback.
He will need to improve his consistency against the run, but shows the ability to take on blockers and maintain gap discipline in space. He can become a great two-way threat with more coaching.
This is a great pick for the Denver Broncos.

No. 3—Buffalo Bills: Macell Dareus, DE, Alabama
Chris Trotman/Getty Images Grade: A
Marcell Dareus was No. 1 on my pre-draft list, and I think the Bills were very fortunate to get him at the No. 3 spot.
Dareus can play any position on the defensive line and is an absolute beast against the run. He can take on double teams and has the athleticism to get off blocks and make tackles in space.
Buffalo ranked 32nd in rush defense last year, so this pick not only lands them the best DE/DT in the draft but fills a pressing need for their defensive unit.
There isn’t much downside risk here; Dareus will be a disruptive force for the Bills for years to come.

No. 4—Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Chris Trotman/Getty Images Grade: A-
Is this Carson Palmer’s incentive to stay in Cincinnati?
The Bengals have some uncertainty in their receiving corps with Chad Ochocinco (or is it Johnson again?) and Terrell Owens possibly on their way out. Green will bring stability and big play ability to Cincy’s passing attack.
Green is a fantastic athlete given his size, having run a 4.48-40 and posting a 34.5-inch vertical jump at the Combine. He gives the Bengals a threat on the outside and can stretch the defense in a way that will open seams for Jordan Shipley working out of the slot.
Some people thought Cincinnati might go with a quarterback here in anticipation of Palmer’s exit, but I think this is a solid pick.

No. 5—Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Chris Trotman/Getty Images Grade: A
Another pick many thought would be a quarterback; the Cardinals opted to select the best cornerback in the draft.
Patrick Peterson is a player that many analysts had at the top of their draft boards. His combination of speed, size and ball skills will make him an instant starter in Arizona.
I’ve read analysis arguing that Peterson is destined to be a safety in the NFL; I disagree. He is big for a CB, but his strength at the line and ability to adjust to balls in the air will make him a star for the Cardinals.
The work isn’t over for the Cardinals, however. Look for them to target a quarterback and pass-rushing DE in the rounds to come.

No. 6—Atlanta Falcons (From Cleveland): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Grade: C

Atlanta made Cleveland an offer they couldn’t refuse. They sent their 2011 first- (No. 27 overall), second- (No. 59) and fourth- (No. 124) round picks, as well as their 2012 first- and fourth-round selections to the Browns for the opportunity to draft Julio Jones.

That is a lot to give up.

Jones could very well be the most complete, NFL ready receiver in this year’s draft. But Atlanta is making a big wager here. I don’t like it.

I understand the Falcons’ desire to take some of the pressure off of Roddy White, but history has taught us all that protecting picks and adding depth is preferable in the long run to chasing a single player.

If it works, Matt Ryan will have an incredible cast to throw to (don’t forget about Michael Jenkins and Tony Gonzalez), but if it doesn’t Mike Smith and co. will have some explaining to do.

DC Dirty Bird

December 28th, 2011
1:32 pm

Joe Tess,
Why comment on the players without commenting on the coaches. I don’t blame Sam Baker and P. Jerry. TD reached to pick them. Julio has been a stud for us. Not sure why you chose to call him Juliet. With Dunta, until we play a lot less zone and more man, I will reserve judgement on him. The only place I seem to seem him get criticized is on an AJC comment blog.

What’s your take on the coaching staff?

Gamer

December 28th, 2011
1:33 pm

EVERY TEAM IN THE POSTSEASON SHOULD BE THINKING AND SAYING, TO WIN IT ALL..

WHY PLAY POSTSEASON AND NOT EXPECT TO WIN IT ALL…ONCE IN, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

WHY DO COACH SMITTY AND OTHER FALCONS BRASS SPEAK OF HAVING A HIGHER EXPECTATION THAN MAKING THE PLAYOFFS BUT NEVER SAY WHAT THAT HIGHER EXPECTATION IS TO BE EXPECTED.

AS IF SAYING THE WORD, SUPERBOWL IS AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE FOR TEAMS ENTERING POSTSEASON PLAY. I KNOW THEY CAN’T BE MUTE OF THE WORD SUPERBOWL BASED ON SUPERSTITIONS OF JINXING THEMSELVES. PLEASE

THE BEST WAY TO BREED SUCCESS IS TO THINK SUCCESS AND TO TALK SUCCESS BY PLANNING FOR SUCCESS.

SO LET THE CAT OUT THE BAG BY LETTING THE WORD SUPERBOWL BE UPON YOUR LIPS. LET THE CONVERSATION BREED CONFIDENCE THROUGHOUT THE FALCONS ORGANIZATION AND THEIR FANBASE.

REMOVE THE LID OF EXPECTATION BY UNMUTING THE SILENCE OF WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS AND JUST SAY IT, SUPERBOWL.

THE PERFECT IDEA IS TO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN IT ALL..THAT PERFECT IDEA IS A REALITY ONCE A TEAM ENTERS THE PLAYOFFS, BY HAVING A WINNERS ATTITUDE.

FROM START TO FINISH, A WINNER’S ATTITUDE IS VISIBLE ON EVERY DOWN PLAYED.

FOR EXAMPLE, DUNTAY ROBINSON NEED TO FOCUS ON THE MAN THAT HE’S COVERING. DUNTAY SHOULD RUN STRIDE FOR STRIDE WITH THAT RECEIVER. FORGET ABOUT LOOKING FOR HELP OR LOOKING TO SEE IF THE QUARTERBACK GOT THE BALL. IF HIS RECEIVER IS RUNNING THEN JUST RUN WITH HIS RECEIVER AND THAT WAY DUNTAY WILL BE IN POSITION TO ATTEMPT A PLAY ON THE BALL OR THE RECEIVER.

NO WAY, TEAMS SHOULD EXPECT TO CONVERT A THIRD AND LONG ON HIS SIDE OF THE FIELD..NO WAY!

ESPECIALLY, AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DUNTAY BEING PAID..CM’ON MAN, AT LEAST BE IN POSITION TO MAKE A PLAY ON THE BALL, NOT STANDING IN NO MAN’S LAND OR TRAILING SEVERAL STEPS BEHIND YOUR RECEIVER, CM’ON MAN.

AS A FALCONS’ SUPPORTER, ALL A TRUE FAN ASK FOR IS A TEAM BEST EFFORT ON EVERY DOWN PLAYED..NOT A LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE SEEN MONDAY NIGHT AGAINST THE SAINTS.

PLAY WITH A LION’S HEART BUT WITH A TACTICIAN’S MIND.

BE AGGRESSIVE AND DECISIVE IN ATTACKING THE BALL OR BALL CARRIER.

FALCONS IN POSTSEASON PLAY, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. YES EVEN A SUPERBOWL APPEARANCE AND WIN.

MG3

December 28th, 2011
1:35 pm

Monday night was a huge let down, yes. That being said I am completely happy with this season. Despite Peter King’s preseason assessment I was nervous about this year. We won 13 games in 2010 but many of those were last minute victories that could’ve gone either way. I want more but as a lifelong fan who’s seen more misearble seasons than I can remember I am happy to have a winning team year in and year out. I’d have taken 10-6 and a playoff spot if asked last August and actually predicted this is where we’d be. There’s work to be done and we shouldn’t be satisfied yet but let’s be real about where this team is. Playoffs 3 of 4 years and we are complaining about not being good enough? Who could’ve imagined this after the Vick/Petrino debacle? Any Falcon fan would’ve taken our current scenario at that time…now let’s make a good showing in the playoffs and get some respect!

Email Profiling Is Wrong

December 28th, 2011
1:36 pm

The Falcons squawking for another shot at the Saints – particularly after the drubbing they took on Monday – is like Marvis Frazier demanding a rematch with Larry Holmes. That’s an old reference I know, so for the younger among you, think about a kid demanding his father take him back to the woodshed. Jeez, there’s another dated example. OK, how about this one: It’s like William Hung wanting another shot at Reuben Studdard on American Idol.

So the Falcons claim the Saints ran up the score. Big deal. Last year, some of the miscreants who play for Nawlens urinated on the Falcons logo at midfield after a victory here. If that didn’t fire you bozos up, doubt a little salt-in-the-wound rubbing by Sean Payton is gonna wake up your pride.

This team needs some heart.

extremus

December 28th, 2011
1:37 pm

While winning a playoff game would get another monkey of sorts off their backs, what I find troubling is that we (and they) are searching for silver linings time and again. They’re good enough to make the playoffs, but honestly not good (or well-coached) enough to consistently play with or beat the elite teams in the league, meaning that a Superbowl championship is very unlikely.

I personally believe that the Falcons have hit their ceiling with the players and coaches they have in place, and it greatly pains me to admit that. What this means is that changes almost akin to outright rebuilding mode are necessary to get to the next level, and given the lack of upcoming draft picks and unlikelihood of being able to trade for (or sign through free agency) all the needs anytime soon, we could be looking at still being years away. The secondary, both lines, the featured running back, and probably both the offensive and defensive coordinators need an overhaul; unfortunately most teams wait until they’re a lottery team before deciding to make such sweeping changes, so expecting that from a Falcons organization that’s experiencing unprecedented “success” (meaning consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances) will be a hard sell.

So what is more frustrating as a fan: going 3-13 and being able to hope your team’s fortunes can turn during a single draft and offseason, or making the playoffs repeatedly and realizing that’s as far as you’re going to go with what you have? For me, I have to admit it’s the latter, because (with both the Braves and Falcons) our teams are just good enough to repeatedly remind us they’re NOT good enough.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
1:40 pm

I thing Brain Van Gorded and Mike Malrkey need 2 go.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
1:41 pm

N E 1 think Mr Blanks owe us an apologize from Monday nites game?

G

December 28th, 2011
1:44 pm

Obviously, winning a Super Bowl is why the game is played. That is the ultimate success. Anything less is only a milestone towards success.

Our major road block in achieving success is the coheisiveness between our OC and QB. Our redzone efficiency is near the bottom of the pack. Yeah, Ryan has 27 TDs on the season, but how many does he have against tier 1/ winning teams? Look past the numbers people.

rock

December 28th, 2011
1:49 pm

Don’t totally blame the players, the Falcons have been playing a soft , non-aggressive, predictable defense for so long that good teams can be easily beat their defensive set-up.

The offense has a similar problem. The coaches are going to have to step up and pull the team in a position to play a higher caliber of football.

Mark Bradley

December 28th, 2011
1:51 pm

I’m on vacation this week but thought I would chime in. Falcons need to go deep in the play offs to to quiet the critics, then they MUST make the Superbowl next year, barring injuries or other huge problems.

By the way Mr Schultz…..Stay out of my desk!

Falcon Hardy

December 28th, 2011
1:51 pm

Our Goal should be to win the super bowl every year. Our team should improve every year, we have not we have gone in the opposite direction, and there is not any indication we will get better next year, since TD sold the farm for 1 average player. Mike Smith is a nice guy, but not a head coach, he needs to man up and fire some coaches and cut the non-performing players. TD HAS PUT THIS TEAM IN A HOLE , ONE THAT WE MIGHT NOT RECOVER FROM FOR A FEW YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!1

chris

December 28th, 2011
1:52 pm

They have had 17 weeks and could only beat two winning teams (Detroit & Tenn). I think this team is one and done which with the same guys back from last year with the decision to give up tons of our future in draft picks for one player is a HUGE disappointment.
They have to play in the 2nd round to even consider this a remotely successful year and the NFC Championship to definitely call it improvement.

@UrethraFranklyn

December 28th, 2011
1:52 pm

At this point I just have no confidence in this team. With the glaring exception of the D-line (which has consistently been League-worst), every component of the team has had great games and atrocious ones this year.

Almost never have all or most of those components played well at the same time–i.e., secondary finally plays well, Ryan screws up; Ryan starts clicking, but special teams kill us; O-line steps up, but WRs play like crap. It is maddening.

I don’t know if the issue is coaching, execution, or focus, but it certainly is not lack of talent. I do know this team has shown a clear pattern the past few years of shrinking from the spotlight and being routinely humiliated on the big stage. Other than Jacksonville, when have we soundly beaten an opponent the past few years? Or at least soundly beaten a good one? GB and NO regularly destroy teams, while most of our Ws come down to the 4Q, even against the meekest of opponents.

I’ll root as loudly as I always have, and I’m happy they made the playoffs. However, in the back of my mind is the Sword of Damocles of the next near-inevitable chapter of humiliation for this franchise. Is it better to make it to the postseason and get summarily trounced, or not to make it at all and maintain some hope and dignity going forward?

Mr. Panic Button

December 28th, 2011
1:59 pm

There should be a natural progression of the offense and defense each year. They set the bar high when they made the playoffs in their first year. Now they have to continue to grow upon that and we should see the team go deeper into the playoffs each year. That’s NOT happening. We’re winning games against average to below average teams and we are not built to beat the top offenses in the league with the coaching staff (OC & DC very uncreative and cannot game plan) and we are missing real defensive play makers on the DL…secondary can use a refresh as well.

Dome Stinks

December 28th, 2011
2:01 pm

It’s going to be an amazing day outside. I hate watching football inside the Dome. It’s dark and dreary, and just ugly. It’s a bad fan experience no matter what…

Success = Watching the Falcons play a playoff game outside.

Email Profiling Is Wrong

December 28th, 2011
2:03 pm

In the words of James Tiberius Kirk, “I…have…a plan!”

Wanna shake things up at Flowery Branch for 2012? Wanna see some heart, some gumption, so good old fashioned pride exhibited by the lethargic, overpaid mesomorphs who wear our beloved red and black?

Me too. But what to do? What to do?

Lets trade for Tim Tebow!

So what if his passing motion is spasmodic, his footwork is reminiscent of Buzz Aldrin on Dancing With the Stars, he’s about as accurate as a Mark Bradley prediction and his release is slower than a MARTA bus on Sunday?

So what?

Tebow’s got heart, he’s got spirit. He’s got friends in high places. He’s bound to get better – he can’t get much worse.

And rumor has it the NFL Rules Committee is enacting a new penalty next year – specifically for roughing Tebow – Blasphemy. It costs the offending team 20 yards too.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
2:08 pm

Heres the thig. If it wood help the Flacons there not going 2 do it. Just look at what they done B 4.

They sigh Donta Roberson and Ray Edmunds who only sucess is stealing money form the team.

benchwarmer

December 28th, 2011
2:09 pm

Falcons havn’t won agaist any really significant opponants this year. When they have played a better team all their flws start to show. Not enough talent on either line. A slow aging primary running back. Maybe Matt Ryan can’t do enough deep to create that threat, but his lack of protection may be a factor in that. Real problem seems to be in the coach and GM who either ignored the line problem or misjudged what they had. Falcons are basically a middle of the road team probably heading down unless the brains have learned enough to start turning it around. That remains to be seen. As a fan since year one I have learned not to take anything for granted with the Falcons. History says they will not get it right. The currant ownership has made it’s share of errors too.

Hamburger Helper

December 28th, 2011
2:09 pm

Falcons are so delusional!!! Demanding a rematch with the Saints…claiming that the Falcons can beat the 49ers?! Are you people serious? The Falcons do not deserve to play in the postseason. Here this…and here it good! The Atlanta Falcons will be one and done in the playoffs.

@UrethraFranklyn

December 28th, 2011
2:10 pm

“Heres the thig. If it wood help the Flacons there not going 2 do it. Just look at what they done B 4.

They sigh Donta Roberson and Ray Edmunds who only sucess is stealing money form the team.”

LMAO

J

December 28th, 2011
2:11 pm

You Know … hilarious … love your post! The Hawks are the most successful team in Atlanta right now but it doesn’t matter. The fans are mentally handficapped when it comes to defining success. You know, building a team from the bottom-up takes time and the Hawks have been doing that. Of course, Atlanta fans say a Championship matters but one problem with that, Atlanta only has two championships in professional sports. Can’t really say that’s a good meeasurement. I say beating the Bulls in 2 games in the 2nd round last season was a success and so was Hinrich hurting himself b/c we saw what Teague could do. If anything, that was the most success i’ve seen in a LONG time. Like i said though, Atlanta fans are STUUUUUUUUPID. Then again, we don’t have “Atlanta fans” … we have fans of the other team here. Can’t wait to see these lifelong Clippers fan come out of the closet this year. HILARIOUS!

benchwarmer

December 28th, 2011
2:12 pm

Dome stinks, yes it does. That is thanks to the Rankin Smiths who I think are racing hard for the worst NFL owners of all time.

Hamburger Helper

December 28th, 2011
2:12 pm

Joe Tess Fish House=TUI
Typing under the influence.

Hamburger Helper

December 28th, 2011
2:18 pm

If a Dawg fan married a Falcons fan, I’m almost certain they would live in a glass house, on beachfront property in Union City, guarded by leprechauns riding unicorns.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
2:20 pm

Huh? And U say I am typinmg under the influeance?

MG

December 28th, 2011
2:24 pm

Bottom line….our D is downright awful and there is only positive upside on a few players like Moore. Spoon, and Grimes. We’ve seen what the rest can do and it ain’t all that impressive. D Robinson, Jerry, and R Edwards will go down as busts.. How could MS be such a bright defensive coach down in JAX and then come here and stink so much ??

mark

December 28th, 2011
2:27 pm

lets be honest here, WE DONT WANT A REMATCH we dont have the power the players or the mentality to beat the saints or any other team in the playoffs its gonna be the same old story 1 and out im getting sick and tired of all this failure, somebody has to step up, cut some heads starting from mm and bvg, we have the worst coordinators in this league and im starting to think dimitroff sucks too, way to many bust to hit radio, we are on diapersss against elite teams something has to be done

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:27 pm

17th ranked yards per completion does not equal Elite by any stretch? Duh……

Stats that count most.. Playoff wins: 0-3 past 4years…..PLAYOFFS?????????Joke

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:29 pm

Arthur shooting Blanks!

Oh forgot to mention the last two playoff losses were BLOWOUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:35 pm

“I didn’t see this one COMING!” Mike Smith quote post game interview…WTF???????

Coach Mike Smith= Norv Turner, Wade Phillips…Round peg-Square hole…..

We need a QB

December 28th, 2011
2:40 pm

To the delusional Matt Ryan fans, here’s a list of teams that would never in a million years trade Matt Ryan.

Patriots, Eagles, Giants, Carolina Panthers, Saints, Texans, Dallas, Chargers, Bears, Lions, Packers, Steelers, Colts.

13 teams would rather have their QB than Matty Ice.

The truth is we have a middle-of-the-road QB throwing to elite receivers. Roddy and Julio could be great if they had Brees, Rodgers, Peyton on Stafford throwing to them. Instead, the stuck with Captain Check Down.

keepinitreal

December 28th, 2011
2:43 pm

I thought a reasonable goal for this season was to get to the NFC Championship Game. That can still be accomplished, but obviously I’m not feeling too optimistic at this point.

We really need to win at least one playoff game this year. Regular season success is great, but it’s only a means to an end. If it doesn’t translate to playoff success, then it’s kind of pointless. I like Smitty, but I’m tired of dominating the Panthers and Jaguars of the world and then getting our lunch money taken by the big boys. One playoff win in four years would not be asking too much, especially with the talent on this roster.

John Brockington

December 28th, 2011
2:47 pm

Last year was a cruel setup of expectations. That big regular season record was a mirage based an extremely easy schedule (NFC West was the worst division in the history of the league). After being exposed badly in the playoffs, management performed a knee-jerk overreaction with that ridiculous Jones trade that gutted any possibility to keep building year over year. Their shortcoming last year wasn’t “not enough explosive playmakers”, it was the defense. Now there are no draft picks to fix anything while the window is still ajar. That trade slammed their own window shut. Instead of getting better they will continue to get worse. Next year they’ll win 7 or 8 games and be in third place in the division. The wild card playoff loss will be the end to the greatest run of success in their history.

Samuel

December 28th, 2011
2:48 pm

A success would have to be winning a Superbowl, just Imagine the Falcons winning two games and then losing. It still would be incomplete- as far as goals are concerned. Besides you don’t know how long Tony Gonzales can stomach losing. At some point he’s going to retire, try replacing a hall a famer. If you think this offense sputters at times, Imagine it without Gonzales. It will take a special tight-end to replace him.

keepinitreal

December 28th, 2011
2:48 pm

We need a QB, while I’m not the biggest Ryan fan in the world, that’s a little misleading. The Bears and Texans may not be willing to give up Cutler and Schaub, respectively, for Ryan, but by the same token, I don’t think the Falcons would make that trade either. Lots of teams say they wouldn’t trade their QB for anybody in the league, but only one guy can be the best in reality.

Ryan is a good second-tier QB.

JoFo

December 28th, 2011
2:49 pm

How do I define FALCONS success? To suck, thats how! FALCONS say they want a rematch?? What are they going to do; embarrass all of their fans AGAIN??? :(

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm

Andrew Luck would be an upgrade?

Hey JSS, what happened to MISTER CHARLIE? Did he throw in the towel and finally retire after 47 years of this ish? LMFAO!!!!

Fan from SAV

December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm

I read the column– all pipe dreams- the Falcons Mon night wasted all that had been building over the last couple of years -if I was not broke I would bet they are run off the field this Sunday

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:53 pm

Wow 790 the Zone has two amateur Bozo’s on the radio right now…lol

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
2:54 pm

No way is this team goin 2 the Superbowel. No way R they goin 2 beet the Sanits again. No way R they getting any good draft pix sense they traded them all a way for Juliet Jones.

woeismesince66

December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm

IF the playoffs were in something like a Maypole dance, the Falcons might have a chance, but we’re talking
about football. So I’m not sure the Falcons know how to play. You know all that blocking and tackling stuff is
sort of a mystery to them.

Unless the Bucs don’t play, I’m not sure the Falcons can beat them. By not play, I mean stay home with the wife and kids.

Oh well, We’ll get’em next year. Seen it all before.

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm

We need a mobile rocket launcher to stretch the field. This BC dude doesn’t have one…

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
2:59 pm

Arthur shooting Blanks!

Where are my PICKS? PICKS? PICKS?

tree rollins

December 28th, 2011
3:01 pm

I consider just making the playoffs a success overall. I will not renew my season tickets next year because I simply feel something is missing (boring offense, zone defense, etc.) but in the big picture this is as consistent as the team has ever been.

tree rollins

December 28th, 2011
3:05 pm

One thing I’ve noticed is the Saints keep reloading on offense with GREAT running backs. Meanwhile, we gave up 2 #1’s and almost an entire draft for Julio Jones – not the move of a steady and intelligent team. I don’t even think anyone gives up that much for Andrew Luck next year – huh? Falcons best players Abraham and Gonzalez are near the end. Anything coming to replace them? Oh yeah, like I said we gave the entire draft away. C’mon Julio – please hold onto the ball this time!

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:07 pm

I think EVERY team should have higher aspirations than just making the playoffs. That’s like a dude riding in the car with a hot girl. You wanna do more than just ride in the car…

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:08 pm

Abraham should retire. 3 sacks in 15 games for a man getting paid to lead the league in sacks is disgraceful.

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm

If the Falcons had the Giants defense then they’d be talking Super Bowl. But Babs,Edwards,Abe,Grimes,Dunta,Spoon,Lofton,etc. can’t get it done. Each has their own individual flaws that makes a total bumfudged defense !

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm

CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
“Andrew Luck would be an upgrade?”
“Hey JSS, what happened to MISTER CHARLIE? Did he throw in the towel and finally retire after 47 years of this ish? LMFAO!!!!”

If you’ll notice, I’ve been very quiet on the Charlie, Trademark, IJonathan, UGABugkiller, and etc front… I made a statement on the difference between “savor” and “gloat” a few weeks back when my user-name was being dragged through the mud here… There is only so many ways you can state the obvious to “rational people.” Beyond that point, it just becomes “wonky” and trying to battle the ignorant amongst us…

Remember stats mean nothing, thus “34/ 52 – 373 yards” = 16 points… Nuance is the most unkind mistress, get my drift?

tony

December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm

How can anyone expect this team to make it to the sb with a weak d-line and o-line? If it weren’t for the players detemination to fight too the end, their record would be worse than what it is. This team really plays hard for Mike Smith but the team is just too weak in the trenches. Sometimes I even feel sorry for them when teams blow them off the line of scrimmage. It’s not the hc fault for not having the right players to compete against teams with better players.

Until Dimitroff start building in the trenches on both sides of the ball with dominant players, this team ain’t going anywhere. This offseason, his number one priority should be to strengthen the d-line. We need a big strong body in the middle of the d-line who has the power to pose problems for rbs and qbs. Ahtyba Rubin-dt will become a free agent after this season so he should be our #1 priority.

Ahtyba Rubin 2011 stats:

74 tackles and 4 sacks

Calais Campbell-de is another free agent who Dimitroff should sign this offseason. He’s 300lbs and he is a tackling machine.

Calais Campbell 2011 stats:

71 tackles, 2 ffum and 8 sacks

On offense we need to try to sign free agent Kareem McKenzie-ot and draft Ben Jones-c in the 2nd rd if he’s still on the board by then. I think we can win a sb if we get those players.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm

@ Tree
Finaly some one sees it my way. I 2 complaint about the Flacons giving up 2 much for Juliet Jones yet when I say it peeple call me stoopid and D Led band me.

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:12 pm

I had a nightmare last night. I saw Drew Brees throw for 1,000 yards against the Falcons defense in one game. Dunta’s dreads had been burnt off and Spoon was a Fork. It was ugly.

open your eyes

December 28th, 2011
3:13 pm

look at the 49ers same team different coach.The window is closing Mr.Blank.Your G.M. has Wiffed on 2 many Draft Picks.Jerry,Owens,Decloud,Middleton,Sidbury,Baker,Renolds,A 3 Foot Tall Running Back who Looks Like An Umpa Lumpa From Charley And The Cocolate Factory,And Then The Whole Draft On a Wideout,When u Dont Have A defence.And Why Bring In And End Rusher With A Bum Knee.Oh Wait It Was A Minor Procedure Not Major Surgery Right Coach Smith.Wink,Wink.

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:15 pm

Falcons don’t have a defensive stalwart like a Patrick Willis,Clay Matthews,Terrell Suggs,or a Brian Urlacher. There’s NOBODY to fear on the Falcons defense.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
3:16 pm

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:18 pm

Teams don’t even double Abraham anymore. He gets beat by a o-lineman on every play.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 28th, 2011
3:19 pm

Dear Mr Blanks Its now are never sense you waisted next yeras draft on Juliet Jones.

ws

December 28th, 2011
3:21 pm

I don’t see falcans beating Cowboys or G-men, Eli and Romeo will have a field day with falcan defense. Be like seven on five. two falcons will take off. if they play any of the elite teams they will get blowed away. I do not even seeing them beating Lions. Stafford and Johnson will eat them. What a joke. play-offs!!!!

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:22 pm

But on a very serious note, remember when Don Shula kept trying to prove that he could win a Super Bowl with Marino when it became obvious that his team needed to go in a different team structure (O-Line, run game, and build a stout defense)? Well, he kept trying to add weapons for the passer. He never addressed his team’s true weaknesses. So, this where the Falcons stand. Can you win with Matt Ryan, sure you might… But it will take a totally different team around him to pull it off… What is easier to replace, the QB who does not make all of his weapons viable, or the entire team to make the QB relavent? Time to make a choice…

blue

December 28th, 2011
3:24 pm

Was listening to one of the local radio guys yesterday, and he made a good point; we have a lot of really good players, but no “great players”, and certainly not multiple “great players”. The Falcons have taken a step forward AS an organization over the last 5 years, but they are going to have to decide if they are willing to part with the money it would take to get the missing pieces. They are going to HAVE to get some people of the cliber of Brees, or Jared Allen, or Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews Jr, Jimmy Graham, Jake Long, Patrick Willis, Sproles (not that any of those guys are available, but those are the KIND of impact players they are lacking). Until that time…they are going to teeter on the edge of being just pretty good…but not elite.

blue

December 28th, 2011
3:24 pm

that’s “caliber”

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:25 pm

Defensive player evaluation :

Lofton : Great speed plays the run exceptionally well. Can’t cover a scarecrow though.

Witherspoon : Ditto on the run but overruns many plays (in the backfield while rb is up field 10 yards). Decent pass coverage.

Babineaux : No sacks or pressure. Never gets his name called. That’s not good.

Abraham : Lost his speed to rush passer. Plays run well. Not a sack threat any more.

Edwards : Plays run well. Seems to get pressure but can’t get sacks (what he was paid to get).

D.Robinson : Can’t cover a scarecrow. Can’t tackle in open field. Big name with no game.

Grimes : Too short to cover tall receivers. Plays hard but wouldn’t start for any other NFL team.

Franks : Thrown into the fire due to injuries. Covers well but bites on short passes and gets torched deep a lot

FEMA

December 28th, 2011
3:27 pm

Look on the bright side Falcons fans at least you don’t live in New Orleans where you will drown if there is a hurricane. New Orleanians went number 1 and number 2 on that field where their God Drew Brees plays. I hope when he gets tackled he lands on a spot where someone took a massive while they were waiting on us to help them. Hahaha, those losers!

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
3:30 pm

“Nuance is the most unkind mistress, get my drift?”

Now that is some classic Chit from JSS! LMAO!!!!

BTW IJ Rosenberg is a LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND! lol

Falconsfan001

December 28th, 2011
3:30 pm

What were yall feeling when Brees broke the record on us with the crowd goin wild, and that damn song playing?

michael

December 28th, 2011
3:32 pm

Why is getting in the playoffs considered a success? The only success is WINNING A SUPERBOWL. Everything else is a FAILURE in my book. I hate to keep hearing from the media that the Falcons “Have a great culture with Dimitroff and Smith”.. I don’t care about culture or picking players that are good in the community.. I want Superbowls!! DIMITROFF AND SMITH HAVE NO PLAYOFF WINS SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN HERE- END OF STORY. They need to prove me wrong this year.

bigcrimson75

December 28th, 2011
3:34 pm

This team needs a playoff win. Who cares who its against. If we lose another playoff game in the 1st round, the talk of Ryan – Smith not winning in the playoff is only going to get louder.
I’m a little torn because i like our qb & our coach, but i absolutely hate our DC. Hell, if we win a game or 2 in the playoffs, then it may save his job.
We need help on defense. Another DT, another De, another safety & a whole new group of corners.
Once again, I ask the question of who MADE the decision to dump Zimmerman for BVG? This decision alone has cost the Falcons big time olver the last 4 yrs.

Sober reality

December 28th, 2011
3:35 pm

The birds are a floundering franchise! They are stuck in neutral and can’t move forward.
There are many reasons.
1) Coaching is average and not making players better
2) In game adjustments are slow, if any
3) Offensive line is subpar making Turner an even slower back…not a real threat
4) QB Ryan is slow at making pocket decisions and has an average arm (compare him to Stafford)
5) Defense is old and fat on the ends…have no inner drive. LB is good and promising
6) Draft is depleted thanks to Julio who has as much trouble catching the ball as Roddy! If you can’t catch the balle, you should not play receiver!
7) No real fan demand to get better.

We are a mid level team with little hope of getting much better in the forseeable future. The players are delusional….do you really want to play N.O. again as you are blattering? You must be kidding!

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:35 pm

Jonathan is a OK guy; but he has a need to be liked on these blogs by the supposed “right kind of blogger.” He just as vocal last year before lauding Matt Ryan and his ascension to “elite” status.

The absence of the vocal has spoken volumes…

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
3:36 pm

“What is easier to replace, the QB who does not make all of his weapons viable, or the entire team to make the QB relavent? Time to make a choice…”

Sounds like after the next HISTORIC MELTDOWN the FAL-cons will be at a their “crossroads” and Mr Blank will have to pull the trigger or else expect the same type results…

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:36 pm

“He was just as vocal” that is…

michael

December 28th, 2011
3:38 pm

Also,

I am not impressed with Dmitroff/Smith and I wish Jeff Schultz and others in the Atlanta media (yes I’m talking to you Bradley, DLed, the radio guys) would stop kissing their a** when discussing them and the “culture they brought to the Falcons”

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
3:39 pm

Agreed those “right kind of Blogger” silence has been stunning and speaks the Library of Congress…

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:42 pm

Denver faced the same choice when they brought Shanahan back to coach Elway. Then they lucked into Terrell Davis, and they went got a real D-Line and stopped trying to pretending to be the Fun Bunch…

It is more than a crossroad, they can become the Chargers (Philip Rivers version) in the wink of the eye…

Burnt Birdies Boys

December 28th, 2011
3:42 pm

Its just sad and a fact the we all know that the Falcons can’t really compete with the Saints & Packers. The Falcons offense is geared to score about 24 points per game. That’s a mere half-time scoring for the Saints & Packers. You got to score in the 40’s to beat the good teams.

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:44 pm

OK, I’m going back to “savor” some more, good luck trying to clean up Arthur’s version of “Sophie’s Choice!”

ramblingbuzz

December 28th, 2011
3:47 pm

To use a baseball analogy, the can’ts are like the Braves of the 90’s, get to the playoffs but can’t finish. Mike Smith = Bobby Cox, the coach the players love but the one who can’t produce the big win when it counts.

We need a dominant "D" or an elite QB

December 28th, 2011
3:48 pm

I keep hearing about our defense. What about the fact that we mortgaged our future on a reciever and yet we only scored 1 TD for the entire game? And N.O. doesn’t even have a good defense. In order for the Falcons to be legitimate contenders we either need a dominate defense or an elite QB. Right now we have neither.

captguitarman

December 28th, 2011
3:48 pm

Although it may be disappointing to Falcon fans, and perhaps hard to accept, after the good, but sometimes sporadic good growth spurt since Smith arrived, the Falcons have a ways to go to reach the stature of teams like Green Bay, New England, New Oleans, and more recently, San Francisco. Another play off appearance is good after a somewhat shaky and inconsistent season, but if it happens in New Orleans, those who insist that there will be a different result qualify for insanity – which as the old canard goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. You can cry about running up the score all you want, and perhaps even hope that it will fire up the Falcons to go in there and get revenge. But, if you watched the same game I did, the Saints practically couldn’t help themselves from scoring in quick 3 to 4 minute bursts. Maybe if the Saints could be limited to only 9 or 10 men on offense, it might make for a more interesting game. Monday night’s game was one of the most compelling ass whuppings of one good team by another good (great?) team televised this year. It was painful to watch. The Saints completely controlled every aspect of the game. Every Atlanta receiver targeted by Ryan had a swarm of black uniforms around him while Ryan was under constant pressure. Every Saint receiver ran free while Brees either took his time or moved around masterfully in the pocket easily dodging Atlanta’s best “blitzes.” And that is just one aspect. Besides passing, the Saints can run the ball all day if they want to. Nope. Not this year. The Saints have jelled and peaked at exactly the right moment. But, the Falcons can get there under Smith. It is just going to take more time

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
3:48 pm

I guess in Denver’s case it was good to be “lucky”?..Falcons could sure use some luck going into the playoffs…

It’s amazing how the Chargers underachieve for years with Norv Turner sorta like the Braves used to under Bobby Cox regime..

ramblingbuzz

December 28th, 2011
3:51 pm

An you don’t beat the packers, saints, or giants by kicking a field goal 1 out of every 2 times you’re in the red zone. Who calls the plays in the red zone, Mickey Mouse?

?

December 28th, 2011
3:51 pm

MATT NOODLE RYAN COULD NOT HIT A BULL IN THE ASS WITHA BASS FIDDLE. THE FALCOONS WILL ALWAYS BE LOSERS WITH THE STAFF THEY HAVE NOW.

atl = loserville

December 28th, 2011
3:52 pm

in loserville atlanta, just having a “winning” season makes it a big year!!! Two winning seasons in a row???? Take to the streets in celebration, have a parade, hand out big bonus checks!!!

That’s why it’s loserville!!!

AJ

December 28th, 2011
3:52 pm

Our achievement would be to get rid of Bryan Van Gorder so we can not worry about winning one playoff game and instead be Super Bowl contenders consistently.

Another wide receiver

December 28th, 2011
3:54 pm

the falcons need to give away a bunch more picks from future years to get another wide receiver! with another wide receiver, they will be unstoppable and will be dominating the league for years!!!! Dimitroff–pure genius!!!

Who dat now?

December 28th, 2011
3:56 pm

georgia blown out by lsu

falcons blown out by saints

playoffs: more of the same–saints win easy. Party time on bourbon street!!! saints win the super bowl!!!

Angelo

December 28th, 2011
3:57 pm

Falcons fan don’t worry the falcons will be allright its just a bump in the road.

JSS

December 28th, 2011
3:58 pm

Oh, sorry before I go; but do you really “trust” Smith to bring in quality assistants with his track record?

Jim

December 28th, 2011
3:59 pm

After 13-3 and talk by Blank et al that nothing less than a Super Bowl victory would be acceptable, anything less is not a success. Blank defined it for us all…as did a bunch of the players. Want a bold prediction?…no success this year by Blank’s standard. duh

Nativebird

December 28th, 2011
4:02 pm

Thinking right now Jeff kudos. Finally someone in Atlanta raising the bar on Falcon leadership and saying STOP with the silly lip service about “championships”. Appararantly they were spouting truth about simply being “relevant” because that is barely (repeat: barely) what they are. This franchise is not in the same league with the Saints, Packers and Patiots. not even close. So stop pretending Falcons and start learning what it takes to reach elite status and start executing on it. Cuz what Dimitrof, Smith and his Coordinators are doing is on the Right track for mediocraty.

Me Too

December 28th, 2011
4:02 pm

After all the hype of last year, success should be getting to the Super Bowl, but at this point in time, I would define success as:

The coaching staff puts a team on the field for the first playoff game that has a defense using man-to-man coverage.

The coaching staff puts a team on the field for the first playoff game that has an offense that does not have Michael Turner as a starter or a reserve on the bench, Mike Mularkey has been pulled from the press box and is not calling plays, and every play called is a screen pass.

CGD..

December 28th, 2011
4:07 pm

Mr Blank you set the bar too High with that 13-3 record mostly against inferior talent last year..

Sorta would be like GM bringing back Charles Pogue “Winnipeg” carburetor that allowed V8 motors to achieve over 200mpg(circa 1931).. Who would drive an in-line 4 Hybrid that gets 50 MPG?….Duh!!!

cpat16

December 28th, 2011
4:08 pm

Rams are letting go of Spagnuolo. Lets grab him as DC and Todd Haley as OC. Problem solved. We have the talent, but no one knows how to use it.

Jacquess Strappe

December 28th, 2011
4:10 pm

Winning the first game and not embarrassing themselves (and us) if losing the second would be a positive; going one further game could be measured as real success. But if on a roll, don’t stop!!
Don’t know if it will happen in a playoff environment if we continue to be predictable on offense when not in no-huddle and don’t make better use of ALL of our offensive “weapons”, and especially if we continually play the soft zone on defense and do not get quarterback pressure. I do remain hopeful !!!

Scott6840

December 28th, 2011
4:20 pm

I have been a Falcon fan since 1966 and had season tickets for 15 years, until I moved away. While Coach Smith is by far the best Falcon coach ever, after last year’s post season game with GB and Monday night’s game I’m not sure they are ready for prime time.

I really hate to say this, but perhaps a forfeit would be less embarrassing.

[...] to Original Content From By Jeff Schultz: read moreJeff Schultz read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]

keepinitreal

December 28th, 2011
4:46 pm

cpat, I like that plan. Spags knows how to rush the passer. That’s an area where the Falcons are badly deficient right now.

I like Haley, too, though if I had my pick of the litter, I’d go with Norv Turner for OC. If there’s anyone who could help Matt Ryan turn the corner, it’s Norv.

keepinitreal

December 28th, 2011
4:51 pm

But regardless, it’s obvious that Mularkey and BVG have both run their course in Atlanta. I don’t see how Smitty could justify bringing these two men back next year. Hopefully Mularkey gets a head coaching job. BVG should be given his unconditional release. He simply hasn’t produced.

Wink

December 28th, 2011
4:57 pm

Success can be defined many ways, but in football only W’s in the playoffs count for anything. The Falcons are 0 & 2 with this regime.

One playoff win would be success for this very ordinary team. The Falcons success is base on LUCK. Last year we were 13 & 3, but we playeda soft schedule and had 5 or 6 come from behind wins. We could have very easily been 8 & 8 or 9 & 7.

In the playoff we got the Green Bay Packer at 9 & 7, which was a wild card team, best draw we could have expected, playing on our home turf, where we had the best winning record and the Pack smashed mouthed our dream season and routed us. They just got their first lost since, last week. In hindsight we lost to an Elite Team and have been routed by them again this year.

We have been Lucky, we take care of weaker opponents in most games, but we can’t beat winning teams.

We need to get very LUCKY and see Murlarkey & Van Goder leave town. We need a new Offensive Coordinator, who idea of offensive creativity is to place Julio in the back field, on the opening play, and throw basically a lateral pass, for little or no gain. Why not a bubble screen, with blocker out front. Was that creativity or just stupidity? Really who did not know he was going to get the ball!

This team is programmed to play close and be in the game in the fourth quarter. History from last year says that’s the way to play the game…why not we were 13 & 3 right? Wrong, you are playing better competition this year and this has served you well against losing teams, even this year we are what 6 & 2 against losing teams.

Where are the explosive plays against good teams, what happens to the NO HUDDLE against good teams? Good teams score quite a few touchdowns and our penchant for taking FIELD GOALS to keep us close will not WIN FOOTBALL GAMES!!!!!

Why can’t we win because we can’t keep up with the scoring. Good team exploit Van Goder and his PRECIOUS LITTLE SOFT ZONE. We can’t get off the field on 3rd DOWN. I would much rather see the Falcons face 3rd down & 2 than 3rd Down & 7, 10, 17, because the PRECIOUS LITTLE SOFT ZONE allows teams to be successful, Brees was 8 for 8 at one point in the game on 3rd DOWN CONVERSIONS!!

So the Falcons are very lucky to be in the playoffs and in these parts one win would be a Huge Acheivement for Falcons…yet in REALITY FOR MOST FANS…NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!

1990_Champs_GT

December 28th, 2011
5:37 pm

I still hold to what I said about the Falcons at the end (half) of the Packers’ playoff game last year:

If the they don’t make the playoffs or lose in the first round, fire Mike Smith and the coordinators.

mike

December 28th, 2011
5:39 pm

at least the hawks have won a playoff series three years in a row.. thanks for getting up hyped up all year for the Falcons only to see them lose the big game year after year..

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 28th, 2011
5:42 pm

As a diehard Saints fan, I can understand your frustration and fully sympathize with you guys as a fan base. For more than 40 years we put up with a miserable bottom dweller in the New Orleans Saints,until Tom Benson bought the team and we began to enjoy some success around the early 90’s under Jim Mora. We had some leans years until Coach Payton took the job and took us to our first NFC Championship where we lost to the Bears in 06. Since that time I noticed something special about his coaching staff, a winning formula that has worked for the last 6 years that has bought us a Superbowl ring.T he Saints are known as a team who will draft you in the 7th round or if you go undrafted you will get a shot to make the team. We have a lot of no names, players who have come from colleges like Hostra, Bloomberg, rookies who are drafted in the 2,3,4 rounds and guys who don’t mind if they are not the star. We don’t have prima donna recievers if they don’t get the ball go to the media, I have read stories on Tuesdays, the off day for most NFL players our recievers are playing pitch and catch with Drew Brees. My point is this team and the coaches have put the time in to be great or good whatever you want to describe them as, and it has paid off big dividends. The Falcons have some great talent and that game is probaly the one game of the year that we as Saints fans know will be a tough game for us.I think Mike Smith is a good coach, I think your coorinating positions need to be upgraded. I can tell you one more thing about the Saints I have never seen them out coached, they make adjustments all game along, they will figure out what you are doing and simply adjust to counteract what you are doing. If a game plan not working, they will change it on the field and thats the kind of coaching that will bring you success.

Phalcon Phil

December 28th, 2011
5:42 pm

Replacing Ryan and Dimitroff would be a huge success for this franchise.

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 28th, 2011
5:49 pm

Winning or the opportunity to play in a Superbowl should be the only gauge for success. To win it all should be the ultimate goal. Coach Patyon said , his desire is either to play in them or put your team in a position to play for a championship. The Saints build their team each year with that goal in mind.

DC

December 28th, 2011
6:01 pm

I would be happy with REPLACING Mike Mularky and Van Gorder immediately! You can pass all day long on that garbage Saints defense. Instead we try to control the clock and that is not going to happen with them. They can score on a kick-off as you saw with Sproles, they can score on three or four passing plays, and they can score at-will. Turner was effective out of the back field on dump-passes. We need to step up our defensive pressure. The game would have been completely different if we scored on ONE of those turnovers!

Get a clue Van-Gorder, dial up a blitz once in a blue moon. Ray Edwards, earn your contract and John Abraham get 3 SACKS on someone besides Blaine Gabbert!!!!!

72-92

December 28th, 2011
6:08 pm

whats with that no huddle…too much delay…no huddle get up there and hike the ball and catch someone off gaurd

Fan from SAV

December 28th, 2011
6:26 pm

every time I think about Monday night -my head hurts-it’s more than depressing –Much much more was expected this year-I know it’s only a game-but damn if small town GB and that cesspool NO can play -it seems as if Atlanta could at least showup every now and then

C.R Mountjoy

December 28th, 2011
6:29 pm

Kinda tired of hearing the cries of the Saints running up the score this past Monday. The Falcons better be glad the Saints did not run up the score. Yes, DB got his record, but if the Saints really wanted to pour it on, there was nothing the Falcons could do about it. This is pro football, not Pop Warner. Like so many other people have said, if we did not want the score run up on us, the defense should have stopped DB and the O should never have kicked three FGs. It’s that simple.

Sidslid

December 28th, 2011
6:47 pm

Aren’t all three local teams essentially #10? And aren’t all three stuck there because of financial constraints or “core personnel” issues. Falcon’s expensive busts on the defensive side will hamstring them

Fire'em

December 28th, 2011
6:47 pm

If they (Smith and Mularkey) are going to stick with the “3 yards and a cloud of dust” then we’ve got the wrong tools on offense – really, the WRONG kind of offense.

As for the defense – I don’t know even where to start it is so bad…

jojatek

December 28th, 2011
6:50 pm

Seriously? These are the Falcons! Consecutive winning seasons and a future with Dimitroff at the wheel is more than enough. Let’s build it slowly and (finally) develop a franchise that contends year-in and year-out. If we do that, the playoff wins and Super Bowls will follow. Patience, Schultzie… we’ve waited this long…

All I remember is

December 28th, 2011
7:10 pm

Since 1966,

not much Falcon hope hanging around.

Mr. Panic Button

December 28th, 2011
7:16 pm

The reason the Falcons don’t have any top-tier players that dominate the game is we have the worse Scouts in the league. TD brought some of his rejects that Belichick fired from the Patriot’s scouting staff. The drafts have been more miss than hit and the FA signings were more of a marketing ploy to appease the fans rather than finding someone that could come in and make a real impact. We have blind men steering the ship people!

ADS

December 28th, 2011
7:20 pm

How is winning one game better than the past two years when last year they got a bye which is basically like winning a game to get to round 2?

Mark

December 28th, 2011
7:23 pm

Does anyone ever think that maybe the reason john abraham and edwards are not getting pressure against teams like bg, no etc is because those teams have BETTER O lineman and those o lineman are BETTER at their job than ja and re are? It’s not that complicated.

Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR

December 28th, 2011
8:10 pm

One of the most overrated team in the league. A Mike Smith Team can not win in the playoff. Ever! Reminds me of Bob Cox of the Atlants Braves. Overhyped by the news media.

Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR

December 28th, 2011
8:12 pm

Saints wins Divisions. And the Super Bowl.Falcons choke

Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR

December 28th, 2011
8:12 pm

Enough said!

early exit

December 28th, 2011
8:29 pm

falcons go out quick in round one again–but the homer atl media will suck up to blank and smith and declare it a “great” season!!! the difference in champions and losers.

We need a dominant "D" or an elite QB

December 28th, 2011
8:32 pm

How is winning one game better than the past two years when last year they got a bye which is basically like winning a game to get to round 2?

——————————————-

And people wonder why some Falcons fans are called delusional

Delbert D.

December 28th, 2011
8:33 pm

If the Falcons win 1 more game, they will exactly match my preseason expectations for wins. I didn’t think it would get them to the playoffs, though.

Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR

December 28th, 2011
8:34 pm

Another failure by Michael Smith! Yet again. Go Saints!

Furman Bitcher

December 28th, 2011
8:37 pm

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
8:53 pm

Falcants fans love LOSERS that’s why they support CHOKE.

The last playoff win was 8 years ago, but that’s okay with them because they have their idol.

LOSERS love LOSERS :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan is an idiot

December 28th, 2011
8:55 pm

That’s all!

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
8:58 pm

The Falcants will always play second fiddle to Mike Vick, no matter how much it angers the LOSERS
in this city. Outside of Atlanta the CHOKE led Falcants are not respected.

I mean just look at the Pro Bowl, the so called image bowl. The Eagles are not even going to the
playoffs and they are sending 3 players to the Pro Bowl and the Falcants are sending a soon to
retire tight end.

Look at ESPN, they are already running a full page article on Mike Vick & Cam Newton, because
Mike Vick and Cam Newton sells, and CHOKE just plain SUCKS & FAILS :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan is an idiot

December 28th, 2011
8:59 pm

And he likes little boys too!

Michael M.

December 28th, 2011
9:06 pm

I am no coward here and tell my pick…………..winning it all………..third go at it and time to put up or shut up and don’t even make a playoff appearance next year if they just doing one and done over and over again .

Michael M.

December 28th, 2011
9:09 pm

@ Matt “CHOKE” Ryan……..see a lot of you on here and some of the stupid comments you make so I thought i try you on for size buster……….can you tell me which freight train you fell off drunk on and ended up in our fair City ?

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 28th, 2011
9:15 pm

“CHOKE SWAN SONG”?

Hey yo yo my name is Matty Ice

I straight up suck, but my dumb fans think my game is nice.

My arm is so weak, oh the ghost of Mike Vick haunts me in my dreams

Winning play off games, so easy that dude made it seem.

But you I aint down with running, I still get paid

While yall fools hate on Vick, I’m relaxing in the shade.

Yeah my arm may be weak

But my fans still blow up my tweets.

Playoffs? Man you straight up tripping

Stealing Arts money, that’s what I’m dealing.

In the no huddle, I just copy ole Manning

Hell no, hitting Gonzalez is the only thing I was planning.

Roddy & Julio gets mad, cause I don’t go deep

But going deep, only in my sleep.

Yo, I’m out!

Michael M.

December 28th, 2011
9:18 pm

Go figure …………….another typical idiot !

Time to Rise Up Atlanta Falcons ! Just show us !

chris

December 28th, 2011
9:20 pm

for someone who has watched the falcons never put two winning seasons back to back for nearly two decades then make playoffs 3 out of 4 years i think making playoffs is at least a sign of success even though we all long for a super bowl win mid February. Yes this team has holes and can certainly improve. Yes the Saints looked like they were playing Tech’s Jr. Varsity squad Monday night. And the fact we may be back at Superdome in two weeks does not bode well for our playoff chances doesnt take away from what I feel is a good year for this franchise. Yes the bar has been raised under Dimitroff and Smith. But I am afraid we are becoming like the Braves fans of the 90s who got so accustomed to the team going to the playoffs year after year then bitching they didnt win em all to come to realizations the past five years as to the significance that its not a given ANY team makes it to the post season 14 straight years on any level. I feel we need to appreciate the fact we have had four consistently winning seasons and three trips to the playoffs win lose or draw. Yes I’d like to see us do better in the post season but its just good to know we’re IN period. A few weeks ago I dont think any of us was sure we’d even make it period. Enjoy the moment, roll the dice and hope for the best. It’s the NFL and not to sound like a cliche’ but on “any given Sunday you’re either going to win or lose, it’s whether u win or lose like a man.” Rock and Roll Sunday, hope the Lions go down in Green Bay and head to NY or Dallas the 8th

DetroitBraves

December 28th, 2011
9:37 pm

If asked at the beginning of the season I would have seen winning only one game as disappointing. Now? If that one win comes against New Orleans or S.F. I would be happy with that. I would also be pretty darn surprised. A win against Dallas or N.Y. would at least be a playoff win for this group but those teams aren’t all that good either, probably worse than Atlanta, and would do nothing to make me think the Falcons are any closer to making a serious run. Don’t need a championship necessarily this season but there needs to be something to make us think the team is close to making a big run in subsequent seasons. Even a hard-fought, close one and done loss to one of the conference elites in my mind is better than a win against a weaker team from the East if it’s followed by a poor effort in New Orleans or Green Bay.

Remember

December 28th, 2011
9:45 pm

Yall Falcons fans don’t forget where we were before Ryan and Smith. They have led us to 2 playoff games. Yeh Ryan is 0-2 in the playoffs but he got beat in his rockie year. He is also 300 yards away rom braking the record for falcons qb yards of all time. He is gonna gonna be a beast in few seasons. It took Payton manning 6 seasons to win a playoff game Ryan still has 2 extra to go. Falcons need a new DC and OC coaches as both suck and have no passion to do anything. Also TD needs to get better scouts. Falcons are a few moves away from winning the Super Bowl! Believe. Also why are y’all so down because of 1 lose. Falcons almost won that first game and the game against green bay was on Mularky. Falcons are awesome and stop taking crap from these Aints fans!

dbird1

December 28th, 2011
9:57 pm

Mr. SaintsFan Jr. = class. thank you sir

DetroitBraves

December 28th, 2011
9:59 pm

@remember, you’re right, of course, about the Falcons being much better now than…well….ever. I appreciate that they are finally a legitimate franchise but let’s not settle for this. Coming off of 13-3 the goals are much loftier than coming off of the Vick/Petrino fiasco, or most seasons that came before that. So in that context, this season has been disappointing so far and more of the same would also be disappointing. Bad? No. But mildly disappointing. Just how it goes. But I totally agree with you on OC and DC. It may be that some of the players just aren’t as good as we all thought but I would like to see what other minds can do with them before making that judgement.

St Simons - we're on Island time

December 28th, 2011
10:16 pm

Success would be one draft choice or trade – ONE, that was worth it

still zero, after 45 years

GameChanger

December 28th, 2011
10:30 pm

Thre is NO WAY this team can beat New Orleans or Green Bay. The coaching staff and the players are not on the same page or just not up to the task. Did you see the DB’s out of position all night. New Orleans receivers wide open and the DB’s just let them run free. Why?

Here’s the call. Pick the closest guy to you and follow his A** around. Is that too tough of an assignment? For Dunta it seems to be. How many times did he release the receiver looking for help? There might not be any help. Stay with the guy even if you get help.

Forget the zone. Rogers and Brees can pick that apart. Go man to man and blitz, it’s the only way to have a chance. Could it be any worse than what we just saw Monday night?

vuduchld

December 28th, 2011
10:41 pm

I see nothing in this team that gets them past the second round and it will been a stretch for them to win their first playoff game. People, this is who the Falcons are, always has been and always will be. GET USED TO IT!!!

MG3

December 28th, 2011
10:44 pm

Agree with game hanger…our zone D is getting picked apart anyway so blitz the house and rough up the opposing QB! I’d rather see a few late hit penalties and at least know the pressure is being felt.

MG3

December 28th, 2011
10:45 pm

Gamechanger…

cdog

December 28th, 2011
10:45 pm

falcons, please set your runs and passes up. don’t just call plays just to be calling plays.get the ball down the field, oline, block, block.execute fundamentals and we win going away.mike smith stop smiling so much while you let the officials cheat and take your games.i’ve never seen someone get flagged for making a tackle or jump offside right in front of an official and you just sit there smiling.coach the game the way you know you can.

MG3

December 28th, 2011
10:49 pm

Not to be argumentative but this is certainly not who we always have been. Back to back playoff appearances is light years from where this team ever was. I’ll gladly get used to consistently making the tournament. We are in and anything can happen.

Remember

December 28th, 2011
10:56 pm

@ vuduchild. Well ur Aints just became good and now u are bitching at a Falcons paper. The Falcons are very capable of beating ur Aints. Its hard to beat a team 3 times in the same season. If the Falcons come fired up they will win. After a few seasons Brees is going to retire. Well that’s basically ur whole team. Why u even on here? Aints have no brain cells!

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 28th, 2011
11:00 pm

To all the Falcon fans who attack the city of New Orleans because of a lost football game, please understand that our city is like any other big city in america. we have a high crime rate, murder rate , certain parts of the city that smells and is dirty because of the numerous tourist who come to New Orleans to let their hair down, who get drunk and vomit and sh$$ and piss on our streets and go back home and say how foul and how dirty our city is.We are not proud of the high crime rate or the murders , the filth and like any other city we would like to see changes. Don’t attack what you don’t know, we have great hard working people who work hard to take care of their families, we want the very best for our city and america as a whole which you are a part of.This was only a game and thats all it will ever be, so no personal insults just stick to sports and let the polticians worry about the big stuff.

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 28th, 2011
11:00 pm

To all the Falcon fans who attack the city of New Orleans because of a lost football game, please understand that our city is like any other big city in america. we have a high crime rate, murder rate , certain parts of the city that smells and is dirty because of the numerous tourist who come to New Orleans to let their hair down, who get drunk and vomit and sh$$ and piss on our streets and go back home and say how foul and how dirty our city is.We are not proud of the high crime rate or the murders , the filth and like any other city we would like to see changes. Don’t attack what you don’t know, we have great hard working people who work hard to take care of their families, we want the very best for our city and america as a whole which you are a part of.This was only a game and thats all it will ever be, so no personal insults just stick to sports and let the polticians worry about the big stuff.

JoFo

December 28th, 2011
11:08 pm

“Say It Aint So”, you said, “First the Bucs won a Super Bowl, then New Orleans. The door is closing quickly, Carolina may be closer to winning a championship than we are. Extremely hard to be a sports fan in Atlanta. Hope we don’t get smashed again. Mike Smith is too damn nice. We need to be hated like all the successful teams are”. My response is you are so right!
On NOLA.com they have “sportswriters” talking about how Drew Brees decision to go for the record late and with a 21 point lead was perfectly fine and “had nothing to do with the FALCONS” and was not about them but about the sAINTS march to greatness and into history!!! In fact, “they” are wrong as it did, IN FACT, show a complete lack of class and was no more than running up a score and piling on further embarrassment!

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 28th, 2011
11:20 pm

Mr Jofo, the Saints broke the record not to embarrass the Falcons. the fans, or the city of Atlanta. It was done because he only needed 30 yards, also toget that damn record out of the way so they can concentrate on the playoffs.The record just happened to be broken on your team and thats the reason for all the bitterness and the personal attack on the Saints, coaches, and the city of New Orleans. Now I need a real honest Falcon fan to answer this question truthfullly,if Matt Ryan had the same opportunity Monday night and needed only 30 yards to do it that you would have wanted to see him get that record against the Saints? I can answer that for you HELL YEAH!.

Greg Mendel

December 28th, 2011
11:34 pm

The Falcons have proven to be an inconsistent team in 2011. That means they could ‘inconsistently” win at least one playoff game. The Saints are very, very good, but could suddenly revert to the same team that lost to the Rams and the Seahawks.

PS to MrSaintsFan Jr: You’re absolutely right about mindless stereotypes and hatred. As I’ve said before, I like New Orleans and respect the Saints. It’s just a game.

The Peach State

December 29th, 2011
12:10 am

MrSaintsFan Jr, unfortunately ignorance is a willful act and it also generational! A clever way to control folks is to keep them stuck on stupid….Your seeing a taste of it on this blog….The enemy is brilliant you know?

Chris WHODAT

December 29th, 2011
12:21 am

Quit calling it running up the score AJC. We score that TD if we hand it off 5 times too. Were we supposed to run victory formation with over 3 minutes left? Bunch of cry babies is what’s up. You guys act like us kicking your ass is going to be extra motivation. If you need extra motivation in the playoffs against your division rival, then you just aint that good. There is no way Saints fall short of the NFC championship this year. Dirty Birds will NOT be that 6th seed. Saints are to the Falcons what the Niners were to the Saints in the late 80’s early 90’s, alot F*#@$*&%! better! WHO DAT!!!

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
12:42 am

So many sad faces…………….

For the past 4 seasons, just like clock work your hopes are taken away like Scrooge :)

I told you CLOWNS the Mike Vick Curse is in full effect :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
12:44 am

CHOKE gives you DELUSIONAL dreamers just enough stats to get your hopes up, but in
the end he just RIPS out your hearts like your prom date :)

Chris WHODAT

December 29th, 2011
1:06 am

Oh and for the record. I don’t hate anyone from Atlanta. I don’t hate any of the players, well maybe Roddy White. But I DO hate the FALCONS!!!! And S%&* Talking is the best part of the Rivalry, so you sissy ass crybabies need to bow down and kiss the ring, because we are going to hang 50 on you in round 1!

m man

December 29th, 2011
1:33 am

The Braves,Falcons & Hawks are all winning teams but only the Hawks, Lakers & Celtics have made the second round of the playoffs for the last 3 years in a row. Last year & Hawks had more second round wins then the Lakers & Celtics combined. Yet Shultz has stated that the Hawks management is the worst in pro sports. A statement lacking even a shred of journalistic integrity.
Arthur Blank is a directer of the company that owns the paper that employees Jeff Shultz which could be why he is so selective in choosing the teams he unfairly attacks.

ANT MAN

December 29th, 2011
2:13 am

The Falcons have done just about all they can do with what they haveto work with. They can only hope for a better coaching staff for nesxt season. another thing, the falcons are stuck on moral commitments to their players, which is not a bad thing, but it doesn’t help when you are wanting a championship. The Saints got ride of Reggie Bush to get Sprolls. Don”t even think about the falcons getting a more flashy back that can be used in the capacity as Sprolls. So if you are a falcon fan you have to be satisfied just playing basic footbll and being in contention each year, or rid those conservitive coches.

Jim

December 29th, 2011
4:44 am

How about just some limited success, i.e., beat a few quality teams. This bunch of yo-yos has only dogged sorry teams, then they rant on post game shows about being able to play with anybody. This team reminds me of the old Wendy’s commerical: “Where’s the beef?”

Falcons: Play 60!

December 29th, 2011
5:13 am

“How should we define success for Falcons?”

winning seasons are in the past, it’s time to start making progress in the post season and it starts this year.

2012 is the year!

December 29th, 2011
5:27 am

ATL had a lot of bad breaks and injuries in 2011. In 2012, Atl will be a lot better and should be able to win 1 game in the playoffs!!

Mr. Charlie

December 29th, 2011
6:54 am

Good luck Saints! Hope you win it all!

DC Dirty Bird

December 29th, 2011
6:58 am

ANT MAN alludes to a point that I’ve been making for the last three years. When it comes to filling needs on our team, we are risk adversed and seem to find reasons not to pursue players that have nothing to do with playing the game. We’re always looking for the “well-rounded”/”ready-made” player. How well has that worked with P. Jerry and Sam Baker?

Saints R.E.A.M.

December 29th, 2011
6:59 am

Yes AJC…we ran up the score. We took pity just like you took pity against Jacksonville the week before. This is a gladiator sport. Like the warriors in the movie 300 say: “GIVE THEM NOTHING BUT TAKE FROM THEM EVERYTHING.”

Get on board Mike Smith or we will eat your women and children and burn down your city!!!

Saints R.E.A.M.

December 29th, 2011
7:04 am

If you didn’t want the Saints to score you should have punted the ball. Then Drew could pass for 30 yards and get the record at Midfield or so. Then they would have kneeled on the ball or just run the clock out….but you were still trying to win the game so you get what you deserved. More aggression….that’s how we play.

tom

December 29th, 2011
7:44 am

I think the Falcon’s already have acheived a good season, no matter what else happens. For the first time in their history they play sound, non gimmic football, evaluate what they do, make reasonable adjustments, and consistently move forward. Obviously some adjustments will not work and have to be changed, but for once the coaching, player evaluation, and management are all working right. I believe they will continue to improve over time if they stay on course with Dimitroff and Smtih.

Saints R.E.A.M.

December 29th, 2011
7:46 am

At least one strong playoff win and a tough loss….would be a success…and give you a true indicator where you need to improve. Falcons won’t go on a run like Greenbay did to win it all. REMEMBER…Greenbay & Arizona played that crazy playoff game where they scored a bunch of points in 2009….Greenbay lost but you could see their offense coming together. The next year they get Dom Capers on defense and they win it all in 2010.

Falcons need both defense & offensive help…..nothing is Elite about this team.

derrick

December 29th, 2011
7:59 am

It really comes down to the players willing to stand up and fight. also number #23 has to step up . The falcons need to stop with this recover two crap. also they need to practice blitzing so when they do itit will pay off!

Ivan

December 29th, 2011
8:21 am

LOL @ the mention of Vick still being here. He sure did lead that dream team of his deep into the playoffs. Oh wait…..

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
8:53 am

@Mrs. Charlie (AKA Coward)

The perfect example of a coward. Out of her mouth comes gibberish during the pre games
then when they play a “real” team he goes into hiding curled up like a wounded deer shot down
by an NRA animal abuser :)

He shows up at the end of the blogs, dodging and facing the music that he orchestrated during
the previous days. He shows up when the fires simmer down, but will re-kindle one more time
and then go into his annual hibernation after another melt down by the CHOKE master.

Mrs. Charlie if you can’t take the heat, keep your sissy ole butt out of the kitchen. Just like CHOKE you quit your team and leave them to handle all of the bashing and criticism earned by another CHOKE.

Well done Mrs. Coward – Well done :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
8:57 am

Ivan

December 29th, 2011
8:21 am

LOL @ the mention of Vick still being here. He sure did lead that dream team of his deep into the playoffs. Oh wait…..

____________________________________________________-

Did you see that BEAUTIFUL front page on the ESPN website of Cam Newton & Mike Vick of
teams most poised to make an impact in 2012.

Even in a losing season, Mike Vick is always the favorite, and nothing bothers you more :)

A losing team sending more pro bowlers to Hawaii than the insignificant Falcants :)

One pro bowler? Are you serious? HA HA HA :)

Only in this city would they start a 3rd stringer as their franchise qb :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
8:58 am

A MESSAGE FROM MIKE VICK:

I won the last playoff game for this sorry city 8 years ago.

Why is it taking so long :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
9:01 am

What’s the matter Falcants fans?

Why all the sad faces?

Cheer up, there is always the draft. Oh that’s right your draft is in Cleveland :)

Your free agent signings suck and no draft, what a combination. :)

The free fall has started and what a bumpy road is in store.

Will Art Blank stay quiet this off season?

Well you can’t trade CHOKE because he has ZERO trade value.

Sorry Art, you are stuck with the CHOKE for another season :)

ShempHoward

December 29th, 2011
9:37 am

Mike Smith is FINALLY on the HOT SEAT where he belongs. To try and peddle a pathetic product like the falcons who are so weak that they had to struggle and rally just to come from behind and beat a carolina team. They barely held on for dear life to beat seattle when they started out with such a big lead. All the signs are negative and pointing in the wrong direction for the Falcons. The Falcons like EXPLOSIVENESS, CONFIDENCE, GUTS AND GENERAL TENACITY and are playing like lambs instead of flexing their muscles like tigers. The Falcons have the talent to win the superbowl, but until the talent is coached properly, IT WILL GO TO WASTE AND THE SEASON WILL BE A COMPLETE WASTE. The falcons talent is just as scary as the Eagles. Its just that the eagles have a great coach in andy reid and the falcons have a marshmello and vanilla coach in Mike Smith. MIKE SMITH NEEDS TO BE FIRED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE!

Jerome

December 29th, 2011
9:55 am

@ Chop-It-Up All-Star, to any team in the NFL, anything less than a Super Bowl appearance/victory is a disappointment. Anyway I think this team has had success with what we have. You all forget, this is the NFL, all teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl every year but because of injuries and other factors, some great teams fall and some suprise team rises and makes a run deep in the playoffs. I am happy we are a playoff contender every year, Some people on this blog didn’t have a good Christmas so they are using the Falcons as their outlet. I believe we will be sucessful in the near future and Carolina still has a long way to go before they can even hold the Falcons jock.

evermax

December 29th, 2011
9:58 am

in a city like atl (loserville) just having a winning record is a huge season!!! have a parade!!!

Jerome

December 29th, 2011
10:04 am

@ShempHoward, You must have been hitting the crack pipe this morning because you are an idiot or under the influence of something if you think that we need to fire Mike Smith, the most successful coach in the franchises history. We still need pieces on defense and the offensive line before we can make a legitimate run. Ryan cannot have success if he does not have the protection he needs to throw the ball. We need to get pressure on the QB in order to play the type of defensive scheme we have in play. A playoff win or two will be great but I will not be disappointed if we lost in the first round. I will be back in the dome next year ready for a playoff run no matter what.

Mr Charlie

December 29th, 2011
10:18 am

Someone is using my screen name….Nothing says you have been beaten to a pulp like having to steal your adversaries screen name since your own screen name has been stripped of credibility.

Choke, Know that I’m sayin?

Mr Charlie

December 29th, 2011
10:21 am

Sorry I have not been able to keep you entertained during the game Choke, but I do have places to be during the games….Anyway, since you miss me so much, is that you posting under my screen name?

Mr Charlie

December 29th, 2011
10:21 am

Sorry I have not been able to keep you entertained during the game Choke, but I do have places to be during the games….Anyway, since you miss me so much, is that you posting under my screen name?

Do u have season tics?

December 29th, 2011
10:30 am

I have season tickets to college but never to any Atlanta pro teams.
They do not win enough championships. (one by Braves)
And for the Falcons, every last season has ended up without a Superbowl win.
Had I been a season ticket holder, that fact would had lost me.
End of season every time with people like me celebrating but never me.
I’m too smart for the product the Falcons have offered.
Dimi is just training here to get a job elsewhere.
He doesn’t compare with Green Bay’s GM who last year overcame an onslaught of injuries but still had the depth to win the Superbowl.

ShempHoward

December 29th, 2011
10:34 am

Asking and calling for coach smith’s dismissal is not something I wrote as a blog to stir things up. I think the Falcon fans have been DUPED into believing that they have a competitive team that is on the rise and can compete and become an ELITE TEAM. I watched the pre-game show a few weeks ago on the NFL network when the Falcons were playing against a Houston club that was starting their THIRD-STRING QB. All 5 of the guys in the studio picked the Falcons because it was a logical pick and all the falcons had to do was play up to their capabilities and potential and the Falcons should have CRUSHED THE TEXAS who were playing MINUS Matt Lineart (#2 QB) and Matt Schaub (#1 QB). This was an easy game for the Falcons and it could be that they looked past the Texans to the next game and came out completely unprepared. They got thoroughly beaten by the Texans and it was a major setback and an embarrassment for the franchise. Then we come out against new orleans and look like we are the worst team in the league. If I had known that those two losses were coming, I would have encouraged the falcons to do like the colts and just start the season on a losing campaign–and compete in the SUCK FOR LUCK SWEEPSTAKES for the sensational, cant-miss future hall of fame prospect Andrew Luck. The Falcons would be so much better off with Andrew Luck versus Matty “Choke” Ryan. Luck is a better talent than Ryan and Ryan will never work enough to be even a mediocre talent.

Steve-O

December 29th, 2011
10:50 am

Matt “CHOKE” Ryan

December 28th, 2011
10:55 am

Winning in the playoffs is the only success.

Just getting there and choking is for Atlanta fans because they are not ambitious.

All they care about is having a qb that looks like them.

Even if he SUCKSSS :)
__________________________________________________________________________________

Nice racist rant, Choke.

Steve-O

December 29th, 2011
10:53 am

Asking and calling for coach smith’s dismissal is not something I wrote as a blog to stir things up. I think the Falcon fans have been DUPED into believing that they have a competitive team that is on the rise and can compete and become an ELITE TEAM. I watched the pre-game show a few weeks ago on the NFL network when the Falcons were playing against a Houston club that was starting their THIRD-STRING QB. All 5 of the guys in the studio picked the Falcons because it was a logical pick and all the falcons had to do was play up to their capabilities and potential and the Falcons should have CRUSHED THE TEXAS who were playing MINUS Matt Lineart (#2 QB) and Matt Schaub (#1 QB). This was an easy game for the Falcons and it could be that they looked past the Texans to the next game and came out completely unprepared. They got thoroughly beaten by the Texans and it was a major setback and an embarrassment for the franchise. Then we come out against new orleans and look like we are the worst team in the league. If I had known that those two losses were coming, I would have encouraged the falcons to do like the colts and just start the season on a losing campaign–and compete in the SUCK FOR LUCK SWEEPSTAKES for the sensational, cant-miss future hall of fame prospect Andrew Luck. The Falcons would be so much better off with Andrew Luck versus Matty “Choke” Ryan. Luck is a better talent than Ryan and Ryan will never work enough to be even a mediocre talent.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Everyone has an a-hole and an opinion. How do you explain Ryan’s winning record, then? Sure is mediocre.

Gafan

December 29th, 2011
10:58 am

Super Bowl or Bust. Anything less is a failure. Nobody remembers who won a playoff game.

James Mcmullen

December 29th, 2011
10:58 am

What do Falcons do?…..Play 1 quarter in meaningful games.
What do Falcons need?…..A strong physical and mental fitness program…

Gafan

December 29th, 2011
10:59 am

We need a DEFENSE.

SavDawg

December 29th, 2011
10:59 am

Micheal’s 10:40 am post is right on the money!!

Gafan

December 29th, 2011
11:02 am

CHOKE, your mother is calling. You’re gonna get a spakin again.

Section 322 Row 7

December 29th, 2011
11:04 am

Anything other than a ring means that you are not a true competitor.

ShempHoward

December 29th, 2011
11:16 am

Steve-O. Ok. I guess you can tell my frustration with the falcons, but even though matt ryan has a great winning record, HOW COME RYAN DOESNT EVER SAY IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCES AFTER HE HAS THROWN THREE PICKS (interceptions) in a game and say, Hey, I stunk up the joint tonight and played like crap. I apologize for it and I will work harder next week and prepare so that it doesnt happen again. Matt Ryan never apologizes for his MEDIOCRE WORK.

Brandon

December 29th, 2011
11:51 am

No matter how much Falcons fans want to point the finger at Matt Ryan, he’s not the reason why the Falcons aren’t elite–it’s the Defense, plain and simple. If the Falcons had an “A-” or better D, Ryan could win a SB. The problem is that the D likely grades a “C+”. There is no #1 CB (Robinson is at best a #2 CB, but getting paid #1 CB money), Abraham is no longer a stud DE, so the pass rush is weak, plus it would be ideal to have 1 stud DE and 1 good/solid DE in any event, the DT’s are average, and the linebacker crew is hardly the ‘85 Bears or ‘87 Giants. The team needs at least 5 pieces on D, and that’s a lot. For all of the Julio Jones apologists who like to project him out to a full season of stats, the bottom line is that the “injury-prone” tag has to part of a complete analysis–you can’t simply project out an injury-prone guy or JD Drew would be a HOF’er. Plus, 5 picks including 2012’s #1 has to be part of the analysis too–I would love a rookie Mantle card, but I’d rather pay FMV or a slight premium, not 3x the value. Price matters. Also, if you accept White as a #1 WR, then you have to acknowledge that you paid for a #2 WR. With 53 spots and the need for D, that’s just a poor allocation of resources. The Falcons ARE a 9-7/10-6 team. That’s what they really are. Add 4-5 pieces on D, including a #1 CB, a killer DE and some good LB’s, and then expectations should be NFC Championship appearance or more. Look at the pieces–you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Time for Dimitroff to step up post one and done.

tman

December 29th, 2011
11:57 am

After watching a game last Monday night that was supposed to be a huge game, I realize we have to be satisfied for this season with what this team has done. They are not in any elite category of the league and aren’t going anywhere with this coaching staff or the key players they rely on. I say clean house after the season. Go after the Aint’s Gregg Williams for head coach and let him fill out the staff. Then draft over the next few years some speed at ALL positions and get an agile, athletic team. Don’t make the mistake the Braves did by being satisfied for years just to make the playoffs. Atlanta is tired of being a second rate sports town. If Blank decides to stand pat with this coaching staff, I have a novel idea. Buy some Anthony Robbins series on how to be the best at something. No need to reinvent the wheel. Find the best teams and copy their plays on offense and defense as best you can with the personnel you have. I have a feeling nobody will copy the Falcons playbook, but why aren’t we copying the Aint’s or the Pat’s?? At least there you have a similar less mobile q’back that wins. COPY what they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brandon

December 29th, 2011
12:17 pm

Tman, I share your sentiments and feel your pain, but I would do it a little differently–rather than copy the Saints and Pats, who have HOF QB’s and great OLines, I would build an elite D and take a page out of the Ravens/Steelers playbooks. If the Falxons could build a truly great D, an A-/A D with playmakers and depth, they could shut down/contain the top Offenses and score enough to win. The problem is the lack of emphasis on Defense–that’s the true sin. They traded away key picks for an injury-prone #2 WR that doesn’t technically fit Ryan’s strengths–the out-pass, screen pass/short-mid length game. Based on the QB’s talents, they need a top tier possession-type WR (think Welker/Chrebet/Irvin), 2 TE’s, and 2 RB’s–the “style” concept is all wrong for Ryan’s intangibles–you can’t make him Jim Plunkett/Dan Fouts, and you can’t think that way. Dimitroff is going to have to nail a draft–a whole draft–which he has yet to do. Sam Baker after Ryan doesn’t cut it, and Jamaal Anderson and some of the FA picks have simply missed. They need a COMPLETE draft–4-6 picks, mostly D, hitting, with an All-Pro and 1 or 2 additional (legit) PRo Bowlers.

LKW4

December 29th, 2011
12:23 pm

Falcons are missing coachs with winning experience. Winning by a lucky break don’t count. Falcons are missing a quarterback that can play at the NFL level. Matt Ryan has not grown into that quarterback in the 4 years he has been in Atlanta. Falcons need to replace lard A@@ turner with someone that can run the ball. Rogers is exciting to watch. As short as he is he shows that he is willing to take on any opponet to get the first down. Falcons are lacking the motivation and love of the game to develope into a winning team. We have lots of talent on the Falcon team that is not being utilized to the best of the teams ability. To really perform you need a quarterback that can really perform. Matt Ryan will never be that quarterback.

DC Dirty Bird

December 29th, 2011
12:25 pm

Brandon,
I think our defensive scheme has a lot to do with our team success. I agree regarding our DE’s but think that our CB’s and LB’s are fine. An upgrade at FS is much needed in lieu of CB’s. Lastly, Julio labeled as injury prone as a rookie with a limited offseason? I don’t think you miss 3 games and approach 1000 yds as a WR if you’re not a stud.

LKW4

December 29th, 2011
12:26 pm

Blank needs to give up some cash and get some real talent in here. Or is this just a tax write off for Blank since we can never make it past wild card.

kcfoster34

December 29th, 2011
12:31 pm

People who think Ryan is not a “great” quarterback need some perspective. Ryan is in his 4th NFL season, on a team that has gone through a major overhaul. People who look at Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger and say they are better quarterbacks because they won a championship early need to realize that those two players became quarterbacks on teams that were already great. Aaron Rodgers had the benefit of sitting on the bench and working his way into an already established team as well. Drew Brees showed only glimpses of brilliance in his first for years starting, and put up nowhere near the numbers Matt Ryan has in that time (Wins, QBR, td/int ratio)

Matt Ryan is on pace to be a great quarterback. He has had a GREAT season, and will continue to improve (he has every year he’s started). AND for what it’s worth? (Maybe not a lot) Matt Ryan will break every Falcons passer record and be known as the greatest Falcons quarterback of all time.

So, to the people who believe he is “mediocre”, check your stat sheets, history books etc. and try telling me what he has done in 4 years as a member of one of the most beleaguered franchises in the NFL isn’t GREAT.

Brandon

December 29th, 2011
12:42 pm

KCFoster 34:

As I’ve been saying, Matt Ryan isn’t the problem, and he’s a good QB, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call him great. Marc Bulger put up crazy stats, and a lot of QB’s are putting up big numbers in a pass happy league where the CB’s can’t breathe on guys. Ryan is good, but he needs an elite D to win a SB IMHO. He COULD develop into a great QB, though his lack of arm strength is a concern and he hasn’t won a truly big game yet. The jury is still out on his “greatness”, and as you said, the Falcons’ all-time QB isn’t much when Bartkowski, Ron Mexico and Chris Chandlier are your big 3.

MotherGoose

December 29th, 2011
12:50 pm

I disagree that the Falcons CAN’T be an elite team. I think they CAN BE and have shown flashes of brilliance and greatness this season. To be sure, the falcons record at 9-6 could easily be 12-3 for starters. If the record was that, we would be battling new orleans for the southest crown. Secondly, i think in the jacksonville game, you saw the Falcons play a solid 60 minute effort and the result was a 41-13 blowout and easy dominance of a team the falcons should beat. If you analyze the season objectively, the Falcons competed against N.O. in the first game and green bay in the first half of that game—but because the falcons DIDNT FINISH either game, those were two losses that could have been wins. Plus in the texans game–the effort simply wasnt there and the whole season would have turned if the falcons had had those three wins instead of three losses. Then going into last monday nights n.o.’s game, had the falcons come in with a 12-2 record instead of a 9-5 record AND HAD THE FALCONS PLAYED SOLID FOOTBALL WITH STELLER DEFENSE FOR 60 MINUTES, CAPITALIZING ON TURNOVER OPPORTUNITIES, the falcons could have stolen that game 34-31 instead of losing it 45-13. I’m convinced the falcons are almost there, but in order for them to “finish the drill” and become elite they would have to do three things: #1:hire a better offensive coordinator than mike mularkey; #2:run a more wide open style offense–west coast type–utilizing the passing game more on first downs and letting the receivers run crossing patterns which would guarantee that one of them would ALWAYS be open; and #3:MOVE TURNER OUT OF THE STARTING LINEUP and shove snelling into that slot as #1 fullback. If turner is a backup for a few games–turner will come back to life and play up to his normal standards so that turner can eventually win back his spot. THE FALCONS ARE CAPABLE BUT ARE UNDERACHIEVING AND PLAYING FAR BELOW THEIR CAPABILITIES. Maybe next year it will all come together.

Steve-O

December 29th, 2011
12:50 pm

ShempHoward

December 29th, 2011
11:16 am

Steve-O. Ok. I guess you can tell my frustration with the falcons, but even though matt ryan has a great winning record, HOW COME RYAN DOESNT EVER SAY IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCES AFTER HE HAS THROWN THREE PICKS (interceptions) in a game and say, Hey, I stunk up the joint tonight and played like crap. I apologize for it and I will work harder next week and prepare so that it doesnt happen again. Matt Ryan never apologizes for his MEDIOCRE WORK.
__________________________________________________________________________________

It’s because he has thrown 3 picks only once in his entire career and has 31 starts with zero picks.

Mr Charlie

December 29th, 2011
1:05 pm

Shemp, you just took a SMACKDOWN…..

Brandon

December 29th, 2011
1:10 pm

MotherGoose–I love your optimism. If you’re not a motivational speaker, then you need a career change. There were so many crucial “if’s” in your analysis, that I actually now believe that I should be in Hollywood–IF I hadn’t stopped growing in 9th grade and I were 6″3 instead of 5″10, and if I still had a full head of blonde hair instead of some recession (but overall, pretty good–and it’s still blonde), and if my last name were “Spelling”, and if I actually tried to be an actor instead of a physician, then I would be Brad Pitt. My favorite was turning the 45-13 blowout into a “coulda been”. The Falcons also “Could” have lost a few of those games that they won, and their record is benefited by 2 average–mediocre division rivals, the Panthers and the Bucs. Still, a lot better than what I’m reading on the Hawks posts–Hawks fans now believe the team is ready for a championship run after knocking off the Wizards and Nets, plus many think that Horford should not be traded in a package for Howard EVEN IF Howard signed up for mulit-yrs. Gotta love ATL sports fans!

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
1:13 pm

UH OH, another nail biter against a loser….Coach Clean Shot will see to it..

Your last hooray for the season Coach Norv Turner Jr. and then prepare to get buried the following week……….

tman

December 29th, 2011
1:22 pm

Brandon, I have no problem if they want to model a defensive style scheme. But model somebody with similar personnel or let’s start over with a GM and coach with the same vision. I’d rather start over at this point and do something drastic! I’m telling everyone right now, that we’re going to get killed by Carolina when Cam Newton gets a few more games under his belt and Brees is still young enough to kill us for years, so status quo thinking will not serve this team well. Yes, a great D would help, but with current rules against defenders (ridiculous, btw) you still won’t stop Brees and Newton. We need a totally different offensive scheme, either with or without Ryan. I like Ryan, but he’s going to have to take some dancing lessens to manuever in the pocket! The days of a pure drop back QB are gone. You have to at least consistently move UP a step or 2 when they rush!! Call me “frustrated since 1970″ when I started watching….and for the record, Bartkowski, despite his lack of mobility was the best leader this team ever had at QB.

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
1:22 pm

Saints 52 Falcons 14

Coach Smith and crew will be jettisoned..

Steve-O

December 29th, 2011
1:26 pm

CGD, much of an axe to grind? Coach Smith and Crew have had more success with this team than any administration ever. If you honestly think that 4 straight winning seasons and making the playoffs 3 out of those 4 years will get Smith and Crew or ANY coaching staff fired, you clearly have an agenda against the Falcons. Try to use a little reason and stop making the rest of us laugh with your biased vitriol.

tman

December 29th, 2011
1:32 pm

I’d rather have a team in the playoffs every other year that could WIN a playoff game than just be good enough to make it there and get killed your first game. I remember making it deeper with Chandler/Reeves, Vick/Reeves than anything with Mr. Nice Guy. Keep him on as a PR guy or something and get a kick butt head coach who really isn’t that nice once the whistle blows…

ShempHoward

December 29th, 2011
1:39 pm

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
1:22 pm

Saints 52 Falcons 14

Coach Smith and crew will be jettisoned..

—————————————–
YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY. The falcons will NEVER work hard and play up to their potential. Look what has become of “Patty Cake Turner”. Turner is as soft as tissue paper and has averaged about 1.5 yards per carry in his last 6 games. Turner should acquiesse the starting job to Snelling, because the more talented, more gifted, and more explosive Snelling can help the Falcons beat the elite teams–where Turner cant help you with that at all. Plus, if the falcons make no changes in their starting lineup, the next time the saints face us in the playoffs, the Saints will defeat the Falcons 97-3. Sell the Falcons and move them to Alaska.

JesseHester

December 29th, 2011
1:50 pm

I wish that the Falcons were 0-15. This means that they would be drafting Andrew Luck and by all preliminary accounts, Luck will probably be the greatest NFL qb that the association has ever seen. Luck would replace Ryan and we could probably trade Matt Ryan for Larry Fitzgerald and really have the speed, power and quickness to score points quickly. RYAN WILL NEVER MAKE IT IN THE NFL–BECAUSE HIS ARM IS TOO WEAK–RYAN CANT THROW MORE THAN 20 YARDS. SO FAR, MATT RYAN HAS TURNED OUT WORSE THAN RYAN LEAF WAS. OH WELL, HINDSIGHT IS 20-20.

Steve-O

December 29th, 2011
1:52 pm

JesseHester

December 29th, 2011
1:50 pm

I wish that the Falcons were 0-15. This means that they would be drafting Andrew Luck and by all preliminary accounts, Luck will probably be the greatest NFL qb that the association has ever seen. Luck would replace Ryan and we could probably trade Matt Ryan for Larry Fitzgerald and really have the speed, power and quickness to score points quickly. RYAN WILL NEVER MAKE IT IN THE NFL–BECAUSE HIS ARM IS TOO WEAK–RYAN CANT THROW MORE THAN 20 YARDS. SO FAR, MATT RYAN HAS TURNED OUT WORSE THAN RYAN LEAF WAS. OH WELL, HINDSIGHT IS 20-20.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Care to elaborate on your LSD-induced post? Please expand on why Ryan Leaf’s career was better than Ryan’s.

C from Marietta

December 29th, 2011
2:01 pm

@ ShempHoward

Michael Turner is averging 3.6 yards a carry over the last six games

105 attempts 380 yards in the last six game.
Against NO 11 39 yards

Don’t let facts get in the way of your tempter tantrum.

dr

December 29th, 2011
2:01 pm

We should abandoned the zone defense and try the bump and run. Anything to slow down the receiviers. Smart quarterbacks and good receivers see right through what we are doing. What do we have to lose. Man up!!!!!!!!!!

C from Marietta

December 29th, 2011
2:04 pm

People Matt Ryan has over 4x passing yards. Again, don’t let facts get in the way of your temper tantrums.

dr

December 29th, 2011
2:06 pm

Dump the “burner”. He is burned out. He has no ability to break it outside. If you watch any game there are frequently opportunities on the outside if the back has any speed to change directions and get to the outside. His time has passed.

C from Marietta

December 29th, 2011
2:10 pm

Matt Ryan is currently 10th in passer rating. Puts him in the top 1/3 doesn’t it?
Matt Ryan is currently 7th in passing yards. Puts him in the top 25% doesn’t it?
Matt Ryan is currently 6th in TD passes. Puts him in the top 25% doesn’t it?

AGAIN- NOT HIS FAULT! Don’t know what you game you guys were watching. He made big plays, but they were called back by stupid pentalies. How is this Matt Ryan’s faults.

AGAIN- DON’T FACTS GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR TEMPTER TANTRUMS.

Die Hard Falcon

December 29th, 2011
2:11 pm

I believe that Grimes is a #1 corner, I don’t think he’s top 5, but I think he’s a legitimate #1 CB. I also think our LB’s our solid, Spoon & Lofton are studs and got snubbed by the pro bowl voters. I totally agree that we need a pass rusher at DE, we’ve been very ineffective at getting sacks and helping out the secondary. So I believe our defense is more like 2 (3 tops)players from being successful, a true force at DE, and 1 more solid corner and quite possibly a better FS.

C from Marietta

December 29th, 2011
2:24 pm

@ Choke

Your an idiot. Everyone knows YOUR THE LOSER. LOL

C from Marietta

December 29th, 2011
2:26 pm

@ Die Hard Falcon Fan

Your right. A CB, FS, DE away from a great defense. On the plus side the LB corps are young and will only get better.

Tojo

December 29th, 2011
2:31 pm

A little voice keeps saying, “maybe that was a little rope-a-dope Monday night…maybe they know to beat Brees they have to bring blitzes and take their chances with man coverage, but they didn’t want to show it to them yet, since this game was less important than a future one would be. Maybe they were holding some things back on offense, some looks and plays they haven’t shown ANYONE yet because they learned their lesson from last year…save something different for the playoffs”.
It’s a very small voice, and I’m trying to ignore it.

damngooddawg!

December 29th, 2011
2:42 pm

Stop phoning it in on Monday Night Football against our arch rival, the Saints!!!!

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 29th, 2011
3:03 pm

@tojo a voice huh? what else do you hear? next you will say i see dead people.

Die Hard Falcon

December 29th, 2011
3:10 pm

To all the Matt Ryan haters out there I can only say 1 of 2 things depending on the “reasoning” behind your contempt for our up-and-coming QB– Either it’s an idiotic racial issue and there’s no room for that in this day and age, or you just aren’t dealing in the facts (stats, comparisons).
I don’t need to say anymore to any racists, not worth it. As for those who just don’t think he’s anything, I don’t get where it’s coming from, I don’t think he’s top 5 yet, but he’s definitely top 10. The stats speak to this, the winning % speaks to it, the ONLY thing empirical that anyone can say is he’s 0-2 in the playoffs. So what, it’s 2 games thus far, he WILL win in the playoffs, I will bet anyone on that. Other than that he’s been all anyone could ask for and more in his first 4 years. I’ll ride w/ him all day.

Go Falcons! Go Matty Ice!

fan man

December 29th, 2011
3:13 pm

Win a playoff game ! You can bet the talking heads will beat that one to death if we don’t.It will be just like “they never had two winning seasons in a row” Every week next year we will here it till finally Smiths birds win a playoff game if we don’t win one this year.

Mr. Panic Button

December 29th, 2011
3:13 pm

ShempHoward: “Its just that the eagles have a great coach in andy reid and the falcons have a marshmello and vanilla coach in Mike Smith. MIKE SMITH NEEDS TO BE FIRED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE!” I couldn’t agree with you more! A team takes on the personality of its HC and Mike Smith is the epitome of conservative and has as much aggression as a lamb (HE’S SOFT!!!). This team needs a HC that gets in his staff’s A$$ and holds them accountable. Smith is a former DC why don’t you take over the defensive playcalling if BVG can’t get the job done? If it’s not the scheme then why select the players you and TD did that doesn’t match the type of defense you’re trying to build? You all can praise Smitty all you want for giving this team back-to-back winning seasons and taking the team to the playoffs–THAT’S WHAT A HC IS SUPPOSE TO DO!!! Is it our fault the previous and current ownership kept hiring JackA$$es to run their team?

Ivan

December 29th, 2011
3:23 pm

ROFL!! Choke gets choked up by seeing his main crush on ESPN!! Forget not making the playoffs. Forget leading an all-star “dream team” to the LOSERS bracket. Him gotta picture!! :)

It’ll be ok. There’s always next season for losers.

Mr. Panic Button

December 29th, 2011
3:30 pm

I’m still pissed that we don’t have a coaching staff with common sense, can create a sound game plan to attack a team’s weakness, or make in-game adjustments to counter what the opponent is doing. I don’t want to hear anymore of B.S. about Smith winning in the past. This team has too much talent offensively not to score 28 or more points a game. Build the lines FIRST and find a ball hawking FS, a quicker MLB than Lofton, a Big Body NT in the middle and we should be fine with the RIGHT coaches.

Mr. SaintsFan Jr.

December 29th, 2011
3:40 pm

Matt Ryan is a good QB, but he’s more of a system QB and he needs a system that will fit his abilities.He may not be a long ball QB,as I have seen him play, a short passing game wil fit him well.

Mr. Panic Button

December 29th, 2011
3:58 pm

We don’t know what Matt Ryan can truly be without a real OC that calls plays to his strengths. Matt does need to work on his footwork, timing, and accuracy in the off season.

NO1 FALCONFAN

December 29th, 2011
4:01 pm

i was very dissapointed in the way the falcons played against the hated ,arrogant aints in the fema hut(superless dome)..get a better quaterback that can scramble and throw the ball down the field..get some defense..IN THIS ECONOMY AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW I I SO ANGRY WITH THE FALCONS PLAY AGAINST THE GHETTO THUG AINTS AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER THAT I WILL NOT RENEW MY SEASON TICKETS NEXT YEAR!!TOO MANY OTHER THINGS TO DO WITH THAT MONEY TOO WATCH A TEAM JUST LET THEIR HATED RIVALS HAVE THEIR WAY WITH THEM ON THE BIG STAGE…THE AINTS NOT ONLY DISRESPECTED THE FALCONS BY RUNNING UP THE SCORE BUT HUMILIATED THEM AND MAT RYAN AND THE FALCON CREW WERE FINE WITH IT..I LIKE TO GET WHAT I PAY FOR NOT A BUNCH OF MILLIONARES PLAYING LIKE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM..

Falconidiot

December 29th, 2011
4:32 pm

Blank guaranteed we were going to play in that Superbowl in Tampa, remember and still hasn’t delivered and won’t with these coaches. Coughlin, Cowher, Gruden, Fischer four coaches that may be available that have been there and know how to use talent. Ask your self are any of these coaches as mellow as Smith. The Falcons need a boot in the ass by a coach that is willing.

dirty bird counselor

December 29th, 2011
4:51 pm

let me tell you whats wrong with da falcons this team has no heart in playing hard each sunday they injoy losing to spot light team swhats wrong with this coaching staff we need coachs that like winning every game we need running backs getting first downs not slow tipping turner and new coachs in your face coaches and a quarterback with running heart and leadership we are tired of dirty bird excuses success starts with coaches

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
4:52 pm

0-3 in playoffs.

Only stat that matters.

2004 is a long time to wait :)

dirty bird counselor

December 29th, 2011
5:01 pm

start firing coaches and sorry players that are here for da money but not to play hard they cant protect the dome from losing games are these players cowards in da flesh athur blank fire everybody and start over new talent on the field

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
5:14 pm

Arthur shooting Blanks!

He’s on a roll now.. two playoff wins in 10 years thanks to Dan Reeve brilliant football mind!!!!!!!
Hire Dan Reeve to take it all the way . Its apparent Rich McKay, Dimitroff, Coach Smith and Melt can’t..But great regular season wins.. a bunch of regular guys?

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
5:16 pm

Blowouts against the winners is a major coaching problem..GET IT???????????????

Biggest Falcon Fanatic

December 29th, 2011
5:22 pm

Has anyone besides me thought if getting Jack Del Rio as our D-coordinator is a possibility? With his ties with Coach Smith, this could be a great change for our defense.

DelorisWatkins

December 29th, 2011
5:24 pm

I know the falcons got EMBARRASSED on monday night against the saints, but some of the falcon player reactions after the game simply just made me want to throw up. One falcon player (who will remain nameless) said, I hope we face the saints in the playoffs because it is there where we will get revenge. Look, you just got slaughtered on national tv 45-13 and saints could have ran the score up to 70-13 if they wanted to. I believe that beating has FINALLY HUMBLED SOME OF THE PLAYERS becuase i noticed that Ryan and roddy white werent spouting off at the mouth like they normally do after a loss. Both are quick to sweep losses under the rug and then act as if they played great but made too many mistakes to win as opposed to the other team kicking their rear ends. WHATS SAD ABOUT THE FALCONS IS THAT THEY HAVE THE TALENT THIS YEAR TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL. I AM CONVINCED OF THAT. THE FALCONS CAN BE AS EXPLOSIVE AS, IN MY OPINION, THE FOUR MOST EXPLOSIVE TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE: EAGLES, PATRIOTS, PACKERS AND SAINTS. THE FALCONS CAN BEAT ALL FOUR OF THOSE TEAMS (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) SO THAT PROVES TO ME THAT THEY CAN BE WORLD CHAMPIONS. The Falcons problem is not physical. The Falcons problem is mental. Inside the falcons heads–they think they are doormats and continue to play like they are. The falcon players needs to see shrinks to clear their heads and their thinking. The Falcons feel INFERIOR to opponents and continue to play like it. The Falcons are much more explosive than they were last year—with rookie wideout Julio Jones leading the way. If the Falcons would concentrate on doing well on first downs–leaving them second and shorts and third and short-yardage situations–they would score more often and would outscore their opponents. There is a chance that the falcons will FLIP THE SWITCH like they did in the Jacksonville game and start playing like world beaters. Stay tuned—playoffs coming next.

Dick M

December 29th, 2011
5:34 pm

Let’s face the facts. Our Falcons just don’t have the horses to compete with the “winning” teams in the league. You need proof? Just look at the Pro-Bowl Roster. How many Falcons do you see listed? Enough said. Until we get some upper echelon players we are going to remain a mediocre team of lower tier personnel.

CGD..

December 29th, 2011
6:11 pm

Andrew Luck would be an upgrade?

cedrick

December 29th, 2011
7:53 pm

Okay, you have made some good points. If the coach can have the team “PREPARED” to play and win big games. Matt Ryan has not won a substantial big game yet in his career and Coach Smith has not proven he can out class any team better (record wise) than the Falcons. These have been some disappointing Falcons this year!!

ATL = loserville

December 29th, 2011
7:58 pm

“winning season” = success

the reason THE ATL = loserville

Draft Luck

December 29th, 2011
7:59 pm

sell the house, give away a bunch of players and picks and draft A. Luck—dump ryan and get some Dline help. Ryan is mediocre and will not win playoff games.

Nerehere

December 29th, 2011
8:20 pm

A response to D. Orlando Ledbetter’s article on the Falcons ground attack missing.
Here are some excerpts:

Taking note of the low rushing outputs, the coaching staff underwent a running-game system-check this week. They also want to run should they have to play outdoors in cold weather.

“We’re going to be getting on a plane and going somewhere, so we want to definitely make sure that we have a real good feel for our running game,” Smith said.

Turner, who had offseason groin surgery, is not one to make excuses.

“My health has nothing to do with it,” Turner said. “It’s just the way the games have been going the past couple of weeks. In a game like New Orleans, you want to keep them off the field as much as possible, but we weren’t able to do that with the way the situations turned out in the game. But we do need more production out of the running game.”

Turner would not point to the offensive line when asked if there are holes to run through.

“That’s kind of like a trick question,” Turner said. “We just need more consistency with what we are doing and get to our good plays, our good looks that we want to run and just keep running them. Just get better at what we are doing and get our chemistry back.”

Here again, the question is: why is M. Turner being so demure when talking about issues on this his team? Part of the problem is himself, part-his O-line, and most of it rest on the coaches.

Point #2 Here we have a question about the lack of the running game directed toward the coach, Mike Smith.
His response of “We’re going to be getting on a plane and going somewhere, so we want to definitely make sure that we have a real good feel for our running game,”

This kind of response indicated to me that Mike Smith has no contro, nor no idea of this teams demise and function because-that kind of response- is likened to me asking a person inside a department store who is umbrella-less when it’s raining cats and dogs outside if they are going to bring their or purchase (if they didn’t bring one in with them) an umbrella to use when they head to their car in the parking lot. That response by Mike Smith should be elected into the “come on man!” hall of shame.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
8:33 pm

If Blank fire Mora after 3 years when he took the team to the Championship
game and their last playoff win, just imagine what will happen when Smitty and
CHOKE FAILS for the 4th straight year.

Time for the next Great Hope project :)

Damn it seemed so easy to win a playoff game without Vick…………

HA HA HA :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 29th, 2011
8:37 pm

@CGD

Remember how cool it was when Reeves/Vick went in the snow and stuck it to Favre
when no other traditional (code word) drop back passer was smart enough to figure out? :)

Remember how awesome it was when Mora/Vick stuck it to the Greatest Show on Turf
with a 40 burger :)

Oh the memories……………………

CHOKE got any memories in the playoffs? :)

Oh that PICK 6 before the half was classic :)

That safety vs the Cardinals was HILARIOUS :)

flatsdawg1

December 29th, 2011
9:14 pm

Falcons ran into a team that discovered a real good running game to complement Mr. Brees better than Marino passing attack. Scary stuff indeed. The thing about the NFL is when you play a team three times in a season and throttle them in the previous game, you tend to lose one of them especially against a good team like the falcons. If they end up playing the Saints I will be betting on the Falcons.I think NFL pride comes in to play.This playoff run is the falcons to take honestly they can go as far as anyone in the NFC.

JSS

December 29th, 2011
9:42 pm

That pee-shooter (the Falcons offense) can’t hang with the real nuclear weapon offensive teams in the league… They are just overmatched…

JSS

December 29th, 2011
9:52 pm

@ CGD and MCR…
The answer to earlier questions about the absence of the “Vocal” (I call them “Quorum”) can be found on the D3 Blog. They were hiding out there… I see they started showing up but in the columnist blogs earlier today… And if one of them lies and says he was doing something else, just check the time stamps on his posts in the D3 blog… The savor continues…

CGD..

December 30th, 2011
12:44 am

A HA! Great find my Dear Watson!^^^^

Yea the 20th century renaissance man did mention something to likes of being busy doing something else when he came out of his rabbit hole today in response to MCR.. LMFAO!

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:11 am

@ CGD…
He “defeated” everyone…

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
1:12 am

@CGD & JSS

The “Motley Crew” led by Mrs. Charlie (CHOKE’s biggest cheer leader) are COWARDS, plain and
simple.

It is so easy to talk trash about their CLOWN of a leader, but conventiently disappear when they
have to face the music.

I knew what Charlie was up to when I called him out before the start of the Saints massacre. He tried then to make an excuse that he would not be on the blog because he would be at the game
with friends, yet when he showed up from is RABBIT HOLE that he had other things to do.

He performed a similar Houdini act prior to another CHOKE melt down :)

That tells me all I need to know. He is just like CHOKE’s critics – he talks a big game, but in the end
he knows CHOKE is a FRAUD :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
1:26 am

Mr Charlie

December 27th, 2011
3:14 pm

1. 2-6 against Payton, not 2-8.

2. Agreed.

3. I was calling JJ a bust, but that is not really fair. However, the “one play away” philosophy never works. As I said on draft day, name one “blockbuster” all for trade that has ever worked out.

4. As it stands now, I would agree, however, as I said last night, in the grand scheme of things, the game was somewhat meaningless. So, before we decide that coaches need to be fired, I believe they should be evaluated after the playoffs. It we make noise in the playoffs, this game is a footnote if not, this game is a catalyst for change.

5. Bad calls for sure, untimely penalties.

6. That is what they said about Leeman Bennett, and that exact philosophy led us directly to here.

7. Really the crux of our problems.

8. As I said, this win was more needed more for us than anything. But all pretty much gets forgivin and forgotten with a few playoff wins.

In summary, you are never as bad, or as good, as you think you are. However great teams show up for big games, and we have not to date. Fortunately, unlike last year, we do need to wait 9 months to take the field again, hopefully, we will get this taste out of our mouth much sooner. Time to move on, and like everything in life, is it now what happens, but how you respond.

___________________________________________

COWARD……………………

HA HA HA :)

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:33 am

And from 3:14PM to 9PM on the Tuesday 12/27 by the way… Page 1-5… Busy, busy, busy… And the other masterminds chimed in too… Geo, Trademark, the looney and deformed, A real gab fest! Still noticeably absent: True Falcon Fan, PB Orr, and your friend IJonathan…

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:47 am

Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2011
3:14 pm
“As I said on draft day, name one “blockbuster” all for trade that has ever worked out.”

“On draft day (April 30, 1985), the 49ers traded its first two picks for New England’s first-round choice, the 16th selection overall (the teams also swapped third-round picks as part of the deal), and selected Rice before, as some report, the Cowboys were intending to pick him. Rice was prized more highly by the USFL, as he was the #1 pick overall in that short-lived league’s 1985 draft.”

I guess Bill Walsh was just better in pulling off a “deal.” He only gave up 2 firsts for the person chosen as the greatest football player of all-time.

ShempHoward

December 30th, 2011
10:20 am

Dick M said, Our Falcons just don’t have the horses to compete with the “winning” teams in the league. You need proof? Just look at the Pro-Bowl Roster. How many Falcons do you see listed?

_______________________________________________________________________

I dont believe that for one second. Did you see the Jacksonville game? Did you see any weaknesses on the falcons in the jacksonville win? The falcons played awesome football for 60 minutes and could have beaten anyone on that night. Just because tony gonzales was the lone pro bowl selection–it doesnt mean that there are falcons that shouldnt have made the team. I can think of at least 5 other falcons that are deserving of pro bowl consideration. Julio Jones (rookie); Matty “Ice” Ryan (4000+ yards passing–WOW!!awesome); Roddy White (1000+yards receiving); Jason Snelling, Michael Turner, Brent Grimes, Harry Douglas and Eric Weems. Any of these other guys could have been voted on the team. If all these playmakers “come to life” at the same time in the playoffs—THE FALCONS CAN MAKE THE SAME RUN THAT GREENBAY MADE LAST YEAR–and win the superbowl. I’m expecting it and I hope you are as well.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
11:20 am

JSS, 2 picks for one is not blockbuster. Blockbuster is 4-5 picks for one. A Ricky Williams, a Herschel Walker, and now, a JJ, etc. Can’t name one.

And for all you detectives finding Mr Charlie on other blogs, I can’t help it if you have been so soundly beaten that all you can do is pretend to be me, then use them to prove something in your delusional world…but if I were you, I guess I would pretend to be me too, probably the bright spot of your day.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
11:24 am

Like I said, I was right about MV7 and the Eagles being losers, they could not even win in the worst division in football. I was right about Scam Newton not being able to lead his team to the playoffs his rookie year like Ice did,

So I am 2 for 2. My last prediction is the Falcons win a playoff game. Worst I can do is come up 2-3, and that is WINNING.

I feel like I am playing with house money…it is good loving among the mental midgets.

My Dawg

December 30th, 2011
11:26 am

The Falcon are taking notes from the Braves… Years of playoff runs , wait a minute, they did win a World Series.. The magic has yet to return although we saw a flickering flame last season and we started to get excited…The Falcons on the other hand , need to pick up their game and finish the season deep in the playoffs….

JSS

December 30th, 2011
12:09 pm

3 picks genius and moved up in front of his main rival for the player that he wanted. By the way, he used the swapped pick to parlay a pick in the following draft that turned into Charles Haley.

And again, you keep sliding around on your belly trying to deflect about Vick (your fall back position each time your team gets its hat handed to them). Next time, don’t go and hide in the cocoon of the D3 blog… Say what you want about MCR, CDG, or even someone like Hiram Saint; they are here “win, lose, or draw!”

And you better “feel” like “playing you with house money,” that is what the emotionally and socially bankrupt always have to fall back on… Wound licker!

SammySosa

December 30th, 2011
12:14 pm

I know that a lot of falcon fans are CRUSHED and feel down about the Falcons after such a devastating loss to the Saints last monday. But the fact remains that the New Orleans loss counts as only O-N-E loss and hasnt prevented the falcons from making the playoffs. Look, if the saints loss had stopped the falcons from making the playoffs, and if the loss had counted as five losses and our record suddenly went from
9-5 to 9-10. That would be cause for alarm. My God–look at what the Packers did last year. They BARELY made the playoffs and had to run off like 6 straight wins just to get in. FOLKS THE FALCONS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS AND THAT IS CAUSE FOR EXCITEMENT FOR THE TEAM AND THE FANS. ALSO, IN MY OPINION THE FALCONS ARE MORE TALENTED THIS YEAR THAN THE PACKERS WERE LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR WE CAN BEAT EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE IF WE PLAY SOLID FOOTBALL FOR 60 MINUTES. I AM CONVINCED OF THAT. THE FALCONS MAY NOT CATCH LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE LIKE THE PACK DID LAST YEAR, BUT IF THEY DO–LOOK OUT–THEY WILL BE CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD AFTER THIS SEASON HAS FINISHED. SO GET USED TO GANG. WHEN NEXT SEASON STARTS–EVERYONE WILL SAY, THE 2011 DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPION–ATLANTA FALCONS. HAS A NICE RING TO IT. GUYS GO OUT AND MAKE IT A REALITY.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
12:21 pm

And big bad blogger, put your keyboard keys to work… The next time you tell that lie: “I can’t help it if you have been so soundly beaten that all you can do is pretend to be me, then use them to prove something in your delusional world…but if I were you, I guess I would pretend to be me too, probably the bright spot of your day.”

So you better be ready to back it up with some facts… I’ve told you weak minded a$$ before, “I have not, will not, and would not” steal anyones user-name. That is your 2nd time pulling that weak BS! You are a L-i-a-r! And every time your team loses, it just verifies that your poor choices are just that reflection… Try for strike 3… If somebody is stealing your tarnished and weak online moniker, hit the “report this comment” link. But of course you won’t do that, you certainly know why you can’t?

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
12:46 pm

Report the Comment? I could care less if someone uses my screen name, I know your first instinct is to run to mommy when challenged with a problem outside your weak paradigm. But personally, I think it is rather funny, especially since you and your sock puppets read, analyze and try to make sense of it all. Charlie=Winning.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
12:50 pm

“Blockbuster is 4-5 picks for one. A Ricky Williams, a Herschel Walker, and now, a JJ, etc.”
No, that is not a “blockbuster, it is desperate and stupid!

Trading two first round picks in the same draft and swapping a subsequent round pick was a blockbuster… Bill Walsh made it work… Ditka and that moron Mike Lynn didn’t!

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:00 pm

And while the man from fantasy island continues on his deluded quest (Charlie = Charlie Sheen Bat Crazy) “WINNING!” Here’s a link to the reality of the 49ers maneuvering that landed Rice. That is why won 3 more Super Bowls while teams like the Bengals and Falcons lag around with the Eddie Brown and Stacy Bailey….

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:01 pm

JSS

December 30th, 2011
1:03 pm

If you don’t care, then don’t lie… You’re weak Charlie… Trait, tired, and weak!!!

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
1:20 pm

Jerry Rice was not a block buster on so many levesl.

SF move up half a round in 1 and run 3, and gave up a two. So it we 3-2, but move up in two round. Pretty fair

2nd Jerry Rice did not qualify for a blockbuster because people hardly knew who he was.

The entire blocbuster concept is to trade way too much for high profile guy that gets analyzed to death. There was very little reaction as I remember, just a huh, who is this guy, but they did not give up much, just a 2, but they moved up in 3.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
1:21 pm

If I cared, I would just use a different screen name like you do.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
1:24 pm

That said, I don’t rule out JJ paying off one day. He has looked like a rookie, and WR is one of the hardest positions to learn on the NFL level. And even missing games and dropping high profile balls, his stats are not bad. So we can only watch….But I did not like the trade on principle.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
4:35 pm

Mr Charlie
December 30th, 2011
1:21 pm
“If I cared, I would just use a different screen name like you do.”

Prove it lying b-i-t-c-h?

I dare you! And believe you me, your little innuendo campaign is a fraud just like you! You’re a l-i-a-r! Go to the AJC IT department and the Sports editors or Jeff Schultz and prove it… But keep putting that lie out there you cheap bomb thrower…

You’ve made enemies WAY beyond me… Your problem is that you slither around then when they come after your slimy alter ego, you disappear until think the heat is off… You’re a cretin!

JSS

December 30th, 2011
4:53 pm

2 of the 3 Goliath’s in the NFC were salivating at the chance to get Rice. The USFL made the “hardly anybody knew him” mystery player, the No. 1 pick of the entire draft! You’re an idiot Charlie, the only thing that scared people off of Rice was that stupid 4.71 40 at the combine. Ask Charles Dimry how accurate that work out was? He finished 9th in the Heisman voting! You’re a an idiot!!!

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
5:30 pm

You gotta call games, that is like stealing my name, you are just outta logic and rational arguments…Winning….

Rice was not a blockbuster, was just another draft day trade, happens every year…. barely a peep was made. Again, another “blockbuster” characteristic is the trade would include a top 5, or a top 10 pick max.

A 32, 64 and a 96 for a 16 and a 48 is hardly anything to call “blockbuster”

Again, IT department proves nothing, I have two different tablets, and two different laptops, hell I even have an old desktop hooked up in the basement that might work…..Your a stupid stupid little man.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
5:52 pm

“Again, IT department proves nothing, I have two different tablets, and two different laptops, hell I even have an old desktop hooked up in the basement that might work…..Your a stupid stupid little man.”

And what else are you doing? Pinging off of a Chinese spy satellite and Telestar? Sonny, the traffic bottleneck still has a traceable signature, ewhois you fraud. You’re a buffoon. You want people to be a shallow as you. That is why you “still” slithering around here (after you come out of hiding of course). Reading is fundamental, and whenever you use the words: “logic” or “rational” The Merriams & Webster and Roget all start spinning in their graves!

JSS

December 30th, 2011
6:05 pm

Wow, why does NFL.com call this so-call non-blockbuster deal the “No. 1 Draft Day Trade of All-Time?”
Ha ha ha ha!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80211e7b/Top-Ten-Draft-Trades-Jerry-Rice

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
6:09 pm

I am doing nothing, you are the one who asked me to check that IT department on you, so my point is the IT department proves absolutely nothing, most people have multiple internet access points now adays anyway…..

And for the record, I also announced I would NOT be on the blog for the Carolina game, and I did not show back up until that game was over too, not just when they started to win.

Sooooo, could it be my disappearing during the games in not your own insecurity, but a legitimate reason? Maybe I do bus tables at Chuckie Cheese, or maybe, as hard as it is for you to relate to, I do have actual human friends I watch the games with… Fact is, you will never know….Winning.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
6:13 pm

It was the greatest value trade of all time because they gave up so little, and got so much in return. A blockbuster is when you put up a lot (a least multiple number ones) to get a lot in return.

In this case, 49ers put up a relative small amount and got a big payoff, hence the Rice trade was the greatest of all time.

I did not say every freaking trade ever made was bad, ya maroon.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
6:23 pm

In round 1 Niners moved up from 28 to 16.
In round 2 Ninger gave up 58.
In Round 3 Niners also moved up from 84 to 75.

So really, the niners gave up the 2nd round pick to move up in both the first and third round. Pretty much a value trade. Trades like this happen several times every year. Blockbuster is going up into the top 5-10 and giving away the farm to do it.

In this case, the only game up the #2, but also got to move up in round 3 too. Classic Value trade. Yawn—winning.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
6:45 pm

Value trade phooey! They gave up multiple picks leaving them with only two picks… You’re a putz… And even that moron Ken Herok pointed out they were so myopic (kinda like you) they didn’t have as pick…

You can 80 IP address, but regardless of what have everybody go through the bottlenecks somewhere… The problem is you’re a liar. I told you to “prove” you allegations that “I’ve” stolen your user-name and used it on these blogs! That is beauty of Goggle Analytics (you’ve done a search somewhere). You’re fooling no one but yourself trying to deflect behind the “phony anonymity of the internet.” And every time you keep trying to lie and innuendo me with your smear campaign, I’m going to call you on it! You’re a
L
I
A
R
!!!

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
7:11 pm

2 picks huh? This is why I love messing with you.

You talk Jeff and Bradley like you are a peer, act as though you do your research, and take yourself all serious, and yes, even call people liars like you are better. But I just wear you to the nub, and expose you for the bogus troll fraud you are.

FACT is, they traded 28, 56 and 84 to 16 and 75. They gave a 2nd rounder, and moved up in 1 and 3, just like I said.

Below is the 1985 49ers draft. 2 picks, Go home, change your name again, JSS is a soiled band.

16 Jerry Rice
75 Ricky Moore RB Alabama
140 Bruce Collie T Texas-Arlington
168 Scott Barry – California-Davis
308 David Wood – Arizona
336 Donald Chumley – Georgia
Roosevelt Snipes –

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
7:23 pm

@Charlie

You are a spineless COWARD :)

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
7:26 pm

Coming from you, I take that as a compliment.

Mr Charlie

December 30th, 2011
7:27 pm

Again, when you attack me, it just means you have no argument. Winning.

JSS

December 30th, 2011
7:55 pm

Like I said: “reading is fundemental.” Where does “trading 3 picks” become “2 picks?” Say it all together now: “Charlie’s World!” LOSING LIAR!

JSS

December 30th, 2011
7:58 pm

Try watching the video “Charlie.” Maybe when you “hear” the Niners’ VP of Player Personnel say it out his mouth it might sink into that Oxy-cotin haze you confuse for clarity… Put down the Tiger Blood…

JSS

December 30th, 2011
8:00 pm

“Peers?” You’re beyond being an idiot…

CGD..

December 30th, 2011
8:23 pm

QUESTION: WILL THIS DUDE CALLED MATTY ICE EVER WIN A PLAYOFF GAME!

ANS: YES HE WILL, WITH A CLIP BOARD.

CAM BREAKING ALL OF THESE ROOKIE RECORDS IS JUST INCREDIBLE! Wish we had him. Probably win a playoff game this year……

MELT= FG PRODUCER
DREW= TD MAKER

3<7 In this time line…..Duh…..

CGD..

December 30th, 2011
8:32 pm

The Eagles have a better shot at competing for the SB than the Fal-cons….

Sit tight ole delusional one from another dimension cause another catastrophic playoff loss is well on the way.

Did everyone know that Ryan has a pick six in both of his playoffs starts? More to come….

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
8:40 pm

@CGD

This dude straight up SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

His only chance of winning in the playoffs is on Madden :)

CHOKE aint Manning so stop with the it took Peyton more than 4 seasons :)

If you can’t win in the playoffs before age 22 then you can only carry Mike Vick’s clipboard…….

HA HA HA

LOSERS like Mrs Charlie couldn’t even stick around for the CHOKE he knew was coming

then goes on D3 blog and comes on here days later and said he had something else to do.

What a spineless COWARD :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
8:42 pm

CGD..

December 30th, 2011
8:32 pm

The Eagles have a better shot at competing for the SB than the Fal-cons….

Sit tight ole delusional one from another dimension cause another catastrophic playoff loss is well on the way.

Did everyone know that Ryan has a pick six in both of his playoffs starts? More to come….

_________________________________________

You left out the SAFETY vs the Cardinals.

A Safety? Who gives up a safety in the playoffs?

This LOSER is not INTELLIGENT enough to win a playoff game :)

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 30th, 2011
8:44 pm

It’s funny that the Dream Team gets more coverage than the Falcants and they are not even
in the playoffs.

That’s all you need to know about CHOKE :)

CGD..

December 30th, 2011
11:34 pm

Atlanta Falcons
“Matt Ryan is becoming an ‘elite’ QB, Smith says”

11:55 am December 30, 2011, by D. Orlando Ledbetter

JSS

December 30th, 2011
11:45 pm

Ledbetter once said DeCoud deserved to go to Pro Bowl! There’s no accounting for taste!!!

Mr Charlie

December 31st, 2011
10:36 am

Soo, VIck is sitting at 15 TD passes, and accounted for 15 Turnovers, so his turnover differential is 0. Ryan; 27 17 + 10.

Easy to see why one team is heading to the playoffs, and one team is sitting at home. It is all about QB play. I was right about the Eagles this year, no doubt about that.

Mr Charlie

December 31st, 2011
10:45 am

I irony is, the Eagles positive turnover differential. So, the Defense did a good job getting the ball, but the lack of their QB being able to turn those turnovers into TD is what sunk them……Facts are Facts.

To to summerize the Jerry Rice Trade. Niners moved up in the From 28-16, and 84-75 and gave up their 48. Blockbuster? LOL.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

December 31st, 2011
1:21 pm

0-3 In The Playoffs…………………

Only stat that matters……………….

HA HA HA :)

Mr Charlie

December 31st, 2011
3:53 pm

Naa, only stat that matters is that Ice is playing next weekend, and the Dream Team is sitting at home watching just like us because “they collapsed under the weight of expectations” REALLY?

[...] I wrote a blog the other day, asking what you believed would qualify as a successful season for the Falcons. The answers were all over the board and the poll (still open) was pretty close. [...]