Falcons’ offense hits wall, but as usual it doesn’t matter (UPDATED)
After this beauty of a touchdown catch by Tony Gonzalez made it 14-0, the Falcons' offense fizzled against New Orleans, but it didn't matter. (AP photo)
(UPDATED: 12:30 a.m.)
They keep it interesting, don’t they?
The Falcons came out against the New Orleans Saints Thursday night as if determined to bury their recent nemesis’ playoff hopes six feet under (which at least has the advantage of being out of egg-chucking range).
They led 7-0 less than four minutes into the game and 14-0 just 52 seconds into the second quarter. Most impressive of all was their offense, which is the side of the ball that ultimately will determine how far this team goes in the playoffs.
They discovered a new wrinkle: The running play. Michael Turner had a 35-yard run on the game’s second play, and before the first quarter ended he had already rushed for more yards (67) than he had in all but three of the previous 11 games.
Then the Falcons’ offense did something uncommon for any New Orleans Saints’ opponent: They hit a wall.
A team blessed with offensive weapons all over the field couldn’t gain a first down, couldn’t catch a pass, couldn’t accomplish diddly.
Did it matter? No. That’s what much of this Falcons’ season has been like: “OK, maybe they did (fill in the blank) wrong, but it didn’t matter…”
They are 11-1. New Orleans is 5-7 and probably just had its postseason hopes extinguished. The Falcons will celebrate that.
“Our big thing is to just win the game,” defensive end John Abraham said. “We can’t worry about the small, things. We can’t let anything from the outside get to us. We hear, ‘They can’t do this. They can’t do that.’ We don’t care. We just keep winning games.”
The win, they will celebrate. The Saints’ fall to 5-7, they will celebrate. (Roddy White: “I told Will Smith after the game, ‘See you next year.’”) The usually high-pyrotechnic offense, they won’t celebrate.
In the first five possessions that followed Tony Gonzalez’s 17-yard touchdown reception, which made it 14-0, the Falcons went three-and-out four times and had a gift 45-yard field goal (a two-yard drive that followed Drew Brees’ second of a career-high five interceptions). To recap: That’s five possessions, zero first downs, three points and net yardage of 9, 2, 9, 3 and 0 (total 23).
The Falcons finished with only 283 yards in offense. “They started doing a lot of things on defense, bringing down their safeties,” Julio Jones said. “We had some problems but we’ll fix them.”
They make it interesting. They make it maddening. They are your Falcons.
“We wanted to get after them early and we did that,” White said. “We kinda made it look easy. Then after that we got kind of complacent.
“I felt like that was worse than the six-turnover game (against Arizona, also a win).There are a lot of things we have to fix. This is our mini-bye week, so we have to get in there and see what we’re doing wrong and get back to the big things that we can do.”
The old boxing trainer, George Benton, used to say: “Win tonight. Look good in the next fight.”
This Falcons seem to have adopted that philosophy.
This is when nobody complains. Credit the defense for the five interceptions and holding Brees without a touchdown pass for the first time since October of 2009 (a streak of 54 games). Credit the offense for at least not turning the ball over Credit kicker Matt Bryant for nailing a 55-yard field goal with 4:25 left to provide a 10-point lead, 23-13.
Credit the Falcons for beating a team that they entered the night 2-11 against in recent years — an ugly run of infamy. (White, as if on cue: “We’re not going to celebrate when we beat those guys. We expect to win.”)
This has become one of the NFL’s nastiest rivalries. Animosity has spilled over to the fan bases. Who would expect that the Saints, after arriving at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport Wednesday night, would be met by EMDs (Eggs of Mass of Destruction)?
Their charter bus was hit with up to four flying eggs by an unidentified airport worker, who probably could run for mayor right now.
“Christmas gifts are on me,” White said, laughing.
Now, I don’t endorse any sports fan throwing any objects at any person or vehicle. But at least Atlanta sports fans can no longer be accused of being devoid of passion. And maybe, finally, it was a sign that the Falcons have lit a fire under this town. At 11-1, one would hope so.
By Jeff Schultz
Been kind of busy lately. If you need to catch up…
• Braves need this free agent splurge on B.J. Upton to pay off
• Weekend Predictions: Georgia pulls the upset but Tech goes down
• Georgia’s best chance vs. Alabama may be to step on the gas
• SEC title would mean Georgia’s return to elite status
• Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt
• Short takes (UGA): Rambo’s ascent, Gurley’s comfort
• Upsetting Georgia would give Tech needed boost for future
• Weekend Predictions: Georgia will win on Red-and-Black-Saturday
• Vince Dooley: Joy from Georgia’s resurgence, pain from son’s firing
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104 comments Add your comment
zzggyy
November 29th, 2012
11:56 pm
I thought Brees threw 5 ints.
Remarkable
November 30th, 2012
12:03 am
Second. He did1
TechDan
November 30th, 2012
12:04 am
zzggyy, he did. Schultz starts writing the columns before the game is over. It’s pretty common and an easy mistake to fix.
Intellectual Ninja
November 30th, 2012
12:08 am
There is nothing worse, nothing more cowardly than play-not-to-lose football.
Mike Smith is the King of Prevent Offense.
No team with this kind of offensive talent plays so stupidly.
Someone please explain me why the Falcons deploy so many 2 TE sets? STILL???
IT’S LIKE PLAYING ONLY 10 MEN ON OFFENSE!!!
With 3 and half minutes left and a 10-point lead, Super Bowl-winning coaches like Bill Belichick, Mike McCarthy, and others with rings want to score again to put the other team away.
Play-not-to-lose coaches like Mike Smith or Marty Schottenheimer go into Ultra Prevent Offense and try to salt the clock away.
Invariably, ALWAYS giving the other team the ball back with another chance to score. As in Turner’s fumble.
I hate play-not-to-lose football. I hate Mike Smith CONTINUALLY interfering with the Falcons’ offense.
Where’s the NO-HUDDLE? Where’s the 3-4 WR sets? Where’s the explosiveness?
Hey Mike… LEAVE DIRK KOETTER ALONE!!!
USMC DAWG
November 30th, 2012
12:10 am
Go Falcons!
Remarkable
November 30th, 2012
12:14 am
Intellectual Ninja. Go away. We’re celebrating here! The Falcons won and Mike Smith is a BIG part of the winning.
IlliniDawg
November 30th, 2012
12:15 am
Gotta wait to write the story Jeff. 5 INTS for Bress and a Michael Turner fumble for a Sainst TD that was fortunately called back.
Answer This
November 30th, 2012
12:15 am
We are 11-1 so I have no complaints….but Mike Smith keep your ideas and hands off the offense!
IlliniDawg
November 30th, 2012
12:18 am
Existential question: if a “running” back is only good for 2 or 3 “runs” early in the game, and then quickly runs out of gas for the rest of the game, can he be called a “walking” back instead? Or at least a “jogging” back?
Turner needs to go. NOW.
clark kent
November 30th, 2012
12:24 am
Did the replacement refs come back to officiate this game? Roddy getting virtually tackled on the second drive of the game, Turner having forward progress stopped for about 10 seconds before being stripped of the ball. The phantom off-sides by Abraham negating a brilliant interception. Missing the Moore interception on the following play only to have it confirmed by replay.
The calls were just brutal.
aints suck
November 30th, 2012
12:32 am
READ MY NAME…….. nough said
aints suck
November 30th, 2012
12:34 am
How soon until the Aints fan base gets in here and accuses the FALCONS of cheating? I have already seen one person make the accusation on ESPN.com
gary32
November 30th, 2012
12:41 am
Mike Nolan will be the reason the last 3 years playoff losses will end….stop mole faces last 55 game streak with a td and the most interceptions Breesus has ever thrown in a game….its funny how what goes around comes around…long way from mole face breaking the touchdown record last year are we not….suck it Saints!!!!!!
diamonddaveincali
November 30th, 2012
12:51 am
until brees came to the aints, the Falcons had an 8 year lead in terms of wins. they won 16 more than the aints, and because we play them twice a year, that makes it a 8 year lead. so brees comes in and wins 11 out of 14. we have a six game lead overall. I would not say the aints own us, heck they just “Got Banged”.
Hey SeenThisB4, what happened buddy. drew threw five picks today, is he as bad as Matty Ice?
heck yeah, brees sucks. he sucks georgia dome air!
hahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha
now wait til we win the Super Bowl on your field sucka!!!!!
Ole Smoky
November 30th, 2012
12:56 am
Well said.. Bout time !
Jeff Schultz
November 30th, 2012
12:58 am
Best post-game quote comes from Roddy White (on the egg-thrower): “Christmas gifts are on me.”
gary32
November 30th, 2012
1:01 am
Hey Seen This Before……..well you never have seen this before have your….your precious Breesus throws the most picks he has ever thrown in a game and breaks his streak of 55 consecutive games with a td……remember last year and how he came in to break the td record with the game well out of hand….well what goes around comes around…enjoy your off season…lol
Maconfalcon
November 30th, 2012
1:02 am
Guess what those of you writing in criticism of Mike Smith as well as Michael Turner? The Falcons are 11 – 1 & that is the best record in the whole NFL…. I think that demonstrates Coach knows a little about what he is doing & that’s why he makes his money coaching the Falcons & YOU don’t!
gary32
November 30th, 2012
1:02 am
Let me say just one more thing…..I HATE THE SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
gritz-blitz 2
November 30th, 2012
1:23 am
A great hard fought game. On to the next game. OH WHAT A RUSH !!!!! BTW, it can’t get no better than to beat them CAINT”S!!! Here is a idea for all for all CAINT’S fans and BREES fans go get a paper bag and wear it for the rest of the season.
Eric C.
November 30th, 2012
1:44 am
It is a huge concern to me that 12 games into the season, the Falcons have scored more than 30 pts only ONCE and have often looked anemic on offense against teams like the Raiders, Panthers, Cowboys, Cardinals and Saints.
This WILL NOT get it done in the playoffs. There is no way a team with this kind of talent on offense shouldn’t occasionally score 35+ points! Every game, the coaches and players talk about “fixing” these issues, but time is running out.
And strangely enough, some of their worst games are at home…will getting the #1 seed really be a good thing? I’m not sure.
flcATL
November 30th, 2012
1:59 am
no team in the nfc can match up with ATL—the falcons can beat new england in the super bowl—book it!
Adogg36
November 30th, 2012
2:11 am
Eric; c Dey on siruis radio talking about what u just blog about shaky win against teams we should have dominated.especially home games.
Stinger2
November 30th, 2012
4:55 am
Eric and Adogg36: All winning teams have some wins that are “shaky”. Any win is better than a loss. Be thankful and positive. Maybe the next win will be decisive instead of shaky.
tony
November 30th, 2012
6:03 am
The falcons need to draft Sheldon Richardson, Abry Jones and David Bass. Falcon’s defensive front is awfully weak.
Longtimefan
November 30th, 2012
6:34 am
Cannot please some fans. 11-1 team coming on the heels of a beatdown against hated rivals at home. Cmon man! No teams are perfect. Can’t we just celebrate instead of listing all the perceived deficiencies? What does it take to make some of you guys happy? Probably closet Saints fans.
Esquire
November 30th, 2012
6:35 am
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
Esquire
November 30th, 2012
6:55 am
Shout out to the entire defense!! Another big game by Robert McClain, the Bierman, William Moore, DeCoud, Owens filling in for Samuel……….!!! #55, Dunta, Babs,
Big time SHOUT OUT TO MATT BRYANT!!
Thomas Brown
November 30th, 2012
7:28 am
1st Stage Down :
FALCONS WON egged Saints bus by Airport workers
New Orleans Saints had beat Falcons 4 straight games, but Drew Brees threw 5 interceptions, and for the 1st time in 54 games, Drew Brees threw no TD pass – none that counted anyway.
____________________________________________
NEXT UP :
Georgia Bulldogs’ SEC Championship Game – an SEC team has NEVER gone to The SEC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons and NOT WON 1 of the 2 games.
Alabama did not go last year, or the year before that, or the year before that. The redshirt freshman who played in The SEC Championship for Alabama in the 4th game back now this season would be seniors this season. Those are the only players on Alabama who have been to The SEC Championship Game.
Georgia played last year, and so if in keeping, Georgia wins to keep Atlanta rolling this weekend.
Esquire
November 30th, 2012
7:31 am
Found this on NOLA (reprinted without permission)
Meanwhile, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had to eat his words after the NFL Network cameras eavesdropped on his pregame rallying speech to his teammates, when he said, “This is our division. We know it, and they know it.”
Brees was asked after the game if that had officially changed.
“No. No. We feel like we’re at the top of this division. And unfortunately this year our record doesn’t reflect that. Ut certaintly I feel like we’ve got that confidence and that pride. We’ve got a great division … but we’ve got a lot of confidence in where we stand.”
***************************************************
Even in losing they remain magnanimous bastards.
kingdaddy
November 30th, 2012
7:37 am
Is it me, or does anyone else think we need to get Linemen…BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. Have to give Abe & Bierman credit for high-revving motors last night. Also a banged-up secondary that hung in there. The Defense was heads-up all night. That’s how we got the picks. The entire Defense deserved the game-ball…
Bill
November 30th, 2012
7:43 am
Turner ran well when they lined up Mike Cox as a lead blocker.
Mask of False Bravado
November 30th, 2012
8:23 am
Intellectual Ninja- The reason Mike McCarthy passes to put the other team away is because they have no running game. Also, both the Packers and Pats seem to protect the QB better than our O-Line. There is a better chance to turn the ball over by passing (INT, sack/fumble) than there is by rushing (fumble). It just so happens that MT had a rare fumble last night.
Having said that, we cleared a Week 13 hurdle and now can sit back and watch the other games. We also have 3 extra days to heal. Last night was a win in many ways.
hatesaints
November 30th, 2012
8:24 am
Break out your sacks for your heads Saints fans.
Stevereeno
November 30th, 2012
8:29 am
We can’t kick our way to the superbowl.
robert
November 30th, 2012
8:31 am
I thought that it was interesting that when Sproles got his mouthpiece knocked ten yards behind him down on the goal line he wasnt quite the same player the rest of the game. Didnt seem to have quite the same intensity level.
Bart's Boy
November 30th, 2012
8:32 am
I think all fans are hugely happy, maybe estatic, with this win. The critcisms are from fans looking
ahead to the play-offs and seeing certain built in flaws that could prove fatal come January. Granted, no team is perfect, but some things on this team are pretty much unfixable before January. Stubborn, conservative, old school Head Coach who plays not to lose instead of to win. Over matched, but hard trying offensive line. Talented, but immobile quarterback. Aging, overweight tail back with no burst to the hole. No punt returner at all. Maybe the will to win will somehow over come all of these weaknesses. Odds are probably against it. Every game cannot continue to come down to the last possesion. Pretty soon, your luck is going to run out. You wake up one day and you’ve put two defensive points on the board in a play-off game. Another season ended. Or you’re routed in your own building by three touchdows in a play-off game. Another season ended. Anyone else see a pattern here? I think there’s a reason for the lack of play-off sucess under the Smith/Dimitroff regime.
Joey
November 30th, 2012
8:43 am
This offensive philosophy, originally called Marty-ball is low-risk, low-reward, wins games vs equal or worse teams during the regular season. It’s especially maddening to watch, when a coach decides to sit on a small lead, with all of these weapons available.
Even Tom Coughlin abandoned the old, run-first offense and let Eli throw the ball all over the place.
The change won him 2 Super Bowls.
Mora less Petrino
November 30th, 2012
8:44 am
“This has become one of the NFL’s nastiest rivalries. Animosity has spilled over to the fan bases. ”
This has been the case since the 70’s.
Scott Shanle
November 30th, 2012
8:50 am
This is not my fault, they egged us on. Dang, I’m so embarrassed! Our little brothers just whuped our arse!
robert
November 30th, 2012
8:59 am
Got to run it some. Cant become a pass only offense. The D coordinators in this league are good enough they can take that away from you. The great defenses will for sure.
SawThat1nce
November 30th, 2012
9:06 am
Saints own the Div., they know it, and the Falcons know it.
Did I hear somebody say that before the game last night?
Dawglasville
November 30th, 2012
9:06 am
I’m in my office listening to people cry about how poorly we played last night. We are missing our 2 starting cornerbacks and we held Brees to 13 points. We are 11-1. Quit waiting for the other shoe to drop and enjoy it.
DP
November 30th, 2012
9:07 am
“Credit the offense for at least not turning the ball over”
Jeff, you must have written this line during the game because Michael Turner got stripped of the ball just before the 2 minute warning.
Bart's Boy
November 30th, 2012
9:07 am
@ Joey
Agreed! Coughlin, who used to be be as “old school” as they come, did indeed change! So, It’s been proven it’s possible. But Smitty? I’m not sure there’s any blood to get out of that particular turnip. Since, maybe under pressure from the top, you’ve got two new coordinators, one of which may not be around for long, Trust them. Use them. You’ve got to make hay while the sun shines, do you not? Roll the frigging dice for once in your life. Let it all hang out! Lead or get the bee Jesus out of the way. It may not be your nature, and it may go against your grain, but you actually may find out it’s a lot of fun. You’ll be called a genius. I’m begging you. There’s no time like the present. Just, do it!
SawThat1nce
November 30th, 2012
9:08 am
Classic case of “little brother” getting up, and high-fiving “big brother” straight across the mouth.
ha ha
SawThat1nce
November 30th, 2012
9:17 am
The Falcons defeated the Saints and beat the NFL Zebras, also.
Looked like the officials were doing everything they could, to give New Orleans another game.
ATLien
November 30th, 2012
9:19 am
The saints were 5-6 coming into this game and the falcons were 10-1. This is a game they SHOULD have won easily. I’m not excited about this win. They notched another W against the worst defense in the HISTORY of the league. Keep piling up the Ws and stay focused. The real test is against the Giants on December 16. Falcons are playing for home field while the giants will be trying to secure their playoff positioning as well. Thats my barometer on how real this falcons team is. This team HAS TO WIN SOME PLAYOFF GAMES.
Striped Shirt
November 30th, 2012
9:21 am
Since Smith, Dimitroff and Ryan arrived, the Atlanta Falcons have the best regular season record in the NFC, having won 54 and lost just 22. During that period, the Falcons are the only NFC team with more than 50 regular season victories Additionally, Atlanta is the only NFC team to have all winning seasons over that time span.
Prior to Smith, Dimitroff and Ryan, the Falcons usually were not worth the price of admission. Now they are the envy of the league. So for those who constantly find fault with Smith, how many wins do you have?
P B Orr
November 30th, 2012
9:21 am
Anybody seen Choke? Did he drown himself in a vat of Varsity grease?
phil
November 30th, 2012
9:24 am
Until Smith is fired, we’ll never be consistent winners….
phil
November 30th, 2012
9:25 am
Choke….
LOL
Of course Choke’s point is that Ryan can’t get us over the hump in a playoff game. He will be right once again if we keep playing like this on the offensive side of the ball.
phil
November 30th, 2012
9:27 am
Striped Shirt
November 30th, 2012
9:21 am
Since Smith, Dimitroff and Ryan arrived, the Atlanta Falcons have the best regular season record in the NFC, having won 54 and lost just 22. During that period, the Falcons are the only NFC team with more than 50 regular season victories Additionally, Atlanta is the only NFC team to have all winning seasons over that time span.
Prior to Smith, Dimitroff and Ryan, the Falcons usually were not worth the price of admission. Now they are the envy of the league. So for those who constantly find fault with Smith, how many wins do you have?
**************
What’s our playoff record under these guys?
Not too good, right?
Bills fan
November 30th, 2012
9:31 am
Thanks, Jeff, for another great piece. This is getting to be a lot of fun watching this team.
It would be even more interesting seeing our fan base capture the passion other cities like Green Bay or Buffalo have…bring that 12th man win or lose. It makes a huge difference. We are getting there, but egg throwing is a good sign if not very classy.
SG
November 30th, 2012
9:31 am
Just call it the “Now Ya See ‘Em. No You Don’t” Offense. Kudos on the win.
Buckeye
November 30th, 2012
9:32 am
tom brown,
Note Schultz’s spelling of “diddly”.
Bart's Boy
November 30th, 2012
9:36 am
@Striped Shirt
How many play-off wins do I have? None. Just like our Head Coach!
Paul Harvey
November 30th, 2012
9:37 am
Should I have been someone watching this game without any prior knowledge of either team, it would have been extremely difficult to determine who the 5-6 team was. Eliminate a flash of brilliance by the Birds to start the game and there was total domination by the Saints. Roddy said of the last game, they didn’t win it-we lost it. All I can say is thank you Drew. ‘Ol buddy, you definately lost it! To quote a Saints fan in The N.O. newspaper this morning: “Who dat threw dat? Drew dat blew dat!”
P B Orr
November 30th, 2012
9:41 am
Consider this friends – the Saints have a good defense – but they have no coach. The 78 Steelers would look bad without a coach. Teams need motivation. When the Saints play the Falcons, the motivation is automatic. They played an excellent defensive game. So what if they suck the rest of the year? A game is a game. Those 78 Steelers needed a late score by blown-up Vietnam vet Rocky Bleier to defeat the mediocre Saints 20-14. But back then, there was no unicorn football industry and no army of hipster sports bloggers to throw around the concept that a team is not “proven”, whatever the hell that means, until it wins a playoff game.
Football is a game, meaning it is supposed to generate amusement in the participants and onlookers. I find myself mightily amused by my 11-1 team. I could not care less how they win. Any team that gets to 11-1 against any league is worthy of the highest respect. Stop bitching and enjoy the games!
P Rose
November 30th, 2012
9:45 am
Schultz wrote an enlightening article a couple weeks ago that was reassuring: the Falcons aren’t a perfect team, but who in the NFL is this year? Every team has its flaws — the Packers, Bears, Giants, 49ers, and Patriots are all flawed.
The 49ers look better now with their new QB, but he is very young; and remember, they were blown out by the Giants, who were blown out by — the Bengals. The Bears defense is great, but Jay Cutler is having a terrible year. Aaron Rodgers is great, but the Packers have nobody who can block for him.
The Falcons’ chances are as good as anybody’s this year. A first-round playoff bye, and home-field throughout, would give them a huge advantage.
DawgNole
November 30th, 2012
9:52 am
Huge win over a bitter rival that has dominated us lately. Better yet, it was on the national stage and in prime time–elements that have intimidated this franchise in years past. Defense came through against one of the best QBs in the game. And all this in a schedule-shortened week.
Don’t let up now, Falcons. Carry this momentum through to where it really counts–the postseason.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
November 30th, 2012
9:58 am
On NFL.com’s website before the season, 6 of their 8 panelists predicted the Eagles would win the NFC East. HA HA!
Two of them even predicted the Eagles would win the Super Bowl. HA HA!
None of them predicted that MV7 would be washed up for good by now.
HA HA
DawgNole
November 30th, 2012
9:58 am
Buckeye
November 30th, 2012
9:32 am
tom brown,
Note Schultz’s spelling of “diddly”.
_____________________
He won’t “note” anything that shows how ignorant he is. Too arrogant and full of himself. In fact, to spite you, he’ll continue to post it incorrectly–just like he continues to insist that UGA has 6 legitimate football NCs, and that fla beat FSU 37-20, and that fla will have “four or five losses in 2012,” blah blah blah. A fraud, a liar, a distorter, etc.
Striped Shirt
November 30th, 2012
10:03 am
phil — agreed, the playoff record is miserable. But there is some consolation in watching a team win year after year in the regular season. While that does not remove the bitterness of playoff losses, a so-so regular season (2011 Giants 9-7, 2010 Packers 10-6 and 2008 Cardinals 9-7) followed by playoff success and a Super Bowl win also has some low points.
GTT
November 30th, 2012
10:13 am
I take full responsibility for Turner’s, um, turnaround by pointing out the was going down as easily as an Orc in Lord of the Rings. Fired him up. You’re welcome.
Mark
November 30th, 2012
10:15 am
Intellectual Ninja
November 30th, 2012
12:08 am
There is nothing worse, nothing more cowardly than play-not-to-lose football.
Mike Smith is the King of Prevent Offense.
No team with this kind of offensive talent plays so stupidly.
Someone please explain me why the Falcons deploy so many 2 TE sets? STILL???
IT’S LIKE PLAYING ONLY 10 MEN ON OFFENSE!!!
With 3 and half minutes left and a 10-point lead, Super Bowl-winning coaches like Bill Belichick, Mike McCarthy, and others with rings want to score again to put the other team away.
Play-not-to-lose coaches like Mike Smith or Marty Schottenheimer go into Ultra Prevent Offense and try to salt the clock away.
Invariably, ALWAYS giving the other team the ball back with another chance to score. As in Turner’s fumble.
I hate play-not-to-lose football. I hate Mike Smith CONTINUALLY interfering with the Falcons’ offense.
Where’s the NO-HUDDLE? Where’s the 3-4 WR sets? Where’s the explosiveness?
Hey Mike… LEAVE DIRK KOETTER ALONE!!!
————————————————————————————————————————————–
Intellectual Ninja you are absolutely right. The reason the falcons don’t win or dominate is because Mike Smith is SCARY COACH! That is why we haven’t won a PLAYOFF GAME.
DP
November 30th, 2012
10:21 am
“Until Smith is fired, we’ll never be consistent winners….”
Hey “phil”, aka “Choke” who is too gutless to use his old handle given the Vick/Eagles disaster, let me correct that sentence for you:
“Until Smith was hired, the Falcons had never been consistent winners”
Note that I corrected the “we” reference, since you hate the Falcons. Enjoy your Sunday night watching those Eagles get trounced against on national TV. Too bad Vick won’t be in there to turn it over another 3 or 4 times.
DC Dirty Bird
November 30th, 2012
10:29 am
Don’t you have to make the playoffs in order to lose in the playoffs. Think about it….
king conz
November 30th, 2012
10:33 am
To the gentlemen criticizing Mike Smith: They flashed a stat on the TV a few games ago he is something like 20-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. It’s working. Leave it alone.
gary32
November 30th, 2012
10:36 am
Some of you guys are amazing…The Falcons are ranked number 4 overall in total offense…our qb is ranked number 2 in passing yards…and number 7 in overall qb rating…so I am not sure I understand about this plodding offense you talk about…yeah we have had a few bad games on offense most teams do have a few bad games….and somehow you all know that we are going to lose in the first round of the playoffs….don’t think so..why?….his name is Nolan
king conz
November 30th, 2012
10:38 am
Wow, I thought “PHIL” was joking when he said fire Smith…..was he serious? If so he clearly either A. Has an axe to grind or B. Has no clue about the NFL.
Falcons = 1 and done
November 30th, 2012
10:40 am
don’t think you guys match up well with the Bears, Packers, Giants or the 6th seed.
phil
November 30th, 2012
10:42 am
DP
November 30th, 2012
10:21 am
“Until Smith is fired, we’ll never be consistent winners….”
Hey “phil”, aka “Choke” who is too gutless to use his old handle given the Vick/Eagles disaster, let me correct that sentence for you:
“Until Smith was hired, the Falcons had never been consistent winners”
Note that I corrected the “we” reference, since you hate the Falcons. Enjoy your Sunday night watching those Eagles get trounced against on national TV. Too bad Vick won’t be in there to turn it over another 3 or 4 times.
************
Not too bright, are you….
I’m obviously kidding to anyone with half a brain.
phil
November 30th, 2012
10:44 am
king conz
November 30th, 2012
10:38 am
Wow, I thought “PHIL” was joking when he said fire Smith…..was he serious? If so he clearly either A. Has an axe to grind or B. Has no clue about the NFL.
********
I WAS kidding….good grief.
Falcons = 1 and done
November 30th, 2012
10:51 am
congrats on 11-1 but some thoughts
you only beat 2 teams with a winning record denver and tampa
combined record of opp. 47-75 (38%)
Buckeye
November 30th, 2012
10:52 am
dawgnole,
Drove through Tallahassee for the first time over Thanksgiving. NIce town. The view from the main drag down to FSU was impressive.
DP
November 30th, 2012
10:53 am
“phil” = “Choke”
Dumbo
November 30th, 2012
10:56 am
Where’s the Who Dat Ho’s
Eric C.
November 30th, 2012
10:59 am
Nope, as much as I want to be, I’m not satisfied with this win — it is the same “get a lead then shut down” pattern that has plagued the Falcons in the playoffs during this era.
The Falcons are still pro football’s version of “Sybil” on offense. I really think the defense is good enough to win in the playoffs…but the offensive shut-downs we see now loom like foreboding storm clouds on the playoff horizon.
air of mendacity
November 30th, 2012
11:00 am
home field throughout playoffs will be huge – that coupled with first round bye should get us to the NFC championship – if we can throw the monkey off our backs
Dazzy G
November 30th, 2012
11:00 am
Ah…..Troll free week. Make that the rest of the year.
LOL at The Aints
November 30th, 2012
11:02 am
The Trolls are still here, they’re just using different names.
Falcons4Eva
November 30th, 2012
11:04 am
Falcon Fans (and Haters)…Here is a excellent article written about the Matt Ryan and the Falcons.
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8693526/the-falcons-inability-win-playoffs-significant-think
Excellent must read.
Michael
November 30th, 2012
11:10 am
I feel bad for Tony Gonzales. Such a great player and will never get a ring.
BrickBrees
November 30th, 2012
11:22 am
“What’s that? Ah — Playoffs? Don’t talk about — playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game! Another game.”
PreyDawg
November 30th, 2012
11:25 am
“Win Tonight. Look good in the next fight!’ That is a perfect quote for this team. The team should adopt this and post it in the locker room and in the dome. Wll done Jeff!
DP
November 30th, 2012
11:50 am
Last night’s game illustrated the need for another NFL rule change. The practice of having multiple defenders stand up a ballcarrier while they tear at the ball and the officials swallow their whistles should be stopped. In the event of a fumble, forward progress should be reviewable on replay whether any officials blew their whistles or not. There are several instances in which a play turns out to be over before an official blows a whistle, including when a runner is given forward progress after being pushed back and when a runner is judged to have been down by contact on review.
Last night the officials were able to use replay to determine that the Saints defender who recovered Turner’s fumble was down by contact, even though no whistle blew, but they weren’t allowed to rule that Turner’s forward progress was stopped before the ball was ripped loose. That makes no sense to me and it cheapens the game to have a ballcarrier trying to get on the ground while defenders hold him up and tear at the ball.
air of mendacity
November 30th, 2012
11:52 am
4eva – thanks for sharing article – makes great points and I agree with him. I tell you, the stars are aligned for the Birds this year. Need some breaks and to play well in the trenches and we could easily make super bowl. Parity has arrived in NFL
BrickBrees
November 30th, 2012
12:14 pm
“The airport determined one employee is responsible for throwing five or six, with half of them hitting the bus. The general manager said the behavior is unacceptable.”
Big news for 3 eggs.
After further review
November 30th, 2012
1:04 pm
DP – The problem with your proposed rule change on fumbles is that people would then start complaining about a quick whistle while a running back is fighting for more yardage. How are the officials supposed to determine whether the runner is being held up by defenders or simply trying to drag defenders with him for more yardage?
Boo Boo
November 30th, 2012
1:06 pm
Let the annual Egg Night (or Egg Day) begin! A free raw egg to the first 20,000 fans with a lower level seat. A tradition to become better than tailgating or nickle beer night.
JSS
November 30th, 2012
1:10 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
After the debacle with the Packers, I see 3 of the greatest sleazes in AJC blogging history wandered back to your opines with the same tired offensive philosophies diatribes?
Man, I don’t envy you between now and when the double doses of reality come forth… Enjoy!
Iluvnutella
November 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
There is a reason that they only play once a week. Falcons will be fine. You could tell they were tired. 2 wins inside of 4 days, I got no complaints.
PaulWinchester
November 30th, 2012
1:57 pm
The Falcons offense hits wall but it doesnt matter, is a good way to describe what happened last night. The only reason why I am upset about the 11-1 Falcons is that they should have been 12-0 and should have beaten the Saints the last time they faced them. The Falcons have enough weapons to beat the Saints. Its more a MENTAL BLOCK for the Falcons than anything else. Somehow the media, and the Falcons think the Saints are unstoppable and can score at will. Well the Falcons proved what happens when a team plays good defense it STOPS the opponent from scoring. The Falcons almost didnt win the game because although the held the Saints down to ONLY 13 POINTS, the Falcons had trouble scoring themselves and wouldnt have won the game had it not been for Brees’ 5 picks. That is the only reason why the Saints lost–that and the Falcons inability to move the football. There was one stretch in the game after the Falcons had gone up 17-0, where the Saints outgained the Falcons in yardage 289-30. It was also pointed out through that dominance that the Saints got 18 straight first downs, while the Falcons got consecutive 3-and-outs and were 0-10 on third down conversions. The falcons played a woefully aweful game, but the saints were worse so the Falcons squeaked out their 10-point victory over the saints. Last week the 49ers also beat the Saints by 10 points 31-21, but the media were calling the 49ers when they beat the saints by 10, saying they dominated them, but as I watched last nights game, it looked to me like the Falcons were LUCKY to win the game. I hope the Falcons learn how to find Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzales and Harry Douglas with regularity, becuase if they cant and are unable to get first downs and move the chains getting into the scoring zones (red zone), then the Falcons will waste their nearly perfect season, thus far with only one loss preventing them from perfection. Go Falcons.
crybaby
November 30th, 2012
2:32 pm
We don’t see enough of mike cox or that receiver..Drew..why is he not playing in front of Douglas?
All he does is catch the ball!! M.S. on kicking that field goal from 52 yards & taking a chance on the short field for N.O.?? UN_BELIEVEABLE!
Some how these birds figured out a way to win..Once again the the birds W a close game..How long can the “magic” last??
drew
November 30th, 2012
3:30 pm
i would just like to thank the airport workers who took part in the egg tossing. way to set the tone! i love it! its about time Atlanta sports fans started showing some passion for the falcons, and braves for that matter (infield fly rule). we may be classless but at least we don’t put a contract hit out on fellow union members. HA! Go Falcons!
BBB
November 30th, 2012
6:04 pm
Opponents can key in on this. Anytime the Falcons get ahead by 10 or 14, on the next possession, every play will be a run or pass within 10 yards. Falcons will never take a deep shot to try to go up by 21 because Mike Smith is so OCD about running the clock. Go for the jugular once, just try it, Mike! Turn the dogs loose and trust the defense to keep up.
Eric C.
December 1st, 2012
2:11 am
Great comments everyone, good night.
Mikey
December 1st, 2012
8:49 am
Its nice to see we have so many great football strategists here. I’ll bet Mike Smith and TD can’t wait to read these comments so they know what to do for the next week. I thank God that I’m not in their position in this thankless town. They have been doing so much better than any other Falcons team in history and THIS is what they get? They have the best WINNING record in the NFL 12 weeks into the season and THIS is what they ge from their own “FANS”? Please wake up Falcons fans (if there really ARE any) and give this team a little encouragement and appreciation.
It is not easy to be that good and it is evident that they are getting better every week. It takes a LOT of intelligence, hard work and dedication to be that good. It only takes a few seconds to move your fingers over the keyboard to produce in idiotic slam. I’ll take the hard work and dedication every time. For those of you who are so football knowledgeable, I suggest you interview with the Saints… they are probably looking for help after playing our Falcons! You will find that your negativity produces teams like the Bobby Petrino Falcons. We could use a little more of that on the Saints rather than getting Payton back next year.
Billy Bob
December 1st, 2012
11:33 am
phil You can’t get to playoff games until you have winning seasons. Smith does that! Go take your meds.
LOL at The Aints
December 3rd, 2012
11:29 pm
Thinking of Banning myself,, LOL
LOL at The Aints
December 3rd, 2012
11:31 pm
Oh and Billy Bob,, dont talk to Phil, He’s a woman,, kinda creepy LOL
ed
December 4th, 2012
9:19 pm
I agree Mike Smith plays prevent offense when he’s ahead and it does frustrate me at times, but I also know if he doesn’t beat himself we have the best crunch time coacj=h and QB in the league. Yes, the birds could have put some of these games away, but he plays close to the vest with the lead and it’s worked every time but one so far.
ed
December 4th, 2012
9:27 pm
To Phil, Fire Mike Smith to be a consistant winner??? Do you know the history of this franchise before Smith made us a consistant winner?? I see a lot of ignorance on this board, but that may have broken the record!!
I don’t enjoy watching them lose in the first round and I believe that is over, but even if it’s not it beats the hell out of the season being over in early October 2 out of 3 years like it has always been.