LIVE: Falcons hope for a new look and better start
Dirk Koetter has changes planned for Matt Ryan and the offense. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
KANSAS CITY — Good morning. After a solid 4½ hours sleep, I’m back.
Mr. Ledbetter (who was Mr. Sidebar at the Georgia-Missouri game) and I left Columbia at close to 1 a.m. CDT for the drive back to Kansas City and my head hit the pillow at 3:24 this morning. So I’m tired but not complaining. It was a great atmosphere at Mizzou and a fun game to cover (although, speaking for the entire media contingent, we would’ve preferred a day game).
Georgia started the SEC season right with a 40-21 win. Can the Falcons do the same in their regular season opener?
The backdrop for both games were similar in that both are/were slight road favorites but there are/were enough concerns to make fans nervous. The Falcons did not look great in the exhibition season (although it’s dangerous to draw conclusions from that). There also are these issues:
• The Falcons went into last season with high expectations but they laid an egg in the season opener at Chicago (losing 30-12), struggled with consistency problems all year, finished 10-6 and then got dropped by the New York Giants in the playoffs.
• There are questions again about the strength of the offensive line, which remains relatively unchanged.
• New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is expected to implement a more aggressive scheme than the team has used in the past, but questions remain about the strength of the secondary, the effectiveness of defensive end Ray Edwards (who actually may come out in passing situations) and how the loss of linebacker Curtis Lofton to free agency will hurt. The addition of Asante Samuel should help, although he got burned by A.J. Green in the exhibition against Cincinnati.
• We’ve been told to expect changes — needed changes — in the offense by new coordinator Dirk Koetter. He would be hard-pressed to do worse than Mike Mularkey, who got stuck in the same play-calling patterns every week and struggled to effectively utilize all of the team’s weapons. Expect more screen passes, an increased role by running back Jacquizz Rodgers and, most of all, a heavy dose of Julio Jones.
The Falcons do get a break today in that the Chiefs will be missing outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who was suspended for one game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The Chiefs also are missing cornerback Brandon Flowers, safety Kendrick Lewis and nose tackle Anthony Torbio, all of whom are injured. So quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense catch a break.
Finally, it should be a cool scene with tight end Tony Gonzalez, who is expected to retire after the season, playing his final game in Kansas City, where he spent most of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chiefs fans give him a loud ovation.
Here’s the Falcons’ inactive list: Dominique Davis (emergency third quarterback), safety Charles Mitchell, cornerback Robert McClain, center Joe Hawley, tackle Lamar Holmes, defensive end Lawrence Sidbury (a little surprising) and defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi.
That’s it for now. I think I need my second cup of coffee. The cyber venting lines are open.
Welcome to the NFL season.
By Jeff Schultz
•
Last 10 from the jukebox
– Georgia starts slow, then writes the winning script
– Georgia needs to avoid playing catch-up in SEC again
– Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Falcons win, and a ‘Sack Schultz’ video update
– Falcons, Smith going to amusing extremes to get an edge
– Chipper Jones provides Braves with a needed miracle
– Has Georgia duped us again, or was this just a hiccup?
– Fredi Gonzalez knows if Braves fizzle, he’ll be one to catch heat
– Georgia State pounded in opener as growing pains continue
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749 comments Add your comment
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
It really didnt matter did it PHIL?
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
DawgNole, MCR has been posting all day, he’s not running… But hey imaginary blog disappearances are like Communists, they make easy targets in some corners of the John Birch mindset
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Bicep – this is true. Any win is nice, but winning some playoff games would also be nice.
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Gee Phil, you a silly stalker huh?
Kelly
September 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
I have no idea what a “pepe” is, but nice with Falcons. Good start!
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
OK Phil. Why don’t you take ur negative azz to whatever team you are a fan of and leave us Falcon fans to enjoy our win?
dawgnation1
September 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
Phil, man, I understand you’re a pessimistic person when it comes to your team. But, you don’t even seem like you want them to win. Its like you want them to be bad so that way you have something to complain about. Just take today’s game for what it is. A win. Some people just can’t be happy, NP matter what
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
Lol
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
Fake Phil… No thanks, you most likely have “Herpes Blood!”
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
Tallulah – i’m a fan of the same team as you….
Go tend the still.
Take your shotgun with ya…..
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
Hey Phil, “fan” they love that word except in January
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
I’m very happy, dawgnation….we whupped all of missouri….good weekend!
Matty Bicep
September 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
No excuses, last year is last year, it don’t matter. All we could have done today is beat the Chiefs…We did. Nothing else matters now but our next game….Get to the playoffs, and try again.
If it is your opinion that our history dictates our future, then that is yoru opinion, so I guess you think Philly will miss the playoffs again too, hun?
Personally, it is why I love sports, I don’t know what is going to happen…I did not know we would even win today, but we did, so Check, onto next week.
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Phil u are a liar. I do have a shotgun, but unfortuniately i don’t have a still. Should I?
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Mccann delivers!
DawgNole
September 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
phil
September 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
Choke will be back just as soon as we play a meaningful game, and proceed to choke…
____________________
True enough. But today’s was a meaningful game. Any win on the road is meaningful.
dawgnation1
September 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Oh hell, aints are only down by 8, halfway through the 4th.
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:14 pm
Gee, the stalker thinks “John Birch” is trying to be pseudo-intelligent? Dude, they are crazy people!
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:14 pm
Yes you should, tallulah….lol
See u good folks later.
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:15 pm
But hey, you are afraid to post under your own user-name, so hey, that explains a lot!
dawgnation1
September 9th, 2012
4:15 pm
Redskins look like they might be in trouble.
DawgNole
September 9th, 2012
4:16 pm
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
DawgNole, MCR has been posting all day, he’s not running… But hey imaginary blog disappearances are like Communists, they make easy targets in some corners of the John Birch mindset
__________________
He hasn’t been posting on this blog all day. That’s why he’s being mocked repeatedly. When Ryan has a bad game, that’s when you’ll see him posting all day.
You shouldn’t associate yourself with him; he’s filth. Your stuff is better than that–even if you are negative (like phil and me).
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:16 pm
So sad, jealousy rears its ugly head
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
Ha ha, what a spaz… Answering myself? You’re lumpy in the meth lab…
DawgNole
September 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
phil
September 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Bicep – this is true. Any win is nice, but winning some playoff games would also be nice.
___________________
Agreed.
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
HAHA interception
Greg Mendel
September 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
Brees picked off. Not a dry eye in the house. Not this one, anyway.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know (aka Go Jackets)
September 9th, 2012
4:21 pm
Who Dat Who DAt Who DAt………….LOL….u lose, New Orleans!
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:22 pm
DawgNole, I associate myself with no one… Ted Striker has my respect… Davenpoop is at least honest… Phil is a cynic, no problem there… He’s honest… Anybody is entitled to their opinion, even MCR… Just don’t be a liar or name-stealer…
SEENTHESEAINTSB4
September 9th, 2012
4:25 pm
LOL STUPID AINTS… GONNA BE A LONG YEAR FOR YOU LOSERS.
TallulahFallsFalcon
September 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
AJC Blocking my comments…what a bunch of commies
DawgNole
September 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:22 pm
DawgNole, I associate myself with no one… Ted Striker has my respect… Davenpoop is at least honest… Phil is a cynic, no problem there… He’s honest… Anybody is entitled to their opinion, even MCR… Just don’t be a liar or name-stealer…
____________________
He’s a baiter. When you defend him, you associate yourself with him.
I’ve NEVER been a liar or name-stealer on any blog. NEVER!
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
It is great just watching you dig your own blogging grave… Get all out of your system… And floating IP’s won’t help you…
DawgNole
September 9th, 2012
4:42 pm
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
DawgNole, I am unable to associate normally. You will have to just pardon me…I did not mean to accuse you, that was my other personality speaking. I know MCR is a masterbaiter, so am I. But he’s entitled to his opinion because he is negative.
That and he doesn’t steal my name. That I know of.
__________________
I’m negative also–although I prefer to call it being “realistic”–having been a rabid fan of ATL pro sports teams since the mid-60s. I blame my negativity on this city’s ONE championship in 155 seasons of competition.
MCR’s negativity is based on deep hatred–NOT on reality. I have little tolerance for that.
I’ve never stolen a name. Don’t understand the motivation of those who do.
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
DawgNole, that is the phony pretender…
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
Because I know…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
Hey guys guess what?
The Broncos won’t be short of starters and Peyton’s arm won’t give out in the 2nd half…..ha ha.
CHOKE is still dink & donking. Julio is just making plays.
Nothing new here……..
He is still a 72 million dollar disappointment.
0-3 guys……holla
JSS
September 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
See, you made the mistake of venturing off the Ledbetter blog… Gotcha!
LOL at the Aints
September 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
LOL
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 9th, 2012
4:51 pm
Just in…………..
Falcants have been crowned Pre-Post season champs….ha ha
JSS
September 9th, 2012
5:02 pm
What is that gibberish?
Suckerfreehaterblog
September 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
Called drunk celebration typing and I am doing it on my phone not in the basement of my trailer like you chump but you know what it means sucka! Stop hating!
JSS
September 9th, 2012
5:13 pm
Nope, just another person who doesn’t get it… But you’ll get it soon… Enjoy, flaming out produces a great light show but ultimately, it is the death of something (your blogging time)…
JSS
September 9th, 2012
5:35 pm
Gee, what happened to the fake JSS? See ya (not)…
Suckerfreehaterblog
September 9th, 2012
5:57 pm
Know what JSS I might and I use the word might with much caution have some respect for you if you ever had the guts to step up and admit you are wrong sometimes. What makes you the coward and such hated on these blogs is that you never admit fault and you never own up to being wrong about the birds….to me thats a coward move! Not only a coward move but a move that makes people dislike you! You are a sucka and a chump and you know you were wrong…..again about the birds! Rise up
JSS
September 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
So let’s see where I’m “wrong?” Go ahead and bring some evidence and don’t be a Big Ray and conjecture… The blogs are there… But see, you actually think I care about being “dislike(d)” I never made a prediction about the game… The only games I predict are playoffs… Like I said before half-time, it was up to Nolan to actually make adjustments… He did and the KC OC did not … So as pop off using the word “coward,” get the balls to stop being a crane and know and not spew mess…
JSS
September 9th, 2012
6:27 pm
Oh, why would I want your respect?
Jeff Schultz
September 9th, 2012
7:13 pm
Game column has been posted if you want to shift commenting over there.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/09/09/falcons-finally-show-an-offense-worthy-of-their-talent/
html radio button
September 15th, 2012
1:35 pm
I like this phrase
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