Falcons just keep winning — has anybody has noticed?
Linebacker Mike Peterson reacts after another defensive stop by the Falcons' defense against Dallas. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
OK. Now what?
They have played eight games and won eight games. They have won at home and on the road. In warm weather and cold. On Sundays and Monday, day and night. On national TV and probably when not too many were paying attention because, well, the Braves were still teasing us.
Are they great? I don’t know — what’s great? Halfway through the NFL season, the Falcons are the only team that hasn’t lost a game. So even if they’re just very good, isn’t every other team somewhere south of that?
One week after ending their history of horrors in Philadelphia, the Falcons knocked off Dallas 19-13 Sunday night. And the national analysis figures to focus on the decline of the Cowboys in 3 … 2 … 1 …
“I’m anxious to see what happens, to see if all the networks make it all about the Cowboys,” Tony Gonzalez said. “But that not our primary concern.”
No. Winning is. But it hasn’t escaped the Falcons that them winning often becomes the secondary story to the opponent losing. As Gonzalez said, “I made reference to it [in interviews] because I was a little frustrated after last week. We beat a very good team [at Philadelphia] but after the [television] highlights everything was about Philly. But I understand why. We haven’t done anything. When we get to the playoffs, we’ve lost.”
That hangover, of course, will carry through the regular season. But that doesn’t make what the Falcons are accomplishing any less remarkable. They are doing it with defense (holding Dallas without a touchdown until 5:21 remained), with an increasingly efficient Matt Ryan (who threw for 342 yards despite three sacks and getting beat up by the Cowboys’ pass rush). Even running back Michael Turner finally broke through a 43-yard gain late in the third quarter to set up the go-ahead touchdown.
Their offense didn’t reach the end zone until that score, but it didn’t matter.
“We find ways to win football games,” Turner said.
The Falcons have never been 8-0 before. Then again, not many NFL teams have.
But sometimes streaks this become a search for flaws instead of a recognition of everything that a team does right. The Falcons don’t beat themselves, either with penalties or turnovers. They make plays in the clutch. They are opportunistic. Trailing 6-3, they drove 60 yards in 1:03 to kick a field goal as the first half ended. Things like that often get overlooked.
Through most of three quarters, it was a field goal battle. Each team had two. And then, the team unearthed something rare: a running game.
In the first quarter, Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers combined for eight carries for five yards. Through most of three quarters, Turner had 10 carries for 16 yards. Then it was like a scene from Forrest Gump: He started running from the bad kids and his braces came flying off.
He’s got magic legs!
Late in the third, on first down from the Falcons’ 35, Turner busted through the middle for an eight-yard gain. Relative to the rest of the game, it seemed like a furlong. On his next carry, Turner busted it open for 43 yards before being dragged down by the Cowboys’ Brandon Carr at the Dallas 14. Appropriately, it was Turner who finished off the drive, scoring from the three just 14 seconds into the final quarter, giving a the Falcons their first lead of the night, 13-6.
Some have been slow to embrace the Falcons, at least as an undefeated team. That’s understandable. They don’t dominate opponents. They’re not overly physical. They don’t have a postseason resume that makes you go, “Wow!” More like, “Oy.”
But let’s recap: There were concerns before the Denver game (Peyton Manning), the San Diego game (long trip, short week), the Washington game (road, Robert Griffin III), the Philadelphia game (Michael Vick and city of six straight losses).
If the Falcons wanted to play the no-respect card, they had the comments from Rob Ryan to fuel them. The Dallas defensive coordinator didn’t quite scream, “Guaranteed win,” but he came close, telling Dallas media: “We need to win now. That’s what we’re going to do. We’ve got to win this week and we know it and we’re going to.”
Ryan might have been trying to fire up his players. But is that something a coach from a 3-4 team normally would say before a game against a 7-0 team? Maybe he just didn’t think the Falcons were all that great. But if 8-0 isn’t great, what is it?
Because the last time I looked, the NFL hasn’t had another NFL undefeated team for a few weeks.
– By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
159 comments Add your comment
@DanWeiner
November 4th, 2012
11:45 pm
Will anyone give them respect? Who cares. This ain’t the BCS. What people think of you doesn’t matter. Go to work. Get the job done. Keep working on the very apparent flaws that get you beat in January and do your job. Let everyone else worry about outside nonsense.
David R
November 4th, 2012
11:46 pm
Playoffs. Period. Falcons can crow about respect all they want. I don’t care how they do it, but this needs to be a year where they reach the NFC Championship, at the very least. It’s all lining up to get it done. But until then, national media’s not going to crow about 8-0 for an outfit with a disastrous playoff resume like this one.
Falcons just keep winning, if anybody has noticed – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Rocking Chairs
November 4th, 2012
11:48 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
BobDawg
November 4th, 2012
11:50 pm
JS… you didn’t just pull out the “Forrest Gump” card, did you??? Nice!!! Let’s see what Skip Bayless (picked the Boys) and Stephen A (Falcons) say tomorrow… should be a good topic… Let’s face it… with this coaching staff and Matt Ryan the MVP of the league… We will do well in the postseason….
Kelly
November 4th, 2012
11:53 pm
Just keep winning, baby.
LOL at the Aints
November 4th, 2012
11:59 pm
No one has noticed. Its all about whats wrong with the Cowgirls,, They have so much talent. How can this Be!,,, Did i mention i hate Chris Collinsworth,, one excuse after another.. not what a clutch player Matty Ice is.. oh well.. One game at a time.
HONDURAN FALCON
November 5th, 2012
12:00 am
Amazing victory! I prefer the no respect card. We can do just fine in keeping our heads into the week by week philosophy Mike Smith preaches… Tough games, tough wins. We will take them! GO FALCONS!!
Falconsfaninaugusta
November 5th, 2012
12:01 am
Totally agree that the Falcons need to win a playoff game before anyone gives them credit but who cares? Just think where we were when Smith arrived….these are indeed the Golden Years and I savor every win
AtlantaDuse
November 5th, 2012
12:01 am
The Falcons may not have won a playoff game yet, but the Cowboys treated this game like a sudden death playoff, and the falcons were able to take their best shot and still come out ahead. Great win.
Keith
November 5th, 2012
12:04 am
yes playoffs, but ya know I sick and tired of you people downplaying the Falcons, they ARE ThE BEST TEAM IN THE NFL. Nobody’s said we already won the damn Super Bowl nobody’s said we have won in the playoffs. If this was the Packers or the Giants or the Patriots everybody would already have given them the superbowl ring, alls any Falcons fan is saying is they have earned the respect that they deserved they have beat all comers so far, so y’all get off you high horse and bow down
Matt
November 5th, 2012
12:09 am
Was so glad to see the Falcons pull this one out, if for no other reason than to shut the NBC announcers up. They obviously wanted the Cowboys to pull it out, the disappointment in their voices was obvious there at the end.
Blackoutanyone?
November 5th, 2012
12:10 am
Chris Collinsworth was an embarrassment. Guy was one sided all night. Hopefully the team will continue to use the lack of national respect as motivation.
Falcony
November 5th, 2012
12:10 am
Way to go Angry Birds! Way to make adjustments in the 2nd half on defense “Nolan”. You can tell that Sports Announcer Cris Collinsworth was rooting for the Cowboys. It was never about what the Falcons were doing but about what the Cowboys needed to do to win the game. 8 & 0 baby! Cris need to pay up the bets that he lost
REAL FALCONS FAN
November 5th, 2012
12:11 am
I DON’T CARE HOW THEY WIN ,THEY JUST WIN. THIS TEAM CAN PLAY ANY WAY THEY NEED TO,THE MORE CARRIES TURNER GETS THE STRONGER HE GETS {REMEMBER THIS} .I LOVE THIS TEAM I WISH WE HAD OVIE BACK ,OTHER THAN THAT THIS TEAM JUST WIN’S ! GO FALCONS !
Thinkaboutit
November 5th, 2012
12:15 am
Espn actually posted “dallas def falcons” on the headline scroll for three mins before it was fixed. Then it was romo news conference. Wheres ryan interview? Then its cowboys fall to 3-5 instead of falcons improve to 8-0? Pathetic!!
Big Crimson 75
November 5th, 2012
12:16 am
Great defensive effort by our squad tonight, without our best player.
No Spoon, no Jerry for more than a half.
This team is special.
Don’t be scared!!!
Stand up & be proud of this Team.
Thomas Brown
November 5th, 2012
12:17 am
Elite Consensus # 5 Georgia Bulldogs and the Falcons, both, keep winning if anybody has noticed.
Pj
November 5th, 2012
12:18 am
@bobdawg – Stephen A and Skip picked against each other ??? Stop the freaking press – breaking news from bobdawg. Yo. Sheep. That’s what they’re paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to do.
St Simons
November 5th, 2012
12:19 am
My best throw was in 1980 in the gator bowl when i hit that d’bag
Chris Collinsworth with a drink cup at the Ga/Fla game.
I looooooove it when the team Collinsworth is shamelessly
pulling for gets beat. Hate on, Chris. d’bag
Ole Smoky
November 5th, 2012
12:20 am
NBC’s coverage of the Falcons reminds me of what they’re doing with the election…
Big Crimson 75
November 5th, 2012
12:21 am
Looking ahead,
The NFC is the superior conference.
5 really good teams:
Falcons, Bears, 49ers, Giants & Pack.
Bring em on!! We can beat any of them.
HONDURAN FALCON
November 5th, 2012
12:21 am
I have been a great fan of Turner over the years, but I am concerned we are weak here.
This game produced an ironic twist, our passing game opened up the holes for the running game. So as much as I want to keep myself on the Michael Turner bandwagon, I would rather wait it out and see what else he gives us. Maybe with the saints?
Olde Fan
November 5th, 2012
12:37 am
Bhahahahahahaha~ FINALLY we beat Dallas!!! Our team is on a Mission, and there are a WHOLE lot of folks on this bandwagon behind them. So good to see the packed stadium and the loud cheers!! If is just killing the so-called Sports Media to admit it – The Falcons are Good. They aren’t stealing anything – they are just plain out Winning. And long may they run!
Smitty
November 5th, 2012
12:52 am
Go falcons!!!!!
Voice of Reason
November 5th, 2012
12:56 am
I suppose CHOKE has crawled into his deep dark hole . . .
Barkin' Dog
November 5th, 2012
1:00 am
This what I wrote at 2:47PM today to Colin Cowherd…
Subject: Where Colin Was WRONG
Colin…
I will probably jinx my team by writing this, but it had to be done before game time (for time stamp proof).
You said Friday you have the Atlanta Falcons rated no higher than seventh. You also picked against them in your Blazin’ Five Friday (even the Wise Guys have the Cowboys as a Best Bet). You, nor they, see what I see and have seen. Neither have the majority of the other ‘talking heads’ (sportscasters) in radio and TV.
No, the Falcons have not PROVED anything worthy yet this season (nor the past 3-4 years), as they have not won a playoff game with their team and staff. But, they do show the same ‘dedication to perfection’ I once witnessed (closely) with the Miami Dolphins, which led to their “Perfect Season” in 1972. Theirs was a ‘no-name defense’ with a back-up QB (Earl Morrell for injured Bob Griese). But they adhered to Coach Shula’s mantra of “Strive for perfection, settle for excellence.” The Falcons are about as precise as it gets in the NFL this year, and you know it.
Do they cut some games close at the end? Yes, but they still win! Will they go undefeated this season? It remains to be seen. Will they win tonight against Dallas (DC Ryan Guaranteed a Dallas win)? Absolutely – about 34 to 17, I predict… The same score they will have in the next Super Bowl… against your darling Patriots… Or Houston… Or Steelers… Whomever.
That’s the way I see it and feel it. Hope I’m right. If not, I know I’m righter than you are about the Falcons ranking this season.
birdofafeather
November 5th, 2012
1:12 am
Man, I feel like punching out that collinsworth guy. just like this guy in this music video. too funny to not watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGLBqCegEA
Banned by Mark Bradley
November 5th, 2012
1:29 am
Enter your comments here
Banned by Mark Bradley
November 5th, 2012
1:29 am
Dunta Robinson must go.
GTPhenom
November 5th, 2012
1:34 am
Win a playoff game. Then you might get some of the respect you feel you deserve. Let’s not forget this team went 13-3 just two years ago before getting stomped in the playoffs by a six seed . . .
bcinbuford
November 5th, 2012
1:35 am
Chris Collinsworth is the Chris Matthews of Football. Maybe he should go stroke Tony’s EGO to get the tingle up his own leg!
bcinbuford
November 5th, 2012
1:41 am
What the national media does not want to promote is the way the Falcons are not beating themselves. Smart disciplined football. No penalties, no turnovers, and doing what you have to do to win is a credit to the coaching staff as much as the players. Yes, who wants to recognize a team that shows the characteristics of intelligence and non self-destructive behavior is the right choice to be a winner.
gulfwavesgary
November 5th, 2012
2:00 am
The biggest stat that came out of the Pro Dallas announcers was the shocker that Mike Smith in his games as Atlanta Head Coach is 43-0 when leading by at least 6 points in the 4th quarter. The Falcons this year are focused on what happens after the regular season ends. When we lost to Green Bay 1000-10 in the first round fiasco we did not have Julio Jones who is a major threat every play. And Rodgers makes nifty spins to make big plays. Our coach has kept the team on a even keel. Thie is the year to go to the Super Bowl. I am very proud of The ATLANTA FALCONS. GO FALCONS.
Thomas Brown
November 5th, 2012
2:01 am
1st, there Notre Dame has no Aaron Murray, and dropped in the BCS as a result.
2nd, Kansas State is not winning out.
3rd, all you need is for Oregon to lose.
Unfortunately, this is where the water hits the wheel because you are talking now Monday that the BCS has been released, unlike the entire premise base of this blog, that we must beat # 1 Alabama in The SEC Championship Game.
If you do that, and Kansas State loses as I guarantee – we are down to Oregon, and don’t forget they have a re-match in the PAC-12 Championship Game coming too and down to Notre Dame.
We’re only talking about 2 teams folks.
When you are # 5 and playing # 1 – albeit I am confident Kansas State loses even without a conference championship game with the Big XII down to but 10 teams and cannot therefore have a Conference Championship – you need to get a BUMP up from beating # 1.
And, need pass only 1 of the 2 remaining as I lay it out. Yeah, sure I am basing this on Kansas State losing. But, any of the 3 can lose and you have the same scenario.
LSU and Ole Miss played Alabama well, on an aside here; that game is not played before it is played. Georgia through the years has done far better against Alabama than everyone in the history of college football. Of all teams to play Alabama in The SEC Championship Game, Alabama did not want to play us the most.
We’ll simply throw the ball more to Malcolm Mitchell, which we should have been doing anyway. I miss Marlon Brown and Marcus Lattimore and Michael Bennett, but this is a team which could and should get Keith Marshall on the edge – not runs off-tackle, as those should have been reserved all season for Todd Gurley.
Aaron Murray is something we have the other teams, other than Alabama, don’t have – especially notably Notre Dame has a sorry Quarterback and dropped them in the polls, as a direct result.
Team of Destiny ? Notre Dame ? They beat a 4-5 team in triple-overtime at home. Get over yourselves Notre Dame. You dropped in every single poll.
And, should have.
(1) Kansas State is going to lose. This is not what if, but what is going to happen. I have studied the in-depth Kansas State phenomenon many years. They have beat no one.
(2) There is a BUMP up winning The SEC Championship Game. Pardon me, this 2012 season, there are now today in the BCS Rankings : 5 of the Top 8 BCS-ranked teams, SEC teams. Opponents of the winner of The SEC Championship Game get a team in the BCS National Championship Title Game, refuse to acknowledge this or even discuss it; but, Georgia or Alabama could make the BCS Title Game if Alabama is beat by UGA.
3. If Kansas State loses, all you are asking is that the BUMP up by beating # 1 is over 1 team. Fans are upset at Notre Dame having beat no one of consequence in the BCS Rankings. Fans of college football. Fans of college football are made up of a whole lot more than just simply Big XII or PAC-12 or Notre Dame fans. Oregon passed Notre Dame, jumped them today. The Consensus prevailing view among all voters and that also is how the man who creates the so-called computer polls all believe too – go look at their individual polls – That The SEC by far 2012, not 2002 when The SEC was down, is the Dominant Conference. They get their 4-team play-off soon enough; not this season. And, were it this season UGA would 100 % be one of the 4, no matter what if we beat Alabama. After what Alabama did last season, dropping 1 place only to LSU in a re-match, the prevailing view is that this 2012 season, The SEC gets 1, not 2. They’ve accomplished that, thanks to rolling over against South Carolina. We jumped Ole Miss 37-10 with 37 unanswered points after the boos early on a beautiful Autumn Day before we Fall Back.
Ok, there is an assumption. I see no one discussing my assumption. But, with that assumption, we need only jump either Notre Dame or jump Oregon.
I don’t really care which. Only need to be 1 of the 2. Discussing who wins that game, can happen all December and January until the game is played. But, I would not want to be :
1. Kansas State with no top team beat
2. Notre Dame with no top team beat
3. Oregon with no top team beat
And, face-off against a team with a real quarterback Aaron Murray who also has tailbacks to rely upon as well, with a top-notch defense who has gone out and beat a team who beat # 15 Texas A and M, who beat # 7 LSU and who beat # 8 South Carolina.
None of the 3, two with my assumption Kansas State loses, has any type of a win all season long that they can point to that hey we beat the # 6 in the BCS Rankings Florida with all 3 of their great wins this season.
Hell, they cannot even match Florida’s wins against top team this season, let alone a team who BEAT FLORIDA at the stadium where they hold the Gator Bowl every year.
No. No, it’s not a foregone conclusion by any manner whatsoever that The SEC is shut-out of the BCS Title Game by a loss by Alabama to UGA. It’s not and you know it, and that is why no one discusses the obvious points about all this, a month before we play Alabama.
This discussion will only grow bigger in the next month; and, at no point will this discussion become old. My brain can follow this discussion. This has been my hobby from the time my Daddy had seasons’ tickets at UGA, and has done nothing but become more intense for me personally since I started buying my own seasons’ tickets. We’ve played Alabama 63 times and they have beat us only 36 of the games. Unfairly, 36 of the games have been AWAY games for us on their home field. At home, we’ve win 11 of the 25 games. While the Dome is not home, it certainly is better than JAX is for Florida – and we damn sure beat them for a better win than any team in the BCS Top 5 can offer-up as to why they should be playing in the Title Game.
Ultimately, the voters have to look at whom it is these 3, I say 2, teams have beat. I know our win looks far more impressive than their wins. Facts are Kansas State, Oregon, Notre Dame would already all have 2 SEC losses and it still would be UGA vs Alabama for The SEC Championship Game, and the berth The SEC gets in the BCS Championship Title Game after The SEC Championship Game. And, since we are only talking about that including UGA or not, Alabama drops maybe to # 3 and UGA goes up maybe to # 2. Alabama could drop to # 2, depends on how they lose. Today, that means that UGA jumps Oregon. Who the hell did Oregon beat compared to our win over Florida ? Sure it can happen. It also can happen that Alabama can lose and still represent The SEC in the BCS Title Game. Either way, with 5 of the top 8 BCS-ranked teams today, The SEC gets 1 slot and the other 3 teams are vying for 1-slot.
The Falcons have their own issue that they have not won a play-off game with Matt Ryan yet; they will get their win like Aaron Murray did against # 2 Florida.
3lanes2nj
November 5th, 2012
2:13 am
If the Cowboys were 8-0 and played our scheduled and won the exact way the Falcons have, they’d be the story, they’d be Superbowl front runners, they’d be commended on winning late and being clutch, Garret COY, Romo MVP, etc..
I’m glad it’s like this, keep doubting them, let them have this chip on their shoulder all the way into January( you know it”ll be there) it only fuels their fire. RISE UP
Rodney Johnson
November 5th, 2012
2:31 am
let me state this for record . THE GRAND WIZARD OFF THE K.K.K. WILL HOST THE BET AWARDS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.S BIRTHDAY ON AUBURN AVE GIVING HANK ARRON A SPECIAL AWARD ON BLACK FRIDAY BEFORE ANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ATLANTA SPORTS FRANCHISE GETS ANY RESPECT FROM THE MEDIA. THAT BEING SAID TO MY DIRTY BIRDS TO QUOTE AL DAVIS”WIN BABY WIN”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Singletary
November 5th, 2012
2:57 am
I guess the summary is we don’t need respect. We are Fierce Falcons, and we deal in stomps downs.
(I use Fierce also in honor of our young Olympic Gymnasts who took their name as the Fierce Five, and got the gold.)
Stevereeno
November 5th, 2012
3:19 am
Don’t look for respect, stay an underdog. We’ll sneak up,….take the golden cup and leave our opponent to pick his jaw off the floor.
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
4:12 am
The Falcons won a fixed game tonight.
They had to beat 18 men on the field.
Eleven cowboys, and seven NFL zebras.
They also had to contend with the reviewing official, up in the box.
Falcons just keep winning, if anybody has noticed – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Highland Beach News
November 5th, 2012
5:00 am
[...] original post here: Falcons just keep winning, if anybody has noticed – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) .GG_func_widget_weather_and_weather_forecast {padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px} [...]
SEC EAST Champs
November 5th, 2012
5:46 am
Thomas Brown……glad you are a loyal Dawg fan but…….dude, get some sleep cause that was a bunch of jibberish!
Mitch (the one in Rome)
November 5th, 2012
6:13 am
How many playoff games have the cowboys won recently? Wait, they can’t get there. Yet they are America’s Team…
Fact
November 5th, 2012
6:14 am
The Falcons will likely play in the Super Bowl this year. Everything falls in their favor, really.
harleyman
November 5th, 2012
6:24 am
Spot on Shultz. As for Collinsworth, he’s been a Falcon hater his whole career. Guy holding up the Michaels/Collinsworth for president sign last night must not have been a bird fan because he would have known that. We left some points on the table, but otherwise good, solid win. How bout some live coverage of the Monday night game. Sure would like to hear the you know who’s bloggers to see where their loyalty really lies. Ha Ha
Tennis Rodman
November 5th, 2012
6:31 am
You had Hines Ward sitting there as a Dawg with Super Bowl rings and MVPs and Collinsworth who is a sorry arse Gater hating on everything. Typical Gater trash.
Dr. Warren
November 5th, 2012
6:36 am
Thomas Brown—I like UGA well enough, but this is a Falcons blog. Jeff, why not delete obnoxiously long, misplaced posts?
Buddy Landel
November 5th, 2012
6:43 am
Thomas Brown, I don’t post transcripts of my dreams and neither should you.
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
6:45 am
Run Forrest, Run!
Tennis Rodman
November 5th, 2012
6:48 am
Buckeye: you boys done cheating up there or are you all just getting started?
drew
November 5th, 2012
6:48 am
Great win for Falcons…let’s keep it rolling!
And to all you thin-skinned media haters pouting about the lack of respect the national media gives the Falcons: STOP IT! Quit whining about lack of press…you sound like a bunch of needy little crybabies. Why do you need the press to validate what you already know? I think it’s great…Falcons need to just keep their heads down and their eyes on the prize. It’s coming…
Thomas Brown…lay down the meth pipe my friend…it’s getting the best of you.
The Dude
November 5th, 2012
6:49 am
Yeah…well…you know, that’s just like uhhh….your opinion man.
Cold cuts for anyone
November 5th, 2012
6:50 am
Well i see where that clown Matty choke Ryan is he change to Saw that1nce too hide…sayin Falcons game was fixed sheesh sore loser from dallas are a idiot in land..Get over it we 8-0 period!
Notso Fast
November 5th, 2012
6:59 am
All a team can do is win. They are probably not great but they may not know that. Ryan has to be the most improved quarterback in the NFL. Fun to watch.
Samuel
November 5th, 2012
7:02 am
Their the only team who’s 8-0 that is flying under the radar. I think down the stretch that’s good for the Falcons.
BubbaDaBaller
November 5th, 2012
7:07 am
They’ll get respect when they handle their post season business…Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in NOLA will afford them a few months worth then it’s back to the NFL mentality…Not For Long…
tempo
November 5th, 2012
7:13 am
500 teams that get hot in the playoffs are the teams that get respect in the end. Teams like the Indianapolis Colt teams that use to tear through the regular season with Peyton Manning and then get dumped in the playoffs are the teams that get no respect from the media or fans.
Honey boy
November 5th, 2012
7:17 am
Uhh Thomas… this is a Falcon blog numb nuts! Your rumblings make so little sense … Shave your back, put some clothes on and get some sleep…. Your a scary man…
ZinoDawg
November 5th, 2012
7:21 am
Only big issue I see is Dunta Robinson. He is god awful. A penalty or blown coverage waiting to happen.
How much are we paying that guy?
Skeptical of 23
November 5th, 2012
7:30 am
Zino, I think that number is $57 million, b ut I don’t remember over how many (whiffs) years.
NYC Dirty Bird
November 5th, 2012
7:33 am
The media is about ratings. NY, Dallas, Philly, and Washington are all top 10 tv markets. That is why the NFC East teams dominate the conversation on ESPN/NFL Network. Do not take it personal Falcons fans. Like Al Davis said, just win baby.
http://letstalknfl.com/its-not-personal-falcons-shouldnt-expect-any-more-respect-from-the-national-media-if-they-beat-dallas-sunday-night/
Carz
November 5th, 2012
7:35 am
Stop looking for Collinsworth to stroke your fan ego. He’s selling the league. The Cowboys still sell. He is not anti-Falcon. I think he does a great job of pointing out things that are going on, particularly on defense that a TV viewer might miss. For instance, the the Falcons were dropping Dent into that safety coverage on most pass downs, and how Peterson took out the lead blocker on 4th and short(huge play) so that others could make the tackle. The Gfalcons are not a nationally popular team yet. Let them become a regular playoff winner and that will change. The Cowboys live on that national reputation, even though their success is so far in the past. new orleans won the nation over. Now the Falcons need to.
TroutFalcon
November 5th, 2012
7:44 am
Julio Jones makes this Falcons offense so dynamic he is so physical and is a great compliment to Roddy White. Matt Ryan’s comfort level is amazing, there is just no way the opponents defense can cover everyone. This team has the potential to be great and win a championship, then I guess they’ll have to atleast acknowledge us.
heartofdarkness
November 5th, 2012
7:54 am
Sun Tzu would like where the Falcons are in this campaign and would make their profile work for them.
Gtanner
November 5th, 2012
7:57 am
Opening up NFL coverage on ESPN yesterday, they have an intro full of Falcons player quotes, then Suzy Kolber says, “Well we’re talking about you now guys.” Then the panel proceeded to talk about the Cowboys for five minutes with not a word about the Falcons and then they went on to another subject. It was hilarious.
falcon
November 5th, 2012
8:04 am
I’m proud of these Atlanta Falcons. Keep working men, we’re half way there.
JamesMoraSr
November 5th, 2012
8:07 am
Playoffs…Playoffs…Who’s talking about playoffs????
Paddy
November 5th, 2012
8:09 am
Most folks have not paid attention to ESPN for years. They have an agenda and will stick to it for the $.
Thomas Brown…..love your enthusiasm but we are talking Falcons not my Dawgs. Pick your spots, pal! It sort of makes you look like a goof!
Thinkaboutit
November 5th, 2012
8:11 am
T brown, it became obvious why you capped BUMP everytime. That devils dandruff will mess you up, bro! Just think how unstoppable the falcons would be with a real running game! To quote jay-z “on to the next one!”
Alternate Reality
November 5th, 2012
8:13 am
FYI, I switched over to ESPN 2 last night right after the game and Trent Dilfer was positively loving on the Falcons.
Billy
November 5th, 2012
8:23 am
Thomas Brown..get a life.
The Falconator
November 5th, 2012
8:24 am
Another great win. Don’t really care how they do it. Team effort is everything. Problem in the here and now: Run blocking still sucks. Turner, Quizz and company have nowhere to go when they get to the line. Check the replay. Turner’s best run came because Dallas defenders missed their assignments. Would be nice if the O-line could throw a few blocks instead of playing patty-cake and push. This has to be coachable. The post-season will end early again if it isn’t fixed. Go Dirty Birds!
afan
November 5th, 2012
8:25 am
Great job by Falcons 8-0…
How many times has Turner been caught from behind…but I like the bull!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
November 5th, 2012
8:26 am
Our overmatched O-line and D-line played poorly, as usual; Ryan was knocked down, hurried and sacked on nearly every play, while Romo had all day to find his receivers — and we still won. That’s on Matt “CHOKE” Ryan, AKA Noodle Arm — winningest QB in the NFL!
No animals were harmed in the making of this season.
HAHA
Edd
November 5th, 2012
8:31 am
Cry me a river. 8-0 Go Falcons !
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
8:37 am
Ternnis,
A handful of freshman kids traded stuff for tattoos. Wrong? Yes. Criminal?. No.
Three years later, Tressel learned of the transgression as a result of a federal drug investigation of the tattoo shop guy.
Tressel then made a decision to protect the kids and then lied to the NCAA.
He feel, hard, from grace as did Terrell Pryor. Mike Adams, by the way, started at RT for the Steelers yesterday.
The NCAA come down hard, we hired Urban and the rest is history.
P.S. We’re undefeated at 10-0 and #5 in the AP.
P.S.S. Thanks for asking.
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
8:38 am
Go Falcons!
Rodster
November 5th, 2012
8:43 am
Nice job Falcons. In the NFL, a win is a win. There aren’t any style points. All the teams have great players. The Falcons don’t dominate in any one phase of the game, but they find a way to have more points than the other team at the end of the game. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
8:51 am
Gotta love it. Tony G calls out the media, and after the Falcons walk away with the win, NFL network proceeds to show the post game conference with Dallas, and then continue to talk about the Cowboys for 10 minutes afterwards.
And who couldn’t help but laugh at the intro to Sunday Night Football, when Al Michaels says, “They’re probably the least talked about undefeated team.”
Um….it’s the guys like YOU that make them the least talked about undefeated team.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:52 am
“Because the last time I looked, the NFL hasn’t had another NFL undefeated team for a few weeks.
Which at this point means absolutely nothing. This is why the sports world mocks and laughs at Atlanta sports fans. When it counts, Atlanta teams fall flat on their faces and it happens every year.
Braves – collapse in the playoffs
Falcons – collapse in the playoffs
Hawks – collapse in the playoffs.
Thrashers – oh wait they don’t exist.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
Why did Roddy White call that sports reporter a man four times during an interview after the game?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
I hate to break it to Atlanta fans but they will not beat the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:57 am
“That is why the NFC East teams dominate the conversation on ESPN/NFL Network”
That’s not true at all. Philly gets talked about ONLY because of Mike “dog killer” Vick is falling apart. Washington gets talked about because of their rookie QB. NY gets talked about because they have a great team and won the SB. Dallas gets talked about because they suck so bad and have a lot of money.
Teams that don’t get talked about a lot are the Chicago Bears, which have the best defense in all of the NFL. The Packers are turning it around and they are in the smallest market in all of sports.
D man
November 5th, 2012
9:10 am
Here is some respect, the Falcons played terrible compared to how they are capable of playing last night and left the Cowboys scratching their heads. They should have won that game 40-6 but just did enough to get ahead and hold on. We are so much better than the rest of the league. They must have been looking ahead to next weeks game against the Saints. I imagine they have had that one circled on the calendar since last season. Let’s play a complete game against the Saints and put that argument to bed. Magic number to clinch is down to 4. Go FALCONS!!!
Nghia
November 5th, 2012
9:10 am
This is quite delightful, Let’s go all the way to 16-0 and win the superbowl, one game at a time.
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:19 am
When was the last time the Eagles won a superbowl, the last time dallas made it to the playoffs, and when did either have season beginning with 8 – 0? This resume crap is just that–crap. It is not what you did last year its what you are doing this year. A previous superbowl ring in the past has never gotten you another superbowl ring in the present or future. What disrespect to a team who is getting it done! Let’s face it, its not about football it’s all about the NFL staff–the commentators.
Dr. Phill
November 5th, 2012
9:22 am
The Dallas TD looked too easy, but it was still a great win for Atlanta. The announcers are as bad as McCarver and Buck.
JoeFann
November 5th, 2012
9:26 am
Really happy for the Falcons and the fans. Pleased that they’ve passed every test so far. Very happy with the new coordinators. Obviously, until they win the playoffs, they’ve earned little. The makeup of this team tells me they can, but they still have to do it. Looking across the league, I think Chicago looks like the strongest team. They’re physical, in a physical league. The Falcons are more finesse, and might be man-handled. The Ravens are also tough, as are the Texans. Gonna be a great game to watch next week between Houston-Chicago. That may tell us more about the future than the next Falcons game. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the Falcons and the regime, but my Kool-Aid is unsweetened. Still think we need another LB, and another DB wouldn’t hurt. We miss Grimes and Lofton, though Nolan has done wonders with WD40 and duct tape, and the players we have, have played up! Go Birds!
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:28 am
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
Will the bears make the playoffs?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:30 am
“Will the bears make the playoffs?”
7-1 record points to yes.
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:33 am
I have heard many times before, “Dont put the cart before the horse”! Many of you live in the past and cannot enjoy the present. The Falcons are breaking records every week and the NFC East is the weakest division of them all. No wonder the bears have only one loss. They have had 7 practice games.
extremus
November 5th, 2012
9:36 am
I’m excited that the Falcons are 8-0, but their “under the radar” situation isn’t exactly new. It’s kind of like many of the Batman films; seems anytime they have a prime time game the Falcons are Batman and another team and/or opposing QB (examples: Drew Brees and the Saints, Peyton Manning, the Cowboys) are the flamboyant villain who steals all the limelight. Atlanta just isn’t one of pro football’s “storied franchises” (Packers, Cowboys, Bears), feel-good stories (Saints), or mainstream media hubs (New York, Philadelphia, New England), so they’re considered less marketable. If the announcers seem to be pulling for the other team, part of it’s because a Giants/Saints/Cowboys/Bears/Packers NFC representation in the Superbowl would likely garner bigger ratings and revenue. In the end, it’s always about the money.
In a way, I’m fine with this, because if the Falcons were media darlings some of them might start believing their own press, and that would lead to complacency and very likely a hard fall. As far as the respect issue goes, I’ve said before that it really isn’t about Matt Ryan winning a playoff game; nothing less than a Superbowl championship would satisfy the national media or the naysayers that Ryan or the Falcons deserve “elite” status. But we have a lot of football left to play before a playoff spot is even secured, so I agree with Mike Smith’s mantra “one game at a time”. Yeah, it’s aggravating to hear network announcers being homeboys for the other team, but it makes winning all the more satisfying and vindicating, doesn’t it?
GO FALCONS!!!!
phil
November 5th, 2012
9:37 am
Jeff:
Has anybody has noticed the messed up headline for this blog post? Please get them to fix it…..
phil
November 5th, 2012
9:40 am
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
I hate to break it to Atlanta fans but they will not beat the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
************
And as a Birds’ fan who was there last night, I hate to agree with you. Unless we start putting the damn ball in the endzone some, it’s only a matter of time until the wheels come completely off. Chicago will destroy us in January the way things are going. Depressing to even consider but presently likely.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:42 am
Being 8-0 definitely matters. We have a four-game lead in the division, and we’re in the driver’s seat for a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Yes, I know we blew that opportunity two years ago, but I would still rather have a bye and home-field than not.
Obviously nothing guarantees a playoff win. But I like the grit and toughness I saw from this team last night. They’re smart; they’re resilient; they win when they’re not playing a perfect game. The coordinators are not stubborn and unchanging (Mularkey) or in over their heads (Van Gorder).
Oh, and I really wish we had those draft picks back instead of picking Julio. That trade will cripple this franchise for years to come.
And just for fun, I have to throw in my own complaint about the national media. When Jacquizz jukes no. 40 not just once, but twice, to get first downs, why does Cris Collinsworth bemoan the missed tackle? Why not give Jacquizz credit for juking the poor man out of his shoes? No way no. 40 is going to tackle Quiz in the open field. Give the man his due.
DamnYankee
November 5th, 2012
9:42 am
ajc.com has no mention of the Falcons either other than the link to this story under Sports. We don’t need media validation, but it would be nice if the home town media would get excited about a local success story.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:43 am
@Donnan:
And what does 8-0 point to?
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:45 am
@Donnan:
How big a jump was it from the sinking Saints ship to the Bears bandwagon?
[pats self on back for alliteration]
Left Coast Dawg
November 5th, 2012
9:50 am
The Bears couldn’t hold the Falcons jock strap!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:58 am
“Chicago will destroy us in January the way things are going. Depressing to even consider but presently likely.”
Chicago’s defense is lights out.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:58 am
“And what does 8-0 point to?”
Like I said earlier, the playoffs.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
9:58 am
” hate to break it to Atlanta fans but they will not beat the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.”
And what’s so great about the Bears exactly? They’ve beaten Carolina, Indy, St. Louis, Dallas, Jacksonville, and Detroit.
So Atlanta’s undefeated season isn’t impressive, BUT THE BEARS, OMG DID YOU GUYS SEE THEM PLAY THE JAGUARS!!
Get a clue
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:59 am
“The Bears couldn’t hold the Falcons jock strap!”
Stats don’t lie, Dawg. Put the Falcons offense/defense stats up against each other and the Bears beat them on almost every single stat.
Care to compare Bears defense with Falcons defense?
StillPissedatEugeneRobinson
November 5th, 2012
10:00 am
@Nite Own… If 8-0 is crippled, break my other leg too.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
10:01 am
“And what’s so great about the Bears exactly?”
DEFENSE.
“Get a clue”
That Dallas team that Atlanta struggled with last night was destroyed by the Bears defense.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
10:03 am
“Like I said earlier, the playoffs.”
And like I said in an earlier blog, they have to play the regular season first. The playoffs don’t just randomly happen in various areas of the season.
Hard concept I know.
And even then, like Tony G even said, playoffs don’t matter either. It’s Super Bowl or bust. Nobody says, “Well we’re out of it for the year, but at least we got a play off win.”
Well, a loses mentality probably does.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
10:04 am
“The playoffs don’t just randomly happen in various areas of the season.”
0-3 in the playoffs says otherwise.
“And even then, like Tony G even said, playoffs don’t matter either.”
Which is why the Falcons are 0-3 with this current roster.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
10:05 am
DEFENSE.
The Bears Defense is no better or worse than Atlanta’s. Bears also struggled against Carolina.
So what’s so great about them again?
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
10:06 am
“The playoffs don’t just randomly happen in various areas of the season.”
0-3 in the playoffs says otherwise.
—-
So your response to there being no playoffs in the regular season is they’re 0-3 in the playoffs.
Got it.
Benjamin
November 5th, 2012
10:06 am
The rest of the schedule is quite manageable. The thing I like about this team is it seems like the kind of team that can “put points on the board when they need to.” Not sure I trust any quarterback / kicker combination in the game with two minutes on the clock and starting a drive – seems like they always get three or seven in that scenario, and it’s been played several times in the course of this season; also, we’re making very few mistakes, not doing things like committing stupid penalties or fumbling the football.
I really like the makeup of this team, regardless of how things turn out.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
10:09 am
“The Bears Defense is no better or worse than Atlanta’s. Bears also struggled against Carolina.”
The Bears defense is light years ahead of Atlanta’s. The Falcons also struggled against Carolina.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
10:10 am
“So your response to there being no playoffs in the regular season is they’re 0-3 in the playoffs.”
Reading comprehension isn’t your thing, is it?
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
10:10 am
@StillPissed:
Yep, that was sarcasm. In context, you’ll see that I’m a huge Falcons fan, and I’m poking fun at all the prognosticators who thought it was a bad trade.
@Donnan:
People around here are kind of tired of that schtick. First we heard it from the Saints people, and they’ve all pretty much disappeared. Then it was the national media reminding us about the Niners (haven’t won anything), Bears (ditto—although I do remember 1985), Giants (well, okay, I’ll grant that one, but they don’t exactly look like world-beaters this year), and Packers (15-1 last year, fell flat on their face in the playoffs).
So forgive us if we just kind of yawn at someone popping up after eight games and telling us who the new boogeyman is that we should be afraid of. We don’t care. Prove it on the field.
I, for one, have enjoyed seeing the Eagles franchise get crushed and scatter like so many cockroaches, and now we have done the same to the Cowboys. The next best thing to respect is making the other team doubt their manhood. I’ll take it.
And if you get your jollies cheering for a slug like Jay Cutler, well then, the joke’s on you.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
10:13 am
Nite Owl
The teams you mentioned have all won the big game at some point in time. The Falcons not so much. Jay Cutler can actually win playoff games unlike Matt Ryan. If Cutler stays healthy then the Bears win.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
10:18 am
And by the way, we’re not 0-3 in the playoffs with the “current roster.”
Asante Samuel, Julio Jones, Jacquizz Rogers, who all played pretty well last night. Then you have the new coordinators, which kind of makes a difference, if you’ve been paying attention. And Matt Ryan keeps getting better and better.
Nobody around here is scared of the Bears. We’ve been doing this all year without Brent Grimes, and last night we didn’t have our best defensive player in Spoon.
But whatever. Your broken record will keep playing on, so enjoy the blog.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
10:21 am
I’m just a little aggravated that for over 12 weeks (pre-season included), every time there’s talk about the Falcons, it’s always the playoff stat.
That stat carries a lot of weight…………when the playoffs start.
I honestly think that being brought up now, is worse than having to hear or read about the MV7 and Petrino disaster every time the Falcons are mentioned.
rdh
November 5th, 2012
10:23 am
“if anybody has noticed”
Everyone has noticed… yet no one has noticed. Even at 8-0, the entire league is still not believing. You still have sports commentators giving opposing teams… teams with .500 or worse records… the nod against the falcons. It means no one believes. It means that every week the team coming in thinks it is a fluke or just luck that have the Falcons at 8-0.
But you know what? That’s good. It means that, every single week, every team comes in thinking that the Falcons aren’t as good as their record. Every single week, teams underestimate the Falcons. That all plays to the Falcons’ benefit.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
10:23 am
“So your response to there being no playoffs in the regular season is they’re 0-3 in the playoffs.”
Reading comprehension isn’t your thing, is it?”
Strawman arguments are the only thing you’ve got isn’t it? LOL
You can’t bring down the undefeated team. No matter how hard you try. You WANT to be fan, I can tell. Just enjoy the Falcons being 8-0.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
10:27 am
@Ivan:
I agree. As for me, I get tired of getting sucked in by some troll who wants to rain on everyone’s parade. I tell myself that I’m not going to take the bait, but I just can’t help myself.
But if this is the worst we have to deal with, some guy (probably Seen or Choke with a new name) throwing the Bears at us, then I guess I can deal with it.
So here it is, Donnan. Yes, the Bears are a very good team. They have a very good defense. I think it would be a good game between the Falcons and the Bears in the playoffs. Jay Cutler is an idiot and a whiner. The Bears haven’t won the Super Bowl since 1985, so I don’t really care if they’ve won a playoff game here or there.
Now go away until the playoffs start. I’m going to celebrate the best record in the NFL with my fellow Falcons fans.
Falcon James
November 5th, 2012
10:27 am
It is frustrating to all Falcon Fan to turn on ESPN or NFL network and see more about Cam Newton than the Falcon. It’s tough to listen to people like Collinsworth call the games. I don’t understand why, but I love watching this team battle every week.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
10:32 am
Cris Collinsworth condescending to Hines Ward on the pre-game last night was something to see. I think Hines wanted to take him into the tunnel and tune him up. Hines has Super Bowl rings and could break Cris in half if he wanted to.
Hines agreed that on a neutral field the Falcons would probably not be favored against the Packers, Bears, Niners, and Giants. But that didn’t reflect Hines’ own opinion on the team; instead, he was admitting that the national media would not favor them. So Cris made it seem like Hines was just being a homer who didn’t want his house egged.
Hines, you showed great restraint. Way to be classy and not punch his lights out.
The Big Fat Blogger
November 5th, 2012
10:32 am
Donnan and Phil,
As a long time suffering Falcon Fan, I can somewhat understand your logic and skepticism; however, like some have said already, the True Falcon Fans are tired about hearing about “last year, or the year before, and etc.” True, we have been teased of late by Ryan and this Falcon Team when it comes to the playoffs, but this is a “new year” and what You, the National Media, and other Fans from various Teams seem to fail to understand is that this league (despite a few patterns) isn’t built on the year before, now is the time for the Falcons to make their mark. We are 8-0 in the first time in Franchise history, have one of the best D-Coordinator’s in the game, and everyone is somewhat healthy (knocks on wood). I have been a Falcons Fan for longer than some of you have been born and I can honestly say that this Team gives more more reason to be optimistic than any other Falcon Team in their history, only maybe the 1980 and 1998 Teams gave me (almost) as much hope as this team.
Enkinan
November 5th, 2012
10:42 am
Watching Julio burn Ware in the backfield made me giggle.
Everyone can talk whatever crap they want. This team is going to play each week and go from there. We will see where that gets them at the end of the year. Hopefully it ends with a Lombardi.
Jay
November 5th, 2012
10:46 am
Why is Atlanta always held to a different standard? In order for the Falcons to succeed, the Saints, darlings of the media, must lose. That’s why.
Where was all this “not winning in the playoffs” criticism of the ascending Saints in 2009?
And how the heck can they win a playoff game DURING the season if that’s the only currency to buy respect?
drew
November 5th, 2012
10:58 am
It’s apparent that many “fans”, detractors, and commentators alike, simply won’t be impressed with the Falcons until they win a Super Bowl (or at least a playoff game). Fine…that’s your right. So keep on doubting, worrying, fretting, dismissing, and distancing yourselves from the team. The rest of us will get on with enjoying the moment. As a long time fan, I’ve suffered more than my fair share of disappointment, and I gonna enjoy this season until there’s nothing left to enjoy. If the Falcons trip again in the first round of the playoffs, I’ll be as pissed as the next guy. But I’m not gonna sit on my hands and expect the worse…I’m gonna enjoy every minute of the season to it’s max, and we’ll cross the playoff bridge when we get to it.
And Thomas Brown…what’s your problem? Are you retarded or something? If you want to suck the dawgsdicks, go on over to THEIR blog and post your gibberish there. OK then.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
I’m not going in to work for another half-hour, so I have time to write long posts like this (sorry in advance). This post is meant only to celebrate how far the Falcons have come, not just since the mess of 2007 but overall as a franchise. Not interested in comparing our history to the Packers or the Bears; there’s obviously no comparison. I’m sure the playoff victories will come in due time, probably this year, but I’m taking the long view as a fan.
The difference between 2012 and those Falcons teams of 1980 and 1998 is stability in management. It took a while for Arthur Blank to put the right pieces in place, but they all played their part.
Rich McKay: kept Todd McClure around, traded for John Abraham, drafted Roddy White, Justin Blalock, Stephen Nicholas, and Jason Snelling. All still big contributors to the team. Yes, he was kicked upstairs and stripped of personnel duties, but people overlook how valuable he is as President, just keeping the organization running in a top-notch way. (As opposed to say, Taylor Smith, or someone who had to be stretched a bit thin by personnel and coaching duties like Coach Reeves.) He lets TD focus on football only.
Thomas Dimitroff: drafted Matt Ryan, Sam Baker (hi Baker haters!), Harry Douglas, Thomas DeCoud, Kroy Biermann, Peria Jerry, Willam Moore, Christopher Owens, Lawrence Sidbury, Garrett Reynolds, Vance Walker, Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Dominique Franks, Julio Jones, Akeem Dent, Jacquizz Rodgers, Matt Bosher, Cliff Matthews, Peter Konz, and several others from this year’s draft who will probably contribute or provide depth in the future.
I defy anyone to find another franchise who has stayed with that many draft picks for that long, and been patient enough to see them bear fruit. Maybe the Steelers? Patriots? That’s half the roster stocked with draft picks from the last five drafts.
And apart from the draft, TD has brought in Michael Turner and Dunta Robinson, traded for Tony Gonzalez and Asante Samuel, and found guys like Grimes and Roberto McClain off the scrap heap.
The coaching staff, after a few bad hires, is finally right where it needs to be. The patience to stick with this offensive line, to stick with Michael Turner after everyone wanted to get rid of him this year, to ignore the critics who said we gave up too much for Julio, to bring in coordinators who were smart NFL veterans who treat men like men.
Yes, I know I went on a very long rant. But I’m still amazed, after years of the Smith family and years of inconsistency, that we have finally gotten it so right. If the only criticism the haters can throw at us is that we haven’t won a playoff game yet, after making the playoffs three out of four years, and having four straight (soon to be five) winning seasons, I’ll take it. It shows how far we’ve come.
wes h
November 5th, 2012
11:08 am
turner is still unimpressive. He got a 43 yard run sure. Only because of the huge hole from D playing the wrong D. Any back can get 43 yards if they aren’t touched. It’s the fact that every running play is him running into the middle of a huge pile. It’s like watching a game of Madden.
Matt
November 5th, 2012
11:12 am
I’m still wondering what happened to the Falcons in the Atlanta/Oakland game. Oakland at the time was the worst team in the NFL and in that game had -110 yards in penalties!! yet the Falcons struggled all game and somehow squeaked out a win with seconds left in the game..
So since people/media can’t respect the 8-0 record with games like that then I think the Falcons should bring back the Jamal Anderson ‘Dirty Bird’ dance!! That should take us to the SB! woo woo!
The Big Fat Blogger
November 5th, 2012
11:15 am
Amen Nite Owl!!!!!! Good Post
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
11:19 am
Cold cuts @6:15am………Judging from your post, you must be standing on the brink of illiteracy.
I stated in my comment @ 4:12am….that the Falcons had to beat the Cowboy, and that they had to beat the NFL officials on the field of play.
They also had to contend with the NFL official reviewing the plays from the booth in the stands.
Can you comprehend that?
And yes, it looked like a NFL fix was on, in favor of the Cowboys, just like the NFL fix that allowed the Saints to win the 2009 SB.
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
11:21 am
phil @ 9:40am………You have to be one of the biggest whining, ’someone peed on my birthday cake’, DOWNERS on these AJC blogs.
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
11:27 am
And yes, Chris Collinsworth is one of biggest and most disliked jerks on sports TV, and the Falcons ‘don’t get no respect’ from the national media.
But why should anyone give a diddly-squat about ESPN, the NFL Network, of any of the rest of them.
go falcons
tom
November 5th, 2012
11:32 am
Talking head Jaworski today said Michael Turner finally showed up. Well, he shows up every game. Problem is they either run him up the gut and or the line does not give him a crease. If he gets a crease and running on or outside the tackle he rumbles more often than not. Ryan does not get much time to find and open man or extend the play due to the poor protection. Fix or he gets hurt or we lose. He cannot continue to do what he does without help.
BigHittas
November 5th, 2012
11:54 am
someone pointed out the style the Birds are playing…..penalties and mistakes. Does this team remind anyone of the Reeves team that went to the Superbowl? Seems we have even more offensive weapons now. I’m wondering if history might repeat itself? Even maybe the same opponent?
Jsonic
November 5th, 2012
12:04 pm
At Thomas Brown.
Notre Dame would wax the Bulldogs. Be careful what you wish for.
Falcons are awesome! Let them stay below the radar! Better that way. If it keeps up only the media will continue to downplay them cause you can bet other teams won’t!
PMC
November 5th, 2012
12:10 pm
Don’t even pay attention to if Falcons. Just keep your heads down, we’ll shout at the moron sportswriters for you.
These losers are going to complain about the free Super Bowl food and the weather, no matter what happens.
PMC
November 5th, 2012
12:12 pm
Columns really don’t matter, words that they say don’t matter.
We know that you’re better. We see that you’re better. Just love seeing you play your tails off every week.
PMC
November 5th, 2012
12:14 pm
Everything that people ask for, next man up, playing through adversity… finding a way to win, tackling well, fundamentals. This team IS.
Could they use more talent on defense? Absolutely, Could they use a better line? Of course. But they are 8-0. Haters gonna hate.
PMC
November 5th, 2012
12:18 pm
It’s not “respect” that bothers me, it’s making up things about this team that aren’t true.
Every single thing written is well they aren’t really an 8-0 team I mean they should have at least 4 losses. Except they don’t.
It’s not a lack of respect. These people are not even paying attention. They are making things up that simply aren’t true.
Same thing is going on with Notre Dame this year… yes I know, for the first time in human history, Notre Dame is actually Underrated
Southside
November 5th, 2012
12:30 pm
@DanWeiner
You summed it up! I say use the “No Respect” sentiment as fuel. We don’t care about the national media. Play one game at a time and when we reach the play offs, we’ll get our respect then.
Go Birds!
Skeptic
November 5th, 2012
12:46 pm
Has Anyone noticed that the Falcons have not yet beat a team which has a winning record (except the Broncos whom were still trying to figure out their offense), meaning more wins than losses? Thats why they have not yet earned the respect… Have a fluffy schedule, just like the year they won and got into playoffs and then got stomped by Green Bay.
Matt
November 5th, 2012
1:30 pm
I’ve always felt that the Falcons schedule is pretty weak. Their division doesn’t get much respect other than the Saints,when they’re good. The Tampa (maybe) and (of course) Giants game will be a good test for the Falcons. (doing the dirty bird)…
After further review...
November 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
The Falcons do keep winning andthat is a great accomplishment. If you are wondering why they don’t get that much respect yet despite their record, look at the collective won-loss records of the teams they’ve beaten so far. For that matter, the teams left on the schedule aren’t that impressive righ tnow, either. The playoffs will be the real test.
NOTE TO THOMAS BROWN: The Bulldongs beat Forida DESPITE Aaron Murry – they were kept in the game by their defense, which finally played as billed, and by the fact that Forida commited twice as many turnovers as they did. As far as Kansas State and ND are concernedL: both beat Oklahoma, who was in the top five when K-state beat them, and in the top 10 when ND beat them. Yes they’ve slipped ot # 12 at the moment, but your assertion that neither of them has beaten a rannked opponent doen’t stand up. Sorry. In addition, the only currentloy ranked team that UGA has beaten thus far is Florida . They did play a still-ranked South Carolina, team, but that didn’t work out so well. And let’s not forget that Georgia has had a couple of games where they had to struggle to beat opponents that they should have dominated. IF the Bulldongs win out, including the SEC championnship game against, presumably, Alabama, then you can make your case for how they deserve a shot a the BCS title game. However, don’t expect to win that fight if Oregon, ND, and Kansas State all continue to win.
After further review...
November 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Sorry, just noticed the typo. Should say Bulldogs. They are having a good season, and I’d like to see them keep winning. I just don’t think they’ll get past Alabama, and evven if they do, they don’t have a good shot at the BCS champinoship game as long as the other teams ahead of them keep winning. Sorry, Thomas Brown, but all three of the teams you mention have beten as many top 25 teams as your Bulldogs have so far this season, and some of them have beaten more than one.
Frontman
November 5th, 2012
2:06 pm
If the Pups don’t lose by 21+ points to Ala-d4mn-bama I will be extremely surprised. They only have 2 good teams on their schedule: one beat them like a rented donkey and the other one turned the ball over 6 times and was within an eyelash of sending the game to OT. Don’t care about them, though – if the Falcons keep winning, everything is taken care of…
Frontman
November 5th, 2012
2:07 pm
tom,
The problem with Turner is that he doesn’t get to the creases, not that they aren’t there.
Not Impressed
November 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the Falcons get blown out by playoff teams with lessor records (Green Bay 10-6 & New York 9-7)?
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
@Not Impressed:
Corrrecting you. You are wrong.
The 2012 Falcons didn’t play in those games. Don’t you get tired of the same old schtick?
Tad
November 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
Hey Drew… easy on the media critics because the media deserves the derision.
Atlanta may not be the largest market and our Falcons don’t need the media’s approbation, but we’ve got a lot of fans here that pay their cable/satellite bill too. After yet another win by our undefeated team, when we get home from work Monday and settle down for some ESPN or NFL channel it would be nice to turn on our tvs and get relatively unbiased analysis and Falcon-focused conversation for getting wins from these so-called professionals and experts. Instead, if we’re not subjected to hours of nonsense on the pathetically irrelevant Jets/Tebow or some drama surrounding the team we just beat, the “playoff anvil” continues to get dropped on the Falcons despite their current and previous regular season records. That might be ok if we were in the playoffs but we’re NOT in the playoffs… we’re only halfway through the season.
Chief76
November 5th, 2012
4:12 pm
Skeptic, last I checked San Diego was 3-0 when we played them. They are 4-4 now. So is your criteria the other teams record when we play them or when you decide to make a comment?
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
4:12 pm
skeptic @12:46……Haven’t looked at the Falcon’s opponents records this week.
But, as of last weeks standing, when dunces such as yourself were saying they “hadn’t defeated a team with a winning record”, other than the Broncs, the reason 3 of those opposing teams didn’t have “winning records was because the Falcons had beaten them, and 1 opposing team would of had a .500 record, if the Falcons had not beaten it.
Pay attention skid mark.
SawThat1nce
November 5th, 2012
4:17 pm
Not impressed @2:55…….correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t both of those teams that you mentioned, defeat every other team that they faced in the playoffs, the same years they played the Falcons in the playoffs, as in SB Champs for 2010 and 2011 seasons. Moron.
Not Impressed
November 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
@Night Owl…….
So in the 2010 playoffs the 10-6 Packers did not win 48-21?
The 2011 Giants did not win 24-2?
Please correct me. Thank You.
Not Impressed
November 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
@SawThat1nce
I have one word for you……ha
Choke on my grits
November 6th, 2012
2:59 am
Saints are next In line….
Choke on my grits
November 6th, 2012
3:13 am
@Not Impressed …your handle says It all…matter of fact your cutting your own throat with your stupidity….If your team,(whoever they are),we’re 8-0…I’m sure as a fan, you would be whooping It up.Yeah…we’ve lost playoff games but we’re In the process and getting better all the time….just a matter of time before this organization hoists a Lombardi trophy whether all you haters like It or not…
Greg from Hampton
November 6th, 2012
8:36 am
When we beat the 49ers, the Giants, the Bears, the Packers, or even the Steelers, THEN we’ll be the best. Maybe.
Truckstop
November 6th, 2012
8:44 am
What if the Falcons win the Super Bowl and never be recognized the football world as a great or even good team? Would it matter? Seriously, what’s the big deal of having to have the media embrace you.
Actually, not being recognized is a good thing – it keeps you hungry and it helps them avoid getting fat off all the hyperbole.
Falcons – just win the Big One. Let the football world decide how they want to handle that.
LAME
November 6th, 2012
11:34 am
No one notices or cares because the FALCONS are LAME. Dem Who Dats gon spice ya’ll up come Sunday – BAMM!
Jeff – if you can’t make it to NOLA I’ll send you a Free Sean Payton TSHIRT from DA DOME. They are in high demand.
Bruce Raglin in HI.
November 6th, 2012
1:57 pm
the falcons have won n the playoffs only not under there most successful coach, however with the new coordinators its a good chance that could change. the last few years i felt the offense was to predictable and the defense to vanilla. but after the Denver game it seems that coach Nolan has all so grown as a defensive coordinator his adaptability and use of players has been awesome. this is a very good team and staff watch out this is the year of the FALCON just make it 9-0 baby beat the saints .