
Cam Newton blasts off for a 72-yard touchdown run, giving Panthers a 23-0 lead. (AP photo)
I’ll be back shortly with my column off of the Falcons’ game against Carolina today. Until then here are my three short takes on the game.
1. Defensive front dominated: The Falcons saw Carolina score on its first five possessions of the game (taking a 23-0 lead) and were just fortunate that the Panthers converted only two of those drives into touchdowns. Cam Newton was efficient and the Panthers ran the ball effectively. But the biggest reason for the early success was that the Falcons’ defensive front got dominated by Carolina’s offensive line. It didn’t help that defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux left in the second quarter with what was announced as a ribs injury. But it wasn’t all about Babineaux. This game belonged to the Panthers’ line, as well as … (see No. 2).
2. Cam Newton shows his upside: For all the criticism from “anonymous players” and “unnamed sources” about his maturity issues, Newton’s physical talents were on full display. He completed his first eight pass attempts. He threw for 178 yards in the first half on 17-of-25 passing. He had a 21-yard scramble in which he spun the Falcons’ Corey Peters in a 360 and a 72-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It’s like he was back at Auburn again. For the game, Newton finished with 235 yards passing and two touchdowns and he rushed for another 118 yards and a touchdown. So that should quiet everybody for a while.
3. No running game… again: It’s not the only reason they lost the game. But the Falcons again failed to establish a running game, which is an increasingly bad sign in the first week of December. Jacquizz Rodgers (4 for 21) and Michael Turner (7 for 14) combined for only 35 yards rushing. When that happens, it allows opposing defensive linemen to ignore defending the run and enables them to tee off on the quarterback. Matt was sacked only twice but often pressured.
By Jeff Schultz
219 comments Add your comment
CHOKE - the official soft drink of the SB ringless FAILCANTS
December 9th, 2012
4:06 pm
First- FAILCANTS are SB ringless..playoff failures….frauds…exposed today..lmao….such a joke….fans are such delusional zealots o think this junk team had a chance….lmao…
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:06 pm
It won’t be long before all the rats come on this blog like the last one. All the rats that will starting jumping off the bus and being negative because of 1 game.
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
4:07 pm
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
4:04 pm
Now we see how resilient this team is next week.
Slow start this week team loss.
Any injuries today?
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:07 pm
CHOKE – the official soft drink of the SB ringless FAILCANTS
December 9th, 2012
4:06 pm
First- FAILCANTS are SB ringless..playoff failures….frauds…exposed today..lmao….such a joke….fans are such delusional zealots o think this junk team had a chance….lmao…
____________________________________________________________
You’re not a Falcons fan so what do you care? Go somewhere else you trolling piece of crap
11-2!!!!!!!!!
December 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
It is hard to establish a running game when you trail by so much so fast.
DawgPrint
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Butt ugly loss!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
AmpK……………..screw your Giving Him Credit………….Pay your MONEY and Go to the GAME and CHEER for him to WIN one instead of crying like a UGa Mutt fan every time their team missed a play.
kevkat
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
They are “resilent” though..ask Smitty.
Jason
December 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
I don’t know what to think. I think we’re a good team, but no where near great. Teams have these kind of games but not week to week. It was a bad game, no doubt but we’re still sitting pretty. Every other team in the NFC has at least 3 losses. 49ers have 3 with 1 tie, the Packers have 4, the Bears have 4, the Giants have 5…we’re okay record wise but our team needs to get tougher.
Hillbilly D
December 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
I’ve said this before (probably too many times) but line play is what wins football games.
just plain stupid
December 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
this loss hurts…you could have a first round bye..if you had played like you wanted to win…
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
@11-2!!!!!!!!!! This is your so called championship team so what is your point?
Greg Hardy-Panthers DE
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Falcons: I said that we would get payback today. I said we would prove who was best. The Falcons are who we thought they were. Now get your sorry butts out of Charlotte and crawl back to Atlanta.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
DawgPrint
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Butt ugly loss!
_______________________________________
Wasn’t that bad. Got off to a slow start in the first half but they only allowed 16 points. The defense was hurt in the first half by not having their best cover corner and their best safety playing today. The 2nd half was 20-14 Falcons. They finished pretty good being down on the road early.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:14 pm
@ Hillbilly D…
Wasting good knowledge…
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
4:14 pm
Definition of RESILIENT: characterized or marked by resilience: as . a: capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture. b: tending to recover …
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:16 pm
5150 UOAD, why are you always bringing UGA stuff up in a Falcons blog? You’re just one of those pathetic Tech fans that is totally obsessed with UGA and can’t stop your UGA envy for nothing. A Tech fan has no business even mentioning anything UGA until your loser team mans up and beats them.
11-2!!!!!!!!!
December 9th, 2012
4:16 pm
@TCCB My point was clear. I made a statement (opinion) about the article that I read. Did you read it?
Jason
December 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
This game was a wake up call. See what we’re doing wrong and fix it.
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
To see Ryan flourish.
1. Build a Great “D”. That starts with the D-line. Only D-Lineman worth keeping is the Bierman.
2. Upgrade O-Line
3. Realize that you are not a POWER running team. This team is built more like the Colts of Manning and the Patriots of Brady.
Pass to set up run.
Until then. We are all just a whistling Dixie.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
Greg Hardy-Panthers DE
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Falcons: I said that we would get payback today. I said we would prove who was best. The Falcons are who we thought they were. Now get your sorry butts out of Charlotte and crawl back to Atlanta.
_______________________________________________________________
Greg Hardy will be sitting at home watching football in January
elephanthead
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
This is what happens when you mortgage away 2 drafts. You go for the shiny hood ornament rather than working on the body and engine. Falcons are weak from tackle to tackle on both side of the line. The bottom line is Dimitroff’s draft decisions and player evaluation are sub-par at best. When you draft 6th and 7th rounders and expect them to go up against guys like Charles Johnson, JJ Watt, Peppers, etc, your QB is is a dead man.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
We are ok Nation….It is evident that we are not a running team however our head coach must see that and stop the loyalty and be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. Turner did not desevre those 7 touches today, if Quizz was 4 for 21 that is 5 yards a carry! Matt stip the back foot throw, and sometimes you have to put your foot in the ground and take the three yards on the QB scramble! Loyalty will not put these trolls on the blog out of their misery, but being who we are…a passing team will! Stop it coach! Stop coaching by the book and coach with a steel pair! We are the Mighty Falcons and we still Rise Up!
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
Mike (Booby Cox of the NFL) Smith didnt have his team ready. team is paying for the ineptitude in the draft since Dimitroffs arrival. Sad state when all we are hoping for is one playoff win. the national media knows it, us fans have drank too much kool-aide. We have a good reciver but NO O or D line because of him.
Hillbilly D
December 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
JSS
I only watched the first half but it was pretty obvious who was controlling the game, on both sides of the ball. It could just have easily been 28-0 at the half.
Cam Newton showed a lot of what he can be. His upside is pretty high, in my opinion.
Jason
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
Excuse me, the Bears have 5 losses. They lost to the Vikings today. Packers have 4 losses. And the Giants also have 5 losses. Even though those teams have 4-5 losses they are scary. the Falcons are not.
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
Falcons currently 3-2 against division. SB teams dominate their division. FalCants better do better then .500.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
elephanthead
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
This is what happens when you mortgage away 2 drafts. You go for the shiny hood ornament rather than working on the body and engine. Falcons are weak from tackle to tackle on both side of the line. The bottom line is Dimitroff’s draft decisions and player evaluation are sub-par at best. When you draft 6th and 7th rounders and expect them to go up against guys like Charles Johnson, JJ Watt, Peppers, etc, your QB is is a dead man.
_______________________________________________________________________
I think we are 11-1 aren’t we? I mean the last time I checked the records we were 11-1 and have already won the NFC South. Am I wrong? Did I miss something somewhere?
old school
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
We’re in trouble!
just plain stupid
December 9th, 2012
4:21 pm
@Jason…that seems to always be the response. The Falcons have seen this before & MS still hasn’t fixed it.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
Falcons currently 3-2 against division. SB teams dominate their division. FalCants better do better then .500.
__________________________________________________________________________
I don’t thing the Packers dominated their division in 2010. Matter of fact I believe they barely won their last game against the Bears by 2 points to even make the playoffs that year and they won the SB.
Sjamesjobsearch
December 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
Lets face it, that game was a slow motion walkthrough of what you might do with a Scrimage.m Falcons didn’t shownupmto win, they showed up upmtomgo through some motions to make next week easierpir. Falcons weren’t there to play, they were there to play a game, they were there to with their food and learn a few things . Not a losses, just not a win.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
4:24 pm
Well one good thing that came out of this, is that we won’t have to read Esquire’s stupid Falcon song lyrics…
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
4:24 pm
Lets just wait and see what happens next week. Got the Giants coming here. If the Falcons struggle you’ll have the answers to all you questions. Don’t care if they win somehow, if they struggle, you’ll know what the real deal is.
just plain stupid
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
what???
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
kerryb………..because MANY of the people on here that ARE Falcon fans jump on and off the bandwagon just like UGa fans do on their Live Game blogs. Every bad play both teams have fans calling for the coaches/players heads.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
Sjamesjobsearch
December 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
Lets face it, that game was a slow motion walkthrough of what you might do with a Scrimage.m Falcons didn’t shownupmto win, they showed up upmtomgo through some motions to make next week easierpir. Falcons weren’t there to play, they were there to play a game, they were there to with their food and learn a few things . Not a losses, just not a win.
_________________________________________________________________________
You’re right. They held 2 of their best players out on defense to get them healthy for the playoffs. They know they are going to get a first round bye
gg
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
i think it may have done the falcons some good to lose this game. They needed to see that they cannot continue to get behind and come back and win, this has became habitual for these falcons and this trend needs to stop. i do believe the falcons are a very good team, but it’s time they show it!!!!
bgtodd01
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
The intensity wasn’t there for ATL. This was a ho hum game for them. Didn’t really mean too much. Plus, they needed to hold out Moore and Samuel from the defensive backfield. That was huge. But, I’d much rather have them be healthy. Birds will be fine.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
The mighty Falcons got spanked by a 3-9 team?
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
@ Hillbilly…
Observant as usual, and that is a makeshift O-line in Carolina… Regardless, a team that got a screwed up secondary and O-Line (Carolina) has no business imposing their will on a playoff ready team… But, the spin meister(s) are out, so you know how that will go…
As far as for Newton, the kid has Warren Moon in his ear, he has no reason not to take sage advice if he wants to improve and more importantly lead…
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
kerryb………..because MANY of the people on here that ARE Falcon fans jump on and off the bandwagon just like UGa fans do on their Live Game blogs. Every bad play both teams have fans calling for the coaches/players heads.
_________________________________________________________________
I think a lot of the ones you see on here doing that are not really Falcons fans but imposters and I don’t care what they think.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:28 pm
kerryb…………same for the NY Giants. They didn’t dominate their division either.
elephanthead
December 9th, 2012
4:28 pm
Kerryb
Yes, we are 11-2 and I’m glad. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan since 66. But I have to point out what should be obvious here. The record is great, but do you see these guys going up against quality opponents in the playoffs and preforming like that? It’s too depressing…
around town
December 9th, 2012
4:29 pm
I guess it is hard for professional teams to “get up” for every football game, especially when the division has been won and they are up against one of the league’s weaker team. Still, Falcon fans need to be concerned about the team’s prospects going forward after this terrible performance. It really lends credence to the argument that the record is a smoke-and-mirrors job. Next week against NY should tell us more.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:30 pm
I have seen many SB winners lose the last weeks of the season to get on the Hot Streak going into the playoffs and go on to the SB and even win it. Falcons losing today is not the end of the world.
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
4:30 pm
This team took off longer then the mini-by week. If I was Smith this team would never get any more time off this season. Even if they get Home Field adv. thru the playoffs I would work this team until they dragged. Obviously thats the only thing these guys understand.
Give them a break and they think they can just show up. Doesn’t work like that in the NFL.
Time to work their a$$$es unti lthey droop.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
The So RESPECTED SF 49ers and getting picked apart on D and getting shutdown on O.
D-bo
December 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
Hold on a second, playing without Asante Samuel and William Moore who is huge in the run game and delivers massive hits. Not a convincing win by the panthers. Falcons clearly resting some starters.
MJM
December 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
The Carolina Hot Dogs won a game. Wow!!
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
elephanthead
December 9th, 2012
4:28 pm
Kerryb
Yes, we are 11-2 and I’m glad. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan since 66. But I have to point out what should be obvious here. The record is great, but do you see these guys going up against quality opponents in the playoffs and preforming like that? It’s too depressing…
______________________________________________________________________________
I think the Falcons will be more up for playing the Giants, Packers, or 49ers. Hard to get up playing a 3-9 team and you’re holding guys out. This wasn’t a playoff game.
rm
December 9th, 2012
4:32 pm
Cant run. Cant stop the run. Cant get off the field on 3rd downs. Cant protect the qb when it counts. We are trending in the wrong way. 3 weeks to fix it but we wont go far in the playoffs if we don’t. Falcons have to toughen up. Playing soft right now. If Babs is seriously hurt we are in trouble.
Falcon Flap
December 9th, 2012
4:32 pm
After the Georgia loss in SECCG, this is a breeze to deal with. I have been so emotionally involved in our local sports teams for so long that I can’t do it anymore.Maybe one of our teams will surprise us one day. But until then, oh well.
Jason
December 9th, 2012
4:32 pm
You can’t make this Shyt up! The Falcons are not great!
Jason
December 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
Check this out…vs the top two QBs we’ve played this year (Manning, Brees) we have 8 picks. That’s an average of 4 on each QB. We picked Brees off 5 times and Manning 3. Both at home. If we get home field, our defense will perform.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
Jason, name me one great team in the NFC or in the NFL this year.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:31 pm
The So RESPECTED SF 49ers and getting picked apart on D and getting shutdown on O.
Misery loves company…the Niners didn’t whip you, the 3-9 Panthers did!!!
tony
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
Running back Jonathan Stewart, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, strong side linebacker James Anderson and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards did not play for the Panthers. That’s 4 starters out for the Panthers.
Dimitroff need to sign Sebastian Vollmer-OT, Branden Albert-OT and Glenn Dorsey-DT this offseason because he doesn’t draft good OLs/DLs. He also need to draft that Alabama bruiser Eddie Lacy-rb.
Falcon Flap
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
You cant get emotionally involved in our teams anymore. Doesn’t mean you cant watch or support them. You just know what to expect and dont have to get your hopes up.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
Eli Manning just threw a pick six on the Saints 30 yard line. Yea, the Giants are a great team.
Ted M
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
Its games like this that Falcons fans who are skeptics are worried about…all these close wins can expose a team in the playoffs. Sure the Giants and Packers have had bad games but they have proved themselves in the PO’s the Falcons have not. Its not just “one game” its the Falcons entire history…its games this season that they probably should not have won…its lacking fundamental aspects of the game for most of the season like being able to run the ball and stop the run.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
tony……………and just HOW do you expect to do that with our money and draft picks? Your Crazy and think we can spend like Democrats.
Get Real
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
All you alarmist can chill out. The kitties and aunts are done for the year. I’m glad this happened now instead of the first round at the dome. A little embarrassment goes a long way to get in the SB!
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
This is the freakin NFL. Anybody can win on any given Sunday. My god chill the hell out folks. Falcons let this one get away from them too early and the way the clock runs it is very difficult to come back from 23 down and throw the ball every down. If the Falcons go and beat the Giants next week everything will be on track. And to the panther fan that said his team was better, come on man. Stop being silly. 11-2 is 11-2 and you have to beat the teams on the field.
steve brown
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
I’ll take Lacy or Gurley over our running backs right now.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
To all the CHOKE Loser supporters, here are some numbers to chew on while you dry your eyes:
7 Picks in the last 3 games.
14 Picks for the season.
2 picks shy from leading the entire NFL.
60 Picks in 75 regular season games.
Yes, that’s your MVP…………..
HA HA
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:40 pm
“I don’t thing the Packers dominated their division in 2010. Matter of fact I believe they barely won their last game against the Bears by 2 points to even make the playoffs that year and they won the SB.”
A number of falsehoods there, the 2010 Packers were 4-2 in the NFC North. Their two losses to the Lions (without Rodgers KO’d in 1st qtr) and at Chicago were by 4 and 3 points. They won at Lambeau on the final day 10-3 and held the Bears to 227 total yards…
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:40 pm
NY Giants with a kickoff return for a TD……….all tied.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:42 pm
Choke, I’m not crying. We’re 11-2 and division winners. It’s funny how you only make it on the blog when the Falcons are losing or have lost. Any other time you have no *alls to show up on here.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
4:42 pm
2 game losing skid started today ladies…you rested Yosemite Samuel, what will be the excuse next week?
Ted M
December 9th, 2012
4:43 pm
At least Matt Ryan is playing great and its a passing league now.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:43 pm
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:40 pm
“I don’t thing the Packers dominated their division in 2010. Matter of fact I believe they barely won their last game against the Bears by 2 points to even make the playoffs that year and they won the SB.”
A number of falsehoods there, the 2010 Packers were 4-2 in the NFC North. Their two losses to the Lions (without Rodgers KO’d in 1st qtr) and at Chicago were by 4 and 3 points. They won at Lambeau on the final day 10-3 and held the Bears to 227 total yards…
_________________________________________________________________
So, when the Falcons beat the Bucs at home in the last game of the season they will be 4-2 in the Division.
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:43 pm
I know this is the AJC, but there is ONE team playing for a National Championship in Ga….and it aint mythical. The Mighty Blazers of Valdosta State…..u boys in pigtown (aka Athens) tune in on saturday to see how its done. Maybe Richt can pick up some pointers.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
4:42 pm
2 game losing skid started today ladies…you rested Yosemite Samuel, what will be the excuse next week?
_____________________________________________________
I bet there’s cock roaches in your mobile home.
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
The only thing that was established in the first half is the fact that the Falcons were not ready to play this week. The second half looked a little better, but the defense that bent and barely kept the team alive at halftime broke twice (once in the third, once in the fourth). Just a poor effort all around.
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
Hey “Choke” clown, why do you come on this board? Ryan actually had a pretty good game in the second half. The pick was a garbage pick on 4th down. So loser go find your teams board and spout your BS.
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT SACKS RTG
M. Ryan 34/49 342 7.0 2 1 2-15 94.1
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:43 pm
I know this is the AJC, but there is ONE team playing for a National Championship in Ga….and it aint mythical. The Mighty Blazers of Valdosta State…..u boys in pigtown (aka Athens) tune in on saturday to see how its done. Maybe Richt can pick up some pointers.
__________________________________________________________________________________
What division are they in? The one just above high school level?
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Still Ain’t Skeered………….
Dean
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Sorry — I have been a huge Falcons fan (only) since I moved here in ‘81. We have our best teams since Reeves was coaching, but we’re going nowhere. Both of our lines are undersized. The guys who ARE big are fat. Our premiere back is pokey at hitting openings and has poor peripheral vision. Matt Ryan has peaked and Cam Newton is already far better with a huge upside. Ryan is inaccurate under pressure and looks his receiver the whole route. Our offensive coaching is still missing the boat: 3 and 12, you try to pass further down the field than your own backfield. I’m thankful we are in the mix and that we have a good team, but I’m more frustrated than ever because I don’t see the path to a big improvement. Much as I want things to change, much as I love the Falcons, a REALLY good team will decimate them in the playoffs, just as Green Bay and the Giants did. Crap!
AU Liberal in ATL
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Cam’s just getting payback for all the nasty comments made about him a couple of years ago by jerks from Atlanta. He’s a great QB and he proved it again today. I’m a Falons fan, but I gotta say War Eagle!
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
4:47 pm
“Cherk” is not
Definition of reticent (adj)
bing.com · Bing Dictionary
ret·i·cent [ réttiss'nt ] reserved: unwilling to communicate very much, talk freely, or reveal all the facts about something
reluctant: unwilling to do something
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
The only thing that was established in the first half is the fact that the Falcons were not ready to play this week. The second half looked a little better, but the defense that bent and barely kept the team alive at halftime broke twice (once in the third, once in the fourth). Just a poor effort all around.
__________________________________________________________________________
Like it’s been said already. The Falcons were missing half their secondary which included their best cove corner and their best safety.
Strange Murphy
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
One and done in the playoffs again! This team has no heart. Atlanta, city of losers!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
Saints FUMBLE GIANTS ball. 1 pass and in the Red Zone.
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
@kerryb
ask ur mom…shes a BIG fan.
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
11-2. If I told you people before the season started that people would be bitching up a storm as this team was 11-2 you would not have believed me for a second. Get real bandwagon fools.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
7 picks 4 games
14 picks 11 games
60 picks 75 games
AU Liberal in ATL
December 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
On another note, how many touchdown passes have you thrown, Choke. You dumbass jerk.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:50 pm
AU Liberal in ATL
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Cam’s just getting payback for all the nasty comments made about him a couple of years ago by jerks from Atlanta. He’s a great QB and he proved it again today. I’m a Falons fan, but I gotta say War Eagle!
_________________________________________________________________________
Cam is just a pathetic immature showboat. I wanted to slap him through the TV every time he got up after a first don with that stupid pointing. When you’re 3-9 just go back to the huddle and shut up.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:50 pm
Valdosta St is below the NAT LINE so Who in the ATL cares?
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:50 pm
now Ga Sou we read about cause they have won a lot of National Championships.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:51 pm
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
@kerryb
ask ur mom…shes a BIG fan.
________________________________________
That’s a really intelligent comment. That kind of comment shows a simple mind
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:51 pm
Hey kerryb where are my cookies girl?
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:53 pm
Strange Murphy
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
One and done in the playoffs again! This team has no heart. Atlanta, city of losers!
________________________________________________________________
You have no brain
treaddawg
December 9th, 2012
4:53 pm
@Falcon Flap
After the Georgia loss in SECCG, this is a breeze to deal with. I have been so emotionally involved in our local sports teams for so long that I can’t do it anymore.Maybe one of our teams will surprise us one day. But until then, oh well.
________________________________________________________________________________
Same here, the dawg game destroyed me lol. The only time I screamed today was when laying behind my tv cabinet trying to connect my FM antenna to my receiver so I could bypass the gushing for Carolina announcers.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
If you choose to assume (Tampa)… The issue was that you said the Packers were not very good in the NFC North that particular season. They also went to Foxborough and lost by 4… As a matter of none of their 6 losses were by more than 4 points the entire season… They’d shown a killer instinct at least earlier in the season winning games by 27, 28, and 38… It was a poor comparison…
Georgia
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
Look, the falcons lose as ugly as they win. I can’t explain the wins or the losses. Except one thing today: the panther cheerleaders went commando in the second half, and that’s just plain cheating. No team can adjust to that. Refs calls were screwy too.
TechApp fan
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
Panthers gave the birds a bird!
The “gave” you the first game…
Sam
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
What happened to Harry Douglas? I thought this was going to be his breakout year. McClain is so much better than dunta. I’m sick of watching him whiff on tackles and bit on fakes
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
Dean
December 9th, 2012
4:46 pm
Sorry — I have been a huge Falcons fan (only) since I moved here in ‘81. We have our best teams since Reeves was coaching, but we’re going nowhere. Both of our lines are undersized. The guys who ARE big are fat. Our premiere back is pokey at hitting openings and has poor peripheral vision. Matt Ryan has peaked and Cam Newton is already far better with a huge upside. Ryan is inaccurate under pressure and looks his receiver the whole route. Our offensive coaching is still missing the boat: 3 and 12, you try to pass further down the field than your own backfield. I’m thankful we are in the mix and that we have a good team, but I’m more frustrated than ever because I don’t see the path to a big improvement. Much as I want things to change, much as I love the Falcons, a REALLY good team will decimate them in the playoffs, just as Green Bay and the Giants did. Crap!
________________________________________________________________________
Aren’t we 11-2? I can’t tell
Ryder
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
No big loss today, I mean the Steelers lost to Norv Turner (AT HOME nonetheless) and Chicago lost at Minnesota yet I don’t think their fans are about to jump ship, and neither should the Falcons. If anything they should make sure they are at their healthiest when they get to the playoffs. I would say that next week is the game they really need to come out and play well with the Giants coming into town.
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
No cookies for Choke well maybe some chumplate chips
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
Ryan 54-21 as a starter.
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
Like it’s been said already. The Falcons were missing half their secondary which included their best cove corner and their best safety.
That doesn’t explain how poor the offense was. We’ve had trouble getting people off the field on third down all year with Samuel and Moore in the lineup, so I don’t see how it made a huge difference today. Injuries can be reasons, but the lack of effort today was inexcusable, especially against a division opponent who called you out all week. Our guys should have been fired up and looking to beat the Panthers to sleep. Instead, they decided to sleep in for the first half.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
JSS
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
If you choose to assume (Tampa)… The issue was that you said the Packers were not very good in the NFC North that particular season. They also went to Foxborough and lost by 4… As a matter of none of their 6 losses were by more than 4 points the entire season… They’d shown a killer instinct at least earlier in the season winning games by 27, 28, and 38… It was a poor comparison…
_____________________________________________________________
The Packers were 9-7 and there was no indication they were going to go off in the playoffs like they did.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
4:57 pm
Here is perspective….we lost and got beat by a team that came ready to play today. Still 11-2! We got alot of things to fix in 3 games…….what team doesnt? Still 11-2. Got to find out what is wrong with the O that we have had 4 bad weeks…….already in the playoffs….11-2. No spin, play like this and you lose in the playoffs…simple…..still 11-2 in the playoffs! We not a running team…..no more loyalty to Turner….Quizz should have become the man today and Mike would not let him……Smitty I admirr your loyalty because MT did it for you for three years……his time is up……still 11-2, got to fix the issues now and no better to do it against than one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL…..fix it now and start your Rise Up for the Playoffs! Lots of holes like lots of teams…….deal is can coaching Coach…..11-2 says yes……now prove it! Stiill 11-2 still rising…..on one leg right now but still rising! Be calm Nation we will fix what the problem is!
IlliniDawg
December 9th, 2012
4:57 pm
CHOKE and kerryb and others would rather have Vick (no longer a starting QB), Flacco (lost today and not having a great season), RG3 (down with a knee injury and maybe out for the season), or Scam (won today but will be playing Super Bowl on his Madden 2012). I can’t understand why folks don’t appreciate what a solid QB we have. Today was all on the defense, not Ryan.
Buzzman
December 9th, 2012
4:57 pm
And you call this a playoff team!!!! Get real, we are the same as we have always been, we have just been lucky this year, we will again lose on the first playoff game, sorry to say………
Roach
December 9th, 2012
4:57 pm
Your playoff preview. Falcons don’t show up, get blown out. Again. Get your tickets now.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:59 pm
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
Like it’s been said already. The Falcons were missing half their secondary which included their best cove corner and their best safety.
That doesn’t explain how poor the offense was. We’ve had trouble getting people off the field on third down all year with Samuel and Moore in the lineup, so I don’t see how it made a huge difference today. Injuries can be reasons, but the lack of effort today was inexcusable, especially against a division opponent who called you out all week. Our guys should have been fired up and looking to beat the Panthers to sleep. Instead, they decided to sleep in for the first half.
_________________________________________________________________________
I know I would really get fired up to play a 3-9 team that is going nowhere.
Pigskin
December 9th, 2012
5:00 pm
I don’t see us winning another game this year. The decline started over a month ago and is getting worse.
It is what it is kids.
Good time to start playing the scrubs and get them some experience.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
Kerryb is most certainly a woman.
Georgia
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
My direct tv lets me watch eight games at once. Redskins greatness. Dallas amazing. Sundays in the fall! Three games on right now. It’s five pm. Do you know where your brewskis are?
Norman Cochran
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
This was the worst officiated game I have ever saw. Carolina Offensive linemen where holding like crazy on nearly every running play. Nothing was called. Offensive linemen moved prior to snap and John Abraham had to point it out to the Refs. How much money did the Panthers have to pay the Refs to get the game to go their way.
lees
December 9th, 2012
5:02 pm
It’s getting a little late to fix the running game and O line. If it were going to get fixed, it would have been in the middle of the season. Credit goes to Carolina. They came to play!
TN Jeff
December 9th, 2012
5:02 pm
Falcons are in playoff mode early!
Ted M
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
Michael Turner needs to be the Falcons 3rd string running back. Screw loyalty.
ref
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
not much
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
I would have been more worried if the Falcons played really bad the entire game and got completely blown out by the Panthers 30-0 or 30-7 but they didn’t. They got beat by 10 points. They played a pretty good second half scoring 3 TD’s. Not worried at all. Sometimes you come out in a game against a 3-9 team and play flat in the first half and they did this time. The Panthers still have a good RB and Steve Smith so they still have players. It might have been a little different if Samuel was covering Smith instead of Owens. It might have been a little different if Moore was coming up and smacking Newton when he tried to run. It’s just one game.
Big AL
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
Falcons have officially started their preparation for the annual post-season slide. Just like a fine watch. Right on time.
Dean
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
kerryb,
Yes, we’re 11-2. I take your point and I’m happy about that. But I still feel like we had a weak schedule and we have been more lucky than good. We could just as easily go into the playoffs 11-5, which you could also point out at the time. Most great teams have that extra gear that they shift into for the playoffs. I just haven’t seen that gear from this team, ever. It always seems that we are up against the red line during the regular season and have no upside for the playoffs. We’ll have to wait and see. I will not stop cheering for them and hoping, but I’m not holding my breath, either.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
Norman Cochran
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
This was the worst officiated game I have ever saw. Carolina Offensive linemen where holding like crazy on nearly every running play. Nothing was called. Offensive linemen moved prior to snap and John Abraham had to point it out to the Refs. How much money did the Panthers have to pay the Refs to get the game to go their way.
Are you an adult? If so, what asylum are you confined in?
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
Kerryb is most certainly a woman.
____________________________________________
well, you’re most certainly a POS
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
@lees
not to late to fix the o line! Let them do what they are good at……pass block. Nothing wrong with the running game that Quizz and 15 touches a game wont fix……
spencer
December 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
Not just “one game.’ One loss. they managed to turn all of their other miserable performances into improbable wins. But when you are a team that enters December with three of your last four games being dreadful performances, and you continue to not be able to run and not be able to stop the run, and you had 10 days to prepare to shut up a Carolina team that has been showing you no respect whatsoever, well, when you have all of these things, and you sh-t on yourselves like they did today, you are a team that is going to be one and done in the playoffs. Mark my words, the only good thing about today is that it will be less shocking and it won’t sting as much when it happens, but it will happen. This team is playing its worst football right now. Oh, I forgot, there are three more games for it to get even worse. I think the team should be prosecuted for fraud. I felt sick after last week’s undeserved win. Now at least everyone sees the elephant in the room!
John Alexander
December 9th, 2012
5:08 pm
One team is going home, one team is going to playoffs. Simple as that! Guess which one.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
kerryb’s overrated Falcons lose to a 3-9 Carolina squad, and she runs to the AJC blogs to pick a virtual fight!
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:11 pm
You a fan spencer? Or you just unhappy about being 11-2?
Big perry
December 9th, 2012
5:13 pm
falcons cannot run the football that right i am a falcons fan, i am not a band wagoner i been a falcons fan for a long time and this team haven”t change and i know, no one can tell me i learn not to trust the falcons when it come to teams with bad record and the playoff the falcons cannot handle this. less the 50 yards rush falcons fan wake up this team ain”t s- – t. And cannot not tackle get this want to be great football team off the field and get some playmaker.This team is a joke cam a qb out rush the falcons football team with a 72 yard td this is dam sad.And the fan got to cheer for this B.S. of a football team falcons fans please we as fans need more when it come to playmaking when it come to the falcons!!!!!!!
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:13 pm
Dean
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
kerryb,
Yes, we’re 11-2. I take your point and I’m happy about that. But I still feel like we had a weak schedule and we have been more lucky than good. We could just as easily go into the playoffs 11-5, which you could also point out at the time. Most great teams have that extra gear that they shift into for the playoffs. I just haven’t seen that gear from this team, ever. It always seems that we are up against the red line during the regular season and have no upside for the playoffs. We’ll have to wait and see. I will not stop cheering for them and hoping, but I’m not holding my breath, either.
______________________________________________________________________
So, this is the weakest team the Falcons has lost to this year but so have the other so called great teams in the NFC. The Giants lost to the Bengals, and the 49ers lost last week to the Rams. It happens. I think the Panthers are a better team than 3-9. A lot of the games they lost were close games. They could easily have 3 or 4 more wins
Rudy
December 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
I think the biggest problem has been Smitty thinking that he has a running game….please, go back to doing what you did in the 1st half of season….throw the ball on 1st down from the 1st play on…..throw to TE on seam plays….use the drag pass or crossing plays….use the pass to open some running lanes. Please quit running every 1st down, it puts the team in 2nd and long. The Giants will eat Ryan alive if he’s gotta throw long on every 2nd & 3rd down.
Bernie
December 9th, 2012
5:15 pm
At this rate the Falcons will be one and done in the playoffs and I hope Mr. Blank cleans house if this happens again. If the Falcons could have done in the first half what they did in the second half maybe they could have won the game. When you are behind like they were you can’t keep trying the same old things over and over. Sure looked like the old Mularkey plays today. You sure he wasn’t calling the plays. With all the weapons the Falcons have seems like we could dominate other teams but they got dominated today. One of the Panthers said they were better than the Falcons and I would agree with him today. The Falcons live on the edge all the time and I think the same conclusion will happen again when crunch time comes..
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
5:15 pm
Choke – My man, your boy Vick is not playing, having been beaten out by a Rookie QB! Ryan passed for almost 350 yds, 2 TD’s and played a decent game. He was pressured a lot. Our DL can not seem to consistently pressure other teams QB, must not be quick or strong enough, that will hurt us in playoffs, I’m afraid. But we are 11-2 not 2-11, do not forget that fans. We seem to play well at home, which is where we will be 1st round of playoffs! After that, who knows?
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:16 pm
Here is the real question if they would have neat Carilina and lost to the Giants next week….you would have said we cant beat a good team….sigh tough to be a Falcon fan and have to apologize for being 11-2.
Tampa lost to Philly
Ravens lost to Redskins
Beara lost to Vikings
Pittsburgh lost to San Diego…..yes san diego
come on blog trolls just recognize that any team any Sunday and stop the Falcon bashing. They got beat by a team more prepared to play today…it wad their playoff! Lol.
FYI
49ERS tied 3 up
AINTS about to tie it up with those Might Giants u all love so much
Come on trollbloggers…..put it in perspective!
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:16 pm
Rudy
December 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
I think the biggest problem has been Smitty thinking that he has a running game….please, go back to doing what you did in the 1st half of season….throw the ball on 1st down from the 1st play on…..throw to TE on seam plays….use the drag pass or crossing plays….use the pass to open some running lanes. Please quit running every 1st down, it puts the team in 2nd and long. The Giants will eat Ryan alive if he’s gotta throw long on every 2nd & 3rd down.
_________________________________________________________________
Smitty is not the OC. The play calls are done by Dirk Koeter
JSS
December 9th, 2012
5:16 pm
“The Packers were 9-7 and there was no indication they were going to go off in the playoffs like they did.”
They were 10-6, and they hung 45 points on the NY Giants in week 16, and they shutdown a supposedly superior Bears team (who’d gone 7-1) in the final game… Sure, nobody saw it coming! Once they got past the Eagles, they were playing teams that didn’t match up well with them…
extremus
December 9th, 2012
5:19 pm
The lack of a pass rush, the lack of run defense, and the lack of a respectable running game have been a constant storyline for the 2012 Falcons, so Mr. Schultz’s synopsis of this loss comes as no surprise. Get any team in a deep hole quickly and they’re forced to go to the pass, which makes them prone to the occasional pick; take that situation as the default (as the Falcons have no running game) and Atlanta is dangerously one-dimensional since Ryan has no choice but to keep the ball in the air. Frankly I think Matt Ryan’s done an excellent job not being intercepted more than he has, let alone given the fact that his O-line seems to occasionally take plays off.
I’ve no idea how this team will respond after this loss or whether they’ll even finally get the “win in the playoffs” monkey off their backs this year. Just too many glaring weaknesses to even suggest they’re a lock to accomplish anything. As much as I still hold out hope for a Superbowl title this year, I have to confess that I’m already VERY much looking forward to seeing if Thomas Dimitroff can finally get us a power RB and get some defensive line guys in here who will smash some mouths and get to the QB this offseason. The window, as has been stated many times, isn’t getting any bigger.
falconsrus
December 9th, 2012
5:20 pm
answer this’ good question
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:20 pm
@Answer This
Change your name to “Try and Answer This”. Good grief pal…did you finish elementary school?
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
Is that roach in your mouth or roach in your house? I am out watching the game and typing on a phone used toilet paper! Now back to your roaches……
rm
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
Choke, please answer this question… how old are you?
Rudy
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
kerryb…who does the OC work for? Right, Smitty sets the philosphy for entire team! He says run the ball, throw short…you best do what the Boss wants
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
Georgia Dome has roaches, Dude, just go somewhere else. You’re the cock roach. Man what a pest.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:25 pm
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
Is that roach in your mouth or roach in your house? I am out watching the game and typing on a phone used toilet paper! Now back to your roaches……
I rest my case…
Who Me?
December 9th, 2012
5:27 pm
Now that we clinched the fans are panicking. Today was a showup and get by day to try and minimize injuries and give a couple of D starters a rest. Of concern was the lack of run defense and the 3 and outs by Matt Ryan’s O.
patience people, this is a work in progress. I’m just hoping that the O line and D line can hang in there relatively healthy through January…
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:27 pm
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
Georgia Dome has roaches, Dude, just go somewhere else. You’re the cock roach. Man what a pest.
Yes ma’am. Just wanted to remind you that your beloved Falcons just got THUMPED by a 3-9 team.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:29 pm
Just reminding you that you on a blog of a team u dont like….rest my case coackroach!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
To all those so sure the Falcons will not win a Playoff game, you need to come to the Stadium after the Falcons win their first playoff game. I am sure we can get the players or uniform guy to give us enough Game Worn Jock Straps so you guys can chew on them.
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
@ Answer This
I love you! Your spelling and grammar are horrible!
mock1
December 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
I am concerned about the Falcons on the offensive & defensive lines, i am afraid that the lack of QB pressure and the lack of run blocking will lead to another early playoff exit. These problem areas are already starting to show…SMH
sheepdawg
December 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
uh oh, is see a bad times ahead for this team. no pass rush on d, o line is sub par for the nfl. good chance playoff drought will continue. right now, this team would not be a safe even bet vs. the packers or seahawks
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
Let the cockroach dude put it in his mouth! Lol.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
December 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
ugly and exposed for the frauds they are…ladies and gentlemen, your Atlanta Falcons…America’s favorite NFL one and done playoff franchise…
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
I be luvin the Falcons my hole lyfe? Choo on dat you cockeroach!
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 9th, 2012
5:34 pm
It’s December, and this year’s Birds are beginning to look a lot like the Falcons of 2011 and 2010.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
5:34 pm
“Today was a showup and get by day to try and minimize injuries and give a couple of D starters a rest.”
How did that workout?
rm
December 9th, 2012
5:36 pm
Roaches…whats your team?
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:37 pm
I b liking you also fake Answer This! Lol. You otay wib me! Ripe us…i meanz riSe up! Hey cockroach boy….why would u b looking for roaches in the Georgia Dome? U b hungry?
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
5:38 pm
rm
December 9th, 2012
5:36 pm
Roaches…whats your team?
=============================
He cheers for the Dung Beatles. You know they are tuff.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:40 pm
@5150
Go Yellow Jackets…only bowl team with a losing record.
mock1
December 9th, 2012
5:41 pm
O-line cant run block,D-line cant pass rush and a fat,slow,washed-up Turner does not help either! Secondary needs to man-up sometimes and get out of that soft azz zone!!! Houston we have a problem !
rm
December 9th, 2012
5:41 pm
They are in the canadian league right 5150? I hear their offense is quite pungent…stings the nostrils
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:42 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^_
NOT ME…….JUST SAYING…got an imposter in the house.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:43 pm
Lol dung……you stink Roaches…..that dung on your breath?
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:43 pm
Git yo own name cockroach!!!
tmc
December 9th, 2012
5:45 pm
Every week i hear Mike Smith talk about “mistakes that were made and how they are going to fix those and get better next week…” (even when they win).
But, i see this team REGRESSING and getting worse, not better.
I know injuries play a part, but it’s time for CMS to stop being so soft in interviews and start demanding more from his players.
LakeDawg
December 9th, 2012
5:46 pm
The Falcons have some injuries and this was a trap game. However, a team looking to make some noise in the playoffs doesn’t get dominated like this. The Falcons record is a product of an easy schedule, reinvigoration from the coaching shakeup, opponents needing time to scout the new D and O, and some luck and grittiness. The Falcon coaches have done a great job and that includes the coaches that left. The players give their all and often play over their head, but the Falcons have too many holes. Dimitroff (sp?) has performed poorly in talent evaluation. Instead of admitting he is not a genius, he got rid of the coordinators. Implying it was their fault the team can’t win a playoff game. WRONG. It is his fault. The Falcons don’t have the talent need at DL, DB, and OL. Period. If they played in the 1st round this year, they might get a win. Its more likely they will get a bye into the 2nd round and they will lose.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
Wow a fake Answer This…..dont know if i should be honored or scared? Hmmmmmm. I do believe Jeff will be booting you very soon fake Answer This @5:43……just when I thought you were half cool….lol.
clem
December 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
mike smith pretty good coach, but team is vastly overrated. no running threat (including matty), moderate arm qb, & sporadic defense. don’t know how they got to 11-1 before this rout.
rm
December 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
There are 2 “Answer This” comments at 5:43.
Steve From Dalton
December 9th, 2012
5:52 pm
Give the Panthers their due. They kicked the Falcons butt up and down the field.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
5:54 pm
2nd one at 5:43….the get your own name one…..
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
December 9th, 2012
5:55 pm
how come we don’t celebrate a loss like the Bulldawgs? they seem to be ok with losing…maybe saving the loss celebration for our first playoff game/loss/same thing…
playmeortrademe
December 9th, 2012
5:55 pm
Until the major college and pro football teams in this state learn that you win by running the ball, stopping the run, protecting your QB and pressuring the other teams QB with your offensive and defensive lines, there will never be another major football championship in this state. Football is not as hard a sport as it is made out to be, its been the formula for champions since modern football began.
air of mendacity
December 9th, 2012
5:58 pm
We were due for really crappy game – that being said, we appear to have some glaring weaknesses that will rear their ugly head during playoffs. They are the same problems that have been present all year. Dont think the problems can be fixed this year, but we will see. The good test will come next week at home against Giants. If we are blown out or dominated – Oh oh – deep trouble.
Georgia Dome has roaches AND losers...
December 9th, 2012
5:59 pm
Tony Gonzalez is retiring at the end of the Falcons season (January) which means that the Falcons won’t even win 5 games next year!
Robert Dallas
December 9th, 2012
6:04 pm
I am no football expert, but it has been obvious even to me for several seasons that they don’t have a running game. How is it possible to run a major football franchise and not be able to see this?!?
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
6:04 pm
Next Sunday, NYG v. Falcons. Contender or Pretender. All will know. Might even score more than 2 pts.
USMC DAWG
December 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
I am glad Jeff brought up the Falcons’ atrocious offensive line.
Two Frauds= Sam Baker and Michael Turner
TomDawg
December 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
Who the hell were the announcers today? If they had sCam up there butts any deeper they would have had to call the local fire department to bring out the Jaws of Life to remove him. Pitiful performance by the Falcons, but hopefully they will learn from this loss. Carolina, not near as good as we made them look. BTW, that first TD Carolina had…..he never got 2 feet in bounds, look at it. 2 pt. conversion should have been over turned. A better play should have been called on 4th down interception. Watch the Falcons look like a completely different team against the Giants next week. They will bring there “A” game.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 9th, 2012
6:07 pm
The next game (Giants) will tell us a lot. Giants are a legitimate playoff team, have been there before, and are in the Falcons heads after last years dominating performance in Atlanta’s one-and-done playoff adventurs.
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
6:09 pm
btw, looked like 5pick got hurt again, is he ok?
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
6:09 pm
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
I think we are 11-1 aren’t we? I mean the last time I checked the records we were 11-1 and have already won the NFC South. Am I wrong? Did I miss something somewhere?
_______________________
You’ve definitely missed something if you think the Falcons are 11-1.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
6:12 pm
Brees with another INT boy he is GREAT and RYAN sucks.
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
6:13 pm
Yeah, that was no fun.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
6:14 pm
WOW
Tony Gonzalez is retiring
I guess somebody knows something the rest of us including TONY don’t know.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
6:19 pm
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
Ryan 54-21 as a starter.
__________________________________________
Flacco has that PLUS 5 When it counts………….
ha ha
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
6:21 pm
Giants 1,000
Falcants 2
ha ha
Black Diamond
December 9th, 2012
6:21 pm
The Giants will crush this team one and done in the playoffs the falcons are frauds just like the Braves, Hawks, Mayor Reed, Governor Deal, Clark Howard do I need to go on?
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
6:22 pm
I agree, the NY game next week at HOME, should tell us a lot about our team. Can we COMPETE against a good team at HOME? Keep their DL off Matt and I think we will be ok?
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 9th, 2012
6:22 pm
Clark Howard is NOT a fraud!
I can’t argue the others.
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
6:23 pm
I am so proud of the way these men stepped up for MSmith. I hope he is proud also.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
6:24 pm
Wow its some angry little people on these blogs…..hard to imagine all of this hate about a team that would appear half of these people dont like? Amazing! Why come here to voice displeasure about a team you dont like? Because you are all real closet fans…….lol. Tough being a fan but trust me….real fans have to stick it out!
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 9th, 2012
6:25 pm
Eli Manning is going to dissect our “secondary” and won’t have to worry too much about our “pass rush”.
dave
December 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
don’t panic we all know falcons would have a game like this. hard to get up for last place team.probly should have saved the gas and time going up there. no energy at all. get it out of the system and get ready for the giants. time to finish strong.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
Furman Bitcher
December 9th, 2012
4:39 pm
And to the panther fan that said his team was better, come on man. Stop being silly. 11-2 is 11-2 and you have to beat the teams on the field.
____________________
Well, they DID beat us on the field–badly. Did you miss the game?
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
6:27 pm
@Tom, are you a turtle?
TroutFalcon
December 9th, 2012
6:28 pm
No need to panic over the 2nd loss of the season a week after clinching the division just wish our offense hadn’t been a total no show in the 1st half. Carolinas defensive line got way too much pressure on Matt Ryan which resulted in a lot of forced passes. Hopefully Smitty can get these guys refocused before next week against NYG.
Norman Cochran
December 9th, 2012
6:28 pm
Georgia Dome has Roaches, You really talk big when typing on the computer, but I bet you are really a wuss at best. Everyone on this site express their opinions and you want to slam them. If you can’t say anything constructive then keep your Fly Trap SHUT!!!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
6:30 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout……….is just mad his Potus didn’t get Georgia to allow him to marry his boyfriend Big Brutus Jailhouse legally yet.
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
Clark Howard is a fraud ?
How’s that ?
legionaire
December 9th, 2012
6:35 pm
No running game and a D that looked confused and gave Newton all day to pass and look like Drew Brees. This team will not get past the 1st playoff game looking like they have for the past couple of weeks.
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
6:38 pm
Choke you are funny hell lmfao
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
6:40 pm
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
Injuries can be reasons, but the lack of effort today was inexcusable, especially against a division opponent who called you out all week.
____________________
And a WEAK division opponent at that.
78Dawg
December 9th, 2012
6:42 pm
D Line killed us. We coldn’t stop the run or pass. Two starters in secondary hurt, but I don’t think it mattered. The middle with worthless Peria Jerry killed us…..Hey D_Block.get your crap together and stop bragging. Spoon….. lose the antics until you prove to be a leader.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
6:44 pm
Only play what the schedule says…..if we beat every “good” team by 1 point this year….that would not be enough for alot of people…..would have said we only won by 1…..if you win you win! Grown men who get paid show up on Sunday! Regardless if they are 3-9 or 11-1…..thats the NFL!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
6:45 pm
Georgia Dome has roaches
December 9th, 2012
5:01 pm
Kerryb is most certainly a woman.
______________________
So THAT’S what it is. I was wondering.
Georgia Dome has roaches AND losers...
December 9th, 2012
6:46 pm
Excuses for today’s lost to 3-9 Carolina.
1) Yosemite Samuel bad shoulder needed a rest.
2) Julio Jones is terminally hamstrung
3) Carolina paid off the officials.
4) Falcons didn’t care because they already won division.
5) Georgia Dome is not portable.
drew
December 9th, 2012
6:47 pm
I’m not buying the “Falcons didn’t care about this game; we’ve already got home field” argument. This team played today like it has all year..INCONSISTENTLY. I’ve watched every game, and they simply don’t pass the eyeball test. They might be 11-2 on paper, but their about 8-5 base on the ol’ eyeball. I guarantee you any playoff team out there would LOVE to draw the Falcons.
Yeah, at this point, the only thing that really matters is January. But this is the time of year when the contenders play their best ball and the pretenders wet their pants. And if this is the team that shows up, it’s one and done…again. We have no pass rush and we have no running game. Not a good recipe for winning in January.
And if we DO beat the Giants next week, you can bet your ass it’ll be a squeaker.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
6:49 pm
“Grown men who get paid show up on Sunday! Regardless if they are 3-9 or 11-1…..thats the NFL!”
Seattle – 48, Arizona – 0
Milo
December 9th, 2012
6:50 pm
I’m not surprized at all. We haven’t played ” lights out football” with anybody this year. We’ve been very good at times.., and also very lucky. The players mailed it in today because we were 11-1 and they chose to not get hurt and really don’t care bout the panther game.
I’ll ignore today as a fan, but I expect to see this same game again…..probably when it counts the most.
Maybe the Birds need to eat some bath salts next Sunday for breakfast.
Please find some FIRE & DESIRE soon!
Starting w/ Coach/Matt & u LINE COACHES!
The Truth
December 9th, 2012
6:51 pm
Mike Smith has become the “new” Marty Shottenheimer. Matt Ryan has become the “new” Bernie Kozar.
Good coaches and good quarterbacks. Not “great” coaches or “great” quarterbacks.
Mike Smith probably doesn’t have the great coaching skills to win a Super Bowl. He’s a good man. A good coach. But not a great one.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
6:53 pm
Babineaux got hurt, so much for that plan!
Dan Reesecup
December 9th, 2012
6:53 pm
A bad and ugly loss will help down the stretch as they correct the problems we say and have witnessed this season. If the Falcons are serious about playing to another level, they will correct this mess quickly. I expected the Falcons to be either 12-4 or 13-3.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
6:55 pm
Cheer up Falcants fans. I know you are suffering from “Haven’t won a playoff game since Bush was in office syndrome” but it will get better.
I’m joking, it won’t get better….ha ha
The Truth
December 9th, 2012
6:55 pm
Drew is telling the truth. The Falcons are one and done in the playoffs. Again.
-This is the last year for M. Turner
-Shake up coming on “O” line. Trades and drafts picks will be the order of the day.
-After next year, will Smith be here? If not Smith, who?
-The Falcons are just interesting enough to lure Bill Cowher out of retirement.
Georgia Dome has roaches AND losers...
December 9th, 2012
6:56 pm
Hey, is it true that the mighty, mighty Falcons…lost to a 3-9 team today? The same Falcons that have to come up with corny slogans, dances, and nicknames just to make themselves feel relevant?
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
6:57 pm
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
It might have been a little different if Samuel was covering Smith instead of Owens. It might have been a little different if Moore was coming up and smacking Newton when he tried to run. It’s just one game.
_________________
Too many ifs and might-hav- beens. And “just one game” is all it takes in the playoffs.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2012
6:57 pm
Game column is posted. Let’s move all commenting over there. Thanks, J.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/12/09/falcons-give-performance-to-leave-us-wondering-again/