LIVE: Falcons seek No. 1 seed; AJC endures minus D-Led
An artist's rendering of Darryl Ledbetter's injury. (Zazzle.com)
DETROIT — Good evening. Welcome to Monday night football on Saturday night. Because while the NFL sees nothing wrong with multiple Thursday games that increase the chance of concussion hangovers (shortened game weeks) and is pushing for an 18-game season, at least it won’t make teams play on Christmas Eve.
Before we get to the Falcons-Detroit game, I’d like to give a shout out to the captain of the AJC’s Falcons’ coverage, Darryl “Lightning Led” Ledbetter. He’s a former high school cornerback who claims to have patterned his game after Jack Tatum, the only difference being that Tatum took out opponents and
Here's actual updated look at Ledbetter's left leg.
Ledbetter took out himself.
Last Saturday morning, while carrying three loads of laundry, he tripped on a book that was left on the stairs at the state Ledbetter manor. Down went Lightning. His left leg buckled.
An X-ray revealed no damage so D-Led toughed it out last Sunday, covering the Falcons- New York Giants game with what he (and a mistaken doctor) believed was just a bad knee sprain. But a followup MRI
Matthew Stafford (Georgia) and Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech) have been a lethal combination since uniting in the NFL. (AP photo)
revealed D-Led had a ruptured quadriceps, which required surgery Thursday.
While the AJC is not required to declare our writers’ inactive list until 90 minutes before kickoff — competitive reasons — I’ll disclose that D-Led did not make the trip to Detroit, nor is he expected to cover next week’s regular season finale against Tampa Bay.
“I’m hoping to be back by the playoffs,” he said.
That still put him ahead of Ray Edwards.
So the able and fleet-footed Michael Cunningham has come in off the bench and is in Motown with me for tonight’s coverage. Michael told me he long had been dreaming of making a December trip to the tropical paradise that is Detroit. (I might have made that up.)
OK, about the game. The Falcons are coming off their biggest win and most impressive performance of the season, a 34-0 blowout of the Giants. This game can’t match that one in marquee value but there’s a lot on the line. A win over the Lions guarantees them a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, which would give several banged up players a week of needed rest. Here are the scenarios:
• They secure a first-round bye with: 1) A win or tie tonight; OR 2) a Green Bay loss or tie vs. Tennessee; OR 3) a San Francisco loss at Seattle.
• They secure the No. 1 seed with: 1) A win tonight; OR 2) a tie and a San Francisco loss or tie; OR 3) A Green Bay loss or tie and a San Francisco loss.
A strong performance against the Lions would be a good sign going into the postseason, whereas an emotional letdown would again make some wonder about what lies ahead. As tight end Tony Gonzalez said, “This is not the time to go cool. It’s not the time to think you’ve arrived. Actually, it’s the worst time to have that attitude.”
Stating the obvious: The Falcons’ defense likely will double-cover wide receiver Calvin Johnson (who has a chance to break Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving record) because there is not much else on the Lions’ offense to worry about. Offensively, the team will be rematched against Mr. Wholesome, Ndamukong Suh, and the Lions’ defensive front. Detroit actually has been pretty solid defensively, especially for a 4-10 team, but the Lions have hurt themselves with turnovers (26) and penalties (6.9 per game).
That’s all I’ve got for now. The Falcons try to secure home field and the AJC endures without Lightning Led.
The cyber-venting lines are now open.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,122 comments Add your comment
phil
December 22nd, 2012
8:02 pm
Jason, i hate to wet on your cornflakes, but I am most certainly NOT Choke…..
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan – You know my policy on banning generally is limited to matters pertaining to race, profanity, etc. But I’m considering expanding the criteria just for you. So while you’re welcome to be critical of somebody or something, if the only purpose of you commenting on a blog is to stir up trouble and provoke a response (or responses), understand that you may be banned. And yes, this is completely subjective on my part. So be careful where you step from this moment forward. And this is your one and only warning. And no, I’m not up for a debate.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 22nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Jason
Your brain should be banned from the keyboard
Godzilla V Mothra
December 22nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Any stealing of somebody else’s screen name will result in banning. This is your one and only warning.
So we have to trademark screen names here? I agree with the bulk of what you write here, but that is the most absurd thing this year. I bet there is more than one person with the names Jim, Bob, Steve, Ralph……And even Jeff.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 22nd, 2012
8:04 pm
Maybe I should read the column before commenting.
Macon Fan
December 22nd, 2012
8:04 pm
Got a roaring fire in the fireplace. Got the big screen ready to switch to ESPN (The Falcon Haters), got some chili on the stove, got some cheese dip and chips, and of course, a glass of Christmas cheer.
Lets do this thing. Let CJ set a record next week.
™
December 22nd, 2012
8:05 pm
I’m safe now
Jason
December 22nd, 2012
8:05 pm
THANK YOU JEFF!!! Please ban Choke…your blog would be better for it! Believe me
phil
December 22nd, 2012
8:06 pm
I accomplished my first apparent banning courtesy of the homer, Chip Towers. Apparently he grew tired of my anger over how Georgia blew it against Bama….
Banned for being exceedingly vociferous….oh well!
Hate to tell ya, Chip, but you’re not really worth reading anyway.
Quicherbichin
December 22nd, 2012
8:06 pm
The blog would be a much better place with Choke banned… Ha ha! LOL
DawgNole
December 22nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 22nd, 2012
7:53 pm
30-24 48-21 24-2 is not a road, it’s a dog gone valley
________________________
Let’s see, Vick . . . “dog gone.” Yeah, I get it.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 22nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Good night Schultz.
Am I banned from saying that as well?
Didn’t realize you were a licensed mind reader, nor did I know
that you let others dictate your actions or character. Enjoy
your biased blogs, but it still won’t change the fact that
CHOKE is 0-3 in the playoffs.
™
December 22nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Steve Young shops at Goodwill?
JSS
December 22nd, 2012
8:08 pm
^^^^^^^
Funny, and he doesn’t understand might be following him out the door…
Jason
December 22nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Get lost Choke. Please curl up, go to sleep, and never, ever wake up.
goFalcons
December 22nd, 2012
8:08 pm
DON’T BAN CHOKE, HE IS A CATFISH, LIKE THE MOVIE “CATFISH” HE KEEPS IT LIVELY ON HERE.
Flacons need 2 cut Perrier Jerry
December 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Flacons need 2 sigh QB from the Jets that I cant say or I will get band.
phil
December 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Amen, Macon Fan!
As for Choke, the guy is harmless, Jeff. Pathetic, yes, but harmless.
45ACP
December 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Is there a full moon or what? I see the haters are out in full force. Our Atlanta Falcons can make a big statement tonight with a win. Super Bowl goes through Atlanta. Go Falcons!
Bring back Jim Donnan
December 22nd, 2012
8:10 pm
Earlier someone asked the temperature in Detroit – Wouldn’t that be 72? in the dome….just say’n
The Nature Boy
December 22nd, 2012
8:10 pm
I usually just read the posts and drink my beer and root for the dawgs, falcons and braves…..but I gotta give jeff a ….WHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! that choke guy is as annoying as diarrhea……
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
8:10 pm
Flacons never learn — While you’re at it, be sure to tell my bosses that you also use multiple screen names.
goFalcons
December 22nd, 2012
8:11 pm
I am ready for this game!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped up for this game, I can only imagine how the Falcons feel!
Jason
December 22nd, 2012
8:11 pm
I get the feeling Matt Ryan is about to turn into a monster in the NFL. He’s about to enter than upper echelon of the elite. We may have a Hall of Famer on our hands guys. Just enjoy the ride. Greatest QB in Atlanta Falcons history MATT RYAN! Only 13.6% of Matt Ryan’s passes were off target this season. OFF TARGET. (Best in the NFL).
Macon Fan
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Is there a full moon or what?
First quarter. You got a window?
J.J.M.
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
lmao jeff calling everyone out tonight
phil
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Jason is drunk already…
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Godzilla V Mothra (and others) — Any time you or somebody else sees that your screen name was stolen (generally by somebody who just wants to make you look bad), send me an email: jschultz@ajc.com. I’ll take it from there.
Samuel
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Let’s get the party started!!!
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Glad I’m only Slightly Loved by Schultz………LOL
Not a Full Moon just some posters have been home all day drinking while the wives or their mothers have been shopping.
Camaro Bob
December 22nd, 2012
8:14 pm
And I have more then 1 pairs of undewrware
JSS
December 22nd, 2012
8:14 pm
(Waking up from my slumber induced by pure drivel) Oh, I thought the D3 blog just broke out here?
DawgNole
December 22nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan – You know my policy on banning generally is limited to matters pertaining to race, profanity, etc. But I’m considering expanding the criteria just for you. So while you’re welcome to be critical of somebody or something, if the only purpose of you commenting on a blog is to stir up trouble and provoke a response (or responses), understand that you may be banned. And yes, this is completely subjective on my part. So be careful where you step from this moment forward. And this is your one and only warning. And no, I’m not up for a debate.
_______________________
Bless your bones, Jeff. This one’s been a long time coming. I think it’s clear from the general feedback of the posters on that there are legitimate reasons for banning him. You have liberal blog policies, and I think most of us are grateful for that. I know I certainly am. But when you see this many people calling out a poster repeatedly for his racist, inflammatory comments, I believe it’s worth a second look. Thanks for taking that step.
goFalcons
December 22nd, 2012
8:15 pm
give me the duo Julio jones and Roddy White over Calvin Johnson any day of the week!!!!!
Quicherbichin
December 22nd, 2012
8:15 pm
I miss CHOKE like I’d miss a toothache.
™
December 22nd, 2012
8:15 pm
I have thicker skin than most, so someone using my screen name does not bother me,.,…..In fact, I consider it flattering.
Michael M.
December 22nd, 2012
8:16 pm
Let choke play Jeff ………….he isn’t a pain, he doesn’t hurt nobody…………we know how to deal with it………………..
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 22nd, 2012
8:17 pm
Watched the NFL Greatest Games last night and it was the Chandler led Falcons beating the Vikings. I’ve been waiting all day for a good game. The Bowl games were OK but nothing I really cared about.
45ACP
December 22nd, 2012
8:17 pm
A rhetorical question….get it.
JSS
December 22nd, 2012
8:18 pm
phil…
Any criticism of Ryan is automatically: “you’re a racist, a Vick supporter (what happened to him?), or “Hater.”
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 22nd, 2012
8:18 pm
Zach Klein is CHOKE.
Jason
December 22nd, 2012
8:19 pm
Hopefully we won’t hear from Choke for a long time. I just wish Jeff would ban him. He’s annoying. Nobody enjoys this blog because of him. This blog is really for fans to discuss and enjoy the game together, not for trolls coming on here to provoke a response. Just my opinion.
JSS
December 22nd, 2012
8:19 pm
Oh I forgot the best one, a Saints fan… (RME)
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 22nd, 2012
8:19 pm
I love to poke fun as much as the next guy but CHOKE just tries to start a blog fight and not a discussion with good facts or opinion. It is just name calling.
LDawg
December 22nd, 2012
8:20 pm
I love the Falcons and the Dawgs – but I never troll any other teams’ blogs, if they have any. Why should I bother? Obviously Choke can’t find his team’s blog which is why he has to come to this one…GO FALCONS!!
goFalcons
December 22nd, 2012
8:20 pm
98 Soto was the best team in NFL history, the turnover right before half changed that game. Soto was owning us but the Mighty Falcons did it! IT will always be my favorite game in all of sports. GOOOOOOOO FALCONS
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 22nd, 2012
8:22 pm
Want the falcon to win but I do want Calvin Johnson to Break RICE’S Record this year. He needs to have a good game just not a great game.
DawgNole
December 22nd, 2012
8:22 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 22nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Good night Schultz.
Am I banned from saying that as well?
Didn’t realize you were a licensed mind reader, nor did I know
that you let others dictate your actions or character. Enjoy
your biased blogs, but it still won’t change the fact that
CHOKE is 0-3 in the playoffs.
___________________________
Good riddance!
YOU dictated his actions with your constant race-baiting, hatred, and lies.
Michael M.
December 22nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Ballgame starting in a few …………….Falcons draw first blood via 7 points…………………..
phil
December 22nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Beating Minnesota in OT to win the NFC that year remains the high water mark.
What a great win.
Time to top it.