Falcons give performance to leave us wondering again
DeAngelo Williams' 53-yard touchdown off a screen pass buried the Falcons late. (AP photo)
CHARLOTTE – It started with the Carolina Panthers winning the coin flip for the first time this season. It ended with the Falcons being trash-talked off the field by a last-place team. Somewhere in between, we witnessed Atlanta’s worst four quarters of football of the season.
And the Falcons’ deserved it all – the loss, the mocking, the questions about what this means moving forward.
“I can hear everybody right now,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “They’re getting off the bandwagon. I can hear them jumping off. Looking at our history, people are going to go, ‘See, I told you.’”
OK. It’s a little premature for I-told-you-sos. The Falcons haven’t lost a playoff game yet. But it has to be concerning when an 11-1 team falls behind 23-0 to a 3-9 team, and at one point finds itself being outgained 356-66. It’s concerning any time a defensive front is so thoroughly shredded the way the Falcons’ front was Sunday, and the offense can’t run the ball (again), and all hopes of opening the regular season’s final month with an impressive win are emphatically squashed.
Cam Newton account for 403 yards and three touchdowns passing and rushing. (AP photo)
The Falcons lost 30-20 to Carolina. They managed to make Cam Newton feel like he was back at Auburn again.
If Newton could combine for 403 yards and three touchdowns with his arm and legs in victories every week, media members wouldn’t be hiding behind potted palms and waiting for anonymous quotes that rip him for being petty, immature and ego-maniacal (just paraphrasing the attack pieces).
The fact the Falcons lost a game in itself isn’t devastating. They’re 11-2. They’ve already clinched the NFC South Division and remain in a strong position to clinch home field through the NFC playoffs.
But Gonzalez is correct: This was like feeding steroids to a doubting public.
Next week’s game against the New York Giants will tell us something. The Falcons find themselves having to rebound, physically and emotionally, against the team that drop-kicked them out of the playoffs last year.
“We all knew we were flat,” linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “It seemed like every time there was a play to be made, we were almost there. You can’t be almost in this league.
“We get a chance to go after some guys who controlled our destiny last year.”
Yes. Best to turn the page as quickly as possible. Embrace the possibility of amnesia.
The Falcons made the Panthers look like a playoff team. Carolina scored on its first five possessions (two touchdowns, three field goals), and only one of those ended in a big play (Newton’s 72-yard touchdown run, finished off with a flip). Mostly, the Panthers punched the Falcons in the mouth.
It figured they would milk this a little, and they did. When the Falcons rallied for a 30-28 win back in September in the Georgia Dome – Matt Bryant’s game-winning field goal coming with five seconds remaining – quarterback Matt Ryan was caught on camera screaming toward Carolina’s bench to, “Get the [bleep] off our field!”
So when this one ended, several Carolina players were overheard trash-talking on the field, led by defensive end Greg Hardy, who witnesses say mimicked Ryan’s comment, “Get the [bleep] off our field.” Bryant’s reported response: “Watch us in January.” Introducing, the trash-talking kicker.
Hardy is the same obscurity who earlier said the Panthers were a “better” team than the Falcons, adding: “I’m trying to mess up their whole playoff experience. I want them to go home sick in the stomach, mad about life, a couple depression issues …” (He didn’t make himself available for the media Sunday.)
Down 23-0, the Falcons showed a pulse. Ryan’s four-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones closed it to 23-13. But a seemingly successful two-point conversion pass to Roddy White was ruled incomplete (questionably), deflating the comeback. DeAngelo Williams’ touchdown on a 53-yard screen pass slammed the door shut.
When asked if he considered this loss a bump in the road, Gonzalez responded: “It better be, if we’re the team we think we are.”
Instead, they’ve left everybody wondering again.
By Jeff Schultz
The last dozen from the digital juke box
– Short takes: Cam Newton and Panthers’ line dominate
– LIVE: Falcons have chance to clinch playoff bye
– Even at 11-1, Falcons know they can’t afford to settle
– ‘Sack Schultz’ Bowl Blowout contest (from Potato to BCS)
– Hawks are surviving nicely without Joe Johnson (gee, go figure)
– OK, Falcons’ critics: Find something wrong with John Abraham
– Brian Gregory may have Tech on way to something good
– Trying to win is only half the problem at Georgia State
– Georgia earns respect in defeat, but loss will be hard to take
– Braves dump a pitcher (Hanson) they once viewed as gold
– Falcons’ offense hits a wall, but as usual it doesn’t matter
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722 comments Add your comment
BillA
December 10th, 2012
10:02 am
I’m a die-hard Giants fan but I don’t expect an easy game at all next week. Falcons fans are some of the worst I have ever seen, how can you expect a team to feed off of a fan base they cannot count on week in and out.
TroutFalcon
December 10th, 2012
10:05 am
Never seen so many fair weather band wagon fans in my life, the Falcons lost to an inferior opponent in the Panthers yesterday but the sky isn’t falling. I trust Mike Smith and the Falcons to get these problems fixed before we get to they playoffs, they have the win/loss record to get the benefit of the doubt.
Answer This
December 10th, 2012
10:06 am
This will be a HUGE TEST and a TOUGH GAME on Sunday. Can we do it? Yes. Will we coach and play like this is our playoff game? Yes I do believe we will. This game on Sunday will be a test of men. We have to step up and get ready for the playoffs. We have had to learn that playing not to lose is not a good thing. We have alot of things to fix and the first step will be on Sunday. Quizz has to be the man on Sunday, no if, ands or buts. Take the lead and let MT33 bash in the 4th quarter but dont let off the pedal. The NY Football Giants crushed the Aints because they knew to get the Aints down and to keep hitting them while they were down. They were not afraid to step on them when they were down. Carolina did the same to us. They had us down and they wanted to step on us to prove a point. If we win by one we will still have our share of naysayers, but win! Not to many believe in you after this whipping Birds; and rightfully so. The deal is for everyone to be held accountable and to play with a passion that dictates that you are a force and will be a force to handle in the playoffs. Just beating the Giants wont do it either, you have to follow-up with Detroit and then Tampa, so the test will come for the next three weeks. Tampa is going to want to do the same thing that Carolina did and they have points to prove also. Detroit, well they wont take a back seat! The season starts now! Yes we are 11-2 and we are in the playoffs, but we have to get it in gear and become the juggernaut we want others to view us as! Matt, time to come out of the slump, yes you threw for 300+ yesterday but I need more. Gosh I am greedy! I need you to do what Rogers did last night! Break one off for 20+ yards when the pocket folds! If he is not open on the second check your third check is to tuck it and get the 3 or 4 yards! To my coaching staff, no more first down runs to open the game, show others we are serious and set the tempo and dont back off of it. One of the greatest plays I have seen the Offense run ALL year was that screen to Julio when he scored. We need more. We need more! We are the Falcons and we will RISE! DK where is my play action? I know you have to have a running game to have some of that but let Quizz establish the running game. DID I SEE an ANTOINE SMITH sighting yesterday? RISE UP starts today at the facility as the players go in to get the bumps and bruises taken care of. Get the look of an ANGRY BIRD back in your game! We missed you yesterday Asante and Willie MO! We need you back! We will RISE UP and get our respect! We dont have to have Rodney Harrison appreciate our team or think we are good but we do have to have our players play with an attitude and our coaches to coach with one. Ok Nation………….lets get behind them and RISE UP!
joet
December 10th, 2012
10:09 am
I BET IF THE FOULCOONS WERE 2-11 THIS DOME THING WOULDN’T BE MAKING HEADLINES. SAME OL’ FALCONS.
real fan
December 10th, 2012
10:10 am
Saw this one coming. All division games are tough. Not really concerned though. In fact I bought my playoff tickets yesterday. Most of the hacks on this comment page dont go to the games anyway. Looking forward to next weeks game against the giants. Hope everyone is healthy. Looking forward to seeing that 2012 division champs banner. Go falcons
North FLA Falcon
December 10th, 2012
10:11 am
The playoffs start Sunday! Prove to everyone how important it is to play in the Dome! We need fans to come out! Go to late church or skip that day folks! We need some loud fans! Do you want to play in conditions like they had in Lambeau last night, or would you rather sleep in your own beds and play in the Dome? SHOCK THE WORLD ON SUNDAY vs THE GIANTS
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
10:13 am
Never have I ever seen a franchise spend so many draft picks, money on free agents just to make one qb look good. They spent a ton of money on Turner from San Diego. They gave up a 2nd pick for Gonzalez from Kansas City. They threw away the whole draft for Julio. They even hired a 2nd offensive coordinator, hired a new defensive coordinator.
You can slap lipstick on a pig and it’s still a pick. You can’t teach guts, and clutch genes can’t be bought.
Dimitroff is responsible for this blunder in giving a guy 72 million when he played 5 years of college ball and the best he could do in his 5th season was throw 22 picks vs mediocre ACC competition. What was Dimitroff thinking? A fairy would magically grant him pro football talent?
His regular season numbers look good on paper, but when Art Blank attends the annual owners meetings, I bet he is not too happy sitting there while the other owners chat about winning playoff games and superbowls. Those other owners could care less about back to back playoff appearances where it always ends the same way – 1 and done.
This dude is a starter with backup potential. Hell Joey Harrington could put up those overrated regular season numbers, but Joey Harrington was never given 72 million, and never had anything near the talent around CHOKE.
This dude is the BUST that I predicted and you LOSERS deserve one another. Just look around the league at this year’s crop of rookies. RG3, Luck, Wilson and they all have three things in common: Arm strength, mobility and clutch genes, none of which does CHOKE have and never will no anything more than stuff the stat box, but not the stat box in January.
At a time when you LOSERS are making excuses for who is causing the Falcants to consistently be the laugh of the NFL, up in Baltimore they are putting pressure on their franchise qb, even though he has 5 playoff wins, and 2 championship game appearances on his resume. That is why Baltimore has a Lombardi and Atlanta does not.
So enjoy your LOSER, LOSERS
MG3
December 10th, 2012
10:14 am
The sky is not falling people, we have key players on the bench getting healthy and all that matters is that first playoff game at home. Carolina, and Cam especially, had a good day but this game was not important for the Falcons and they played like it. Expect to see them amped up next Sunday vs. the Giants and a win there will have us primed for the post season.
Ryder
December 10th, 2012
10:21 am
Relax, this means nothing in the long run. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants came in the Dome and beat the Falcons 28-13, only for Atlanta to win their last two and right the ship before the playoffs start.
Shut Up
December 10th, 2012
10:24 am
Where you been Choke? You are pathetic dude and Oh where is your hero Vick,benched for a rookie QB
james
December 10th, 2012
10:26 am
I can tell that most of you are reject Bulldog fans don’t freak out Carolina was up Atlanta was not,Atlanta will rise up unlike those Dawgs.
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
10:29 am
Re: The “horrible” Julio trade. I’ve got a worse one for you. The 2001 Draft. Falcons traded up for ConVickt. Chargers in that draft got Tomlinson and Brees. We got a dogkiller and coach killer all in one.
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
10:30 am
You can see Vick on the side of a milk carton.
warfalcon
December 10th, 2012
10:37 am
The players were looking a head to the next game with New York,Again ONE GAME AT A TIME,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
james
December 10th, 2012
10:38 am
The Falcons will rebound against the G-men wait and see.
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
10:43 am
Love how the troll keeps using Flacco as a reference, when his playoff stats are AWFUL and he has ridden the coattails of the defense to playoff wins. Flacco hasn’t won playoff games; his defense has.
Flacco’s career playoff stats: 9 games, 54% completion, 8 TD, 8 INT, 1532 yds (170 per game) and a rating of 70. Flacco has as much to do with the Ravens playoff success as Trent Dilfer did……except Dilfer had a much higher rating and his TD/INT was 4/1.
BK
December 10th, 2012
10:46 am
WHAT THE HELL, WE DID NOT COME TO PLAY. THE PLAY CALLING WAS VERY BAD, SEEM LIKE NO ONE REALLY CARED IF THEY WON THIS GAME OR NOT…I BLAME COACH FIRST ..FOR NOT HAVING YOUR PLAYERS READY AFTER A WEEK AND HALF OFF..THE FIRST HALF WAS A JOKE …SECOND HALF WAS A LITTLE BETTER BUT TO LATE..GET IT TOGETHER BIG GAME GAINTS COMMING TO TOWN …LETS GO BIRDS
smlarsen
December 10th, 2012
10:47 am
I agree with a couple of the last posts. Everyone of you doubting after our second loss this season need to seriously think about themseleves. WE ARE 11-2. The sportscasters can talk all the s*** they want about us not being an 11-2 team, but guess what? WE ARE 11-2. We are going to come out and play the giants and it would not be a SHOCK for us to win. Just another game we have to get by to lock up home field for the playoffs. We have the tools and coaching to do this, its just a matter of putting the two together in the right way at the right time.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 10th, 2012
10:50 am
Atlanta just took the day off no doubt. Half azz effort at best.
200lb Elephant
December 10th, 2012
10:53 am
Ok while everyone is jumping on the falcons case about loosing this game, there is a 200lb Elephant in the room and no one is paying attention to it…Micheal Turner…the offense runs so much smoother when he is standing beside Mike Smith….We are trying so hard to be something we are not..and that is a running team first…we are not that anymore…we pass to set up run..so lets get back to doing that and forget about the media and bloggers..they know nothing about the dynamics of this team… We run first and get 1 or -2 yards..now we are 2nd and 3rd and long..we did that the complete first half…not until the second half when we came out throwing and using Rodgers were we effective…Turner has lost it..use him like we use Snelling….which means..rarely…
Gatorzone
December 10th, 2012
10:55 am
As a 40 year fan, this to me does not feel like a 1 game fluke.. this feels like their pattern.. Playoff, and championship teams (like the 98 Falcons) roll during December) Look at the Giants the last few years… Atlanta seems to go in the wrong direction this month… We squeak by opponents we should dominate all year and we always find an excuse for why the game was so close when in reality, the birds are not a championship caliber team… that is just a fact. Sad to say, but due to our luck and fluke of a schedule we have a great record only to go 1 and done again for ANOTHER playoff embarrassment! YAY!
Answer This
December 10th, 2012
10:57 am
@200lbElephant
Well put!
Dave
December 10th, 2012
10:57 am
And my boy, “Chokie” returns from the grave! Lawsy, it tis a miracle!
Thomas Brown
December 10th, 2012
10:59 am
Georgia Southern Defense is :
______________________________________________
# 41 in 1-AA ball FCS # 41 Total Defense Ga Southern U
______________________________________________
# 35 in 1-AA ball FCS # 35 Scoring Defense GSU
UGA is # 17 Scoring Defense in The SEC.
UGA is # 27 Total Defense in The SEC.
So, we are treated to this by you :
____________________________________________________
Answer This December 9th, 2012 10:20 pm
“Thomas dont talk about a teams defense until you look at yours.”
____________________________________________________
Georgia Southern University gave up 354 yards in the air alone to UGA this year.
GSU’s Defense was PASTED with 474 yards of total offense by UGA.
5 Passing TD’s your DEFENSE of GSU gave up to us.
____________________________________________________
Answer This December 9th, 2012 10:20 pm
“Thomas dont talk about a teams defense until you look at yours.”
____________________________________________________
YOUR DEFENSE gave up 45 points to us, and you run in here to pick on UGA about our Defense, telling everyone not to talk to YOU about DEFENSE until we LOOK AT OUR OWN DEFENSE ?
My God, son.
Gatorzone
December 10th, 2012
11:00 am
Ryan gets happy feet too early when the going gets tough… look at the 2 yard pass to Gonzo on a 3rd and 8 yesterday when we really needed it and he had plenty of time!
Turner is a waste of a roster slot!
The Defense has ZERO fire! WTF was up with Newton having All day to throw and all of the missed tackles!
You watch the G-men! Even in victory, they have players getting on each other for missing blocks!!! they expect PERFECTION on every play! Who on the Falcons expects that???
Big D
December 10th, 2012
11:01 am
Why would a team trailing by three scores in the third and fourth quarters, with no running game at all, having just got its passing game going, give the ball to 3.7 per carry Turner? Was it a trick play? Did Smith try to inject some levity into the game? I believe I am correct in saying everytime we opened a drive with a Burner Turner dive or worse, sweep, we were three and out. I believe there is a message there. Turner “was” a great back and someday should have his name in the stadium, but those days are long gone.
Dave
December 10th, 2012
11:01 am
But he does seem to have some issues, so maybe this is part of his therapy.
Cheese Gritz Blitz
December 10th, 2012
11:01 am
Love the Falcons but I give them no shot against Packers, Giants or 49ers in the playoffs. Both losses have not been to better teams but teams that wanted the W more than we did. Same thing will happen in the playoffs.
Rick Rogers
December 10th, 2012
11:03 am
It getting a little sad seeing all of the complains about the 2 point conversion. If any of you have DVRs go back and watch it again. He catches the ball at shoulder level and gets one foot down then the 2nd but before the 2nd hits the ball moves from his hands to his waist and its clear he does not have his hands on it. When that happens he has to get both feet down to establish himself but he falls out of bounds before he does .. When that happens its not a catch. The key all of you are missing is the fact he got both feet down BEFORE he had secured the catch. it would be the same as if he tipped it up in the air and caught it out of bounds. does not matter that he caught it he was still out of bounds. It does not matter that he had the ball when he hit the ground HE Never estabish control in the field of Play.
Gator CHOMP Champ
December 10th, 2012
11:05 am
Killer instinct…see Seattle, NY, GB, and SF.
Gatorzone
December 10th, 2012
11:06 am
Falcons have not shown they wanted it more in the last several weeks… their Desire seems to wane at the end of the season when championship teams desire gets heated up…
Josh
December 10th, 2012
11:07 am
This year, what team in the league HASN’T had a game like the Falcons did yesterday? I get it that this seems typical of the Falcons this year, but there’s not just that one or two dominate teams in the league. There are a bunch of teams just like the Falcons: really good but with flaws that can be exposed. The playoffs are going to be interesting.
mgm
December 10th, 2012
11:07 am
Early in the year I saw an article comparing this team to the 98 Falcons with the conclusion that this team was better. This team can’t run. That team could. This team has a weak O-line, that team didn’t. This team has a QB that can manage a game but shouldn’t carry the entire load, that team did too. This team has a middle of the road defense and pass rush, that team had a similar one but a better pass rush. Both team have good kickers. Bottom line is that, this team can’t control either line of scrimmage, thus they can run and can’t stop the run. Recipe for disaster in the playoffs. Teams that have a good pass rush will manhandle the Falcons.
Answer This
December 10th, 2012
11:07 am
Us is a Division 1 school
We are a Division 1-AA school
SHut up Thomas
Falcons 73
December 10th, 2012
11:09 am
I have to say that I was greatly disappointed in the Falcons effort yesterday but not surprised. Since the Arizona debacle, in which Matt Ryan threw 5 interceptions, Mike Smith has decided to revert the Falcons back to a “smash mouth football” team (which the Falcons clearly aren’t capable of). The Falcons have too many weapons at WR & TE and to try to make the Falcons into the 49ers is simply stupid. Also, this team can’t run block worth a crap and their only advantage on the o-line is in pass blocking.
If Mike Smith doesn’t get his head out of his a!!, the Falcons will be one and done again this year.
Answer This
December 10th, 2012
11:11 am
And just for giggles Thomas….I think that was Sabans wife who just broke a 75 yard run on your D. Southern playing for a championship…..that Capital One bowl sure looks good! Lol
Thomas Brown
December 10th, 2012
11:13 am
Rick Rogers,
You’re right. I saw it too. The 2-point conversion – we was robbed by the officials group here – had nothing to do with the loss. It was the defense who let Cam Newton run and pass the ball up and down the field until it should have been 35 to nothing and was in fact 23 to nothing.
_______________________________________________________
WE’RE SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT FALCONS 15 YEARS AGO ?
_______________________________________________________
When, I ALREADY said we beat the Vikings that year. Are you having a hard time remembering that was the same year 15 years ago in 1998 that we beat the Vikings ?
I said the Falcons have not done diddle-e-squat EVER except 15 years ago beating the Vikings.
And, your reply now ?
Oh, 15 years ago we went to the Super Bowl in 1998 fifteen (15) years ago.
Answer This
December 10th, 2012
11:16 am
You did what you were supposed to do to a Division 1-AA team…..how many yards on the ground did that UGA D give up to Southern….a Division 1AA team? Tsk tsk. Wow watch what Nebraska does! Lol. Wait there goes Sabans grandson putting up 50 on the ground! Hehehehehehe. In your words…good gosh son!
NCFalcon Fan 65
December 10th, 2012
11:17 am
Having been a Falcon fan for 30 years I don’t know what to make of this team. I know its not all gloom and doom and who knows how things will go in January. I do know a couple of things,….the Falcons do not match up well against a quarterback with ANY mobility at all, be it Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Mike Vick,.or Drew Brees,..and if the team can sustain ANY running attack the Falcons are defensively in trouble. The Falcons D-Line cannot hold the point of attack EVER. The Falcons are four defensive tackles away from being a good defense consistently. Offensively it comes down to predictability, if Turner is in it IS a wasted play. If the offensive line is not presumed good, a running back with some elusiveness is needed,…Turner is not that, plus he is not showing any burst at all. When Q is in at running back the WHOLE playbook is open, a change HAS to be made. A blind man can see the difference in the offense with Q in the back field. Lets hope that management makes the decision SOON. Before the Giants hang 51 on the birds, and sack Ryan 7 times,….next Sunday. Ughhhh
Matt
December 10th, 2012
11:17 am
THey don’t have a running game and their defense is average. That is not a recipe for a Super Bowl Champion.
What is Dunta Robinson’s purpose?? Does he get a bonus every time he is out of position?
econaggie
December 10th, 2012
11:18 am
You can’t judge this team by one lousy game. Now, if this game happens in January then we’re in trouble. Next week is the huge game. How does this Falcons team respond? All the scrutiny is now on Atlanta and I am confident that Smith will have his boys ready to do battle and whip those Giants. BTW, all you haters sound like the same folks that diss CMR, so you know what, get off the bandwagon and watch us Dirty Birds soar high
Dan
December 10th, 2012
11:24 am
I can buy just a bad game but when the same old problems keep occuring over and over there is a real problem. Absolutley no running game and in the first 5 drives Panthers could have had 3rd and 50 and it would not have mattered the defense would not have gotten off the field, I was a little weary about the Giants coming in but now really hate to see it
nobodyyouknow
December 10th, 2012
11:27 am
It looks like they got intimidated by that loud mouth refering to Falcos QB the last time they played Carolina. If so they will never make the super bowl. Nor get far in the playoffs.
smlarsen
December 10th, 2012
11:28 am
agreed econaggie. Im sure you girls have been waiting and waiting wondering when you would get the chance to bad mouth the falcons. Fact of the matter is you have had 2 times this year to do it now. Here is a thought for you losers though. How many times could you do it to your team. Unless your a texans fan more than you could have for us. So get off your pedistals. Texans lose tonight, garunteed. Then what, uh, yea thats right we still have the best record in our division an in the majority of the NFL. A true fan doesn’t cry and complain about this game they stand up and know we will come out strong next week. Rise up with the loyal fans or step aside and stop crying you losers.
PB
December 10th, 2012
11:30 am
Hey econaggie,
You are right, just one game. But is this a picture of things to come, like last two years in playoffs? People say this team is different this year. Maybe so, but they have no running game,especially in short yardage situations. And Matty Ice too shaky in past few games. Not the recipe for a Super Bowl. But maybe they will prove me wrong !
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
11:32 am
Gator CHOMP Champ
December 10th, 2012
11:05 am
Killer instinct…see Seattle, NY, GB, and SF
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All teams listed above have laid egge this year,.
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
11:33 am
eggs
Falcons 73
December 10th, 2012
11:40 am
Another point regarding the Falcons, is that they have no identity. For the first 7 weeks of the season, they were the high flying Falcons who were aggressive with there passing offense and quirky scheme/aggressive defense. Since then, they have been stale and allowing opponents to take it to them.
Hopefully, Mike Smith will allow his coordinators the opportunity to do their respective jobs.
JSS
December 10th, 2012
11:41 am
Esquire, you can’t even tell a lie straight, but that is par the course for the wannabe cheerleader… I ended my season tickets (note plural) on January 9, 2007. That isn’t after the 2007 season… I didn’t care if Byron Leftwich, DJ Shockley, Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, or the playoff loser in residence Matt Ryan was quarterback… Blank showed “his” true color when he got into bed with Petrino… Of course people like you are so starved for any faint clause to grab on have tied your wagon to an overpaid Ryan and the supposed genius of Dimitroff… You are getting the 1995 KC Chiefs, enjoy!!!
Maestro
December 10th, 2012
11:49 am
Lackluster performances like yesterday gives one cause to wonder whether this team is of championship caliber or not. Right now I say no. In order to win the big one you have to do two things. 1) Run and 2) Stop the run. Running the ball effectively means you control the clock, tempo and keeps your defense fresh. Stopping the run forces the opponent into 2nd and long and and 3rd and long situations which allows the defense to be more creative and aggressive.This defense repeatedly gets gashed and with everybody knowing that Scam Newton was going to keep the ball on that 4th down play, he makes it easy and for a coup de gras he goes rumblin and bumblin down the sideline for 72 freakin yards! The Falcons better get their act together and fast. Mike Smith, you’re to blame. This team had 10 days off and came out flat, unenthused and totally ineffective. Abe took more plays off yesterday than I can count. Mike Nolan surprise me,