More kudos for the Falcons: Is it all too much too soon?
It was just a year ago we weren’t sure the Falcons would win a game. Now they’re all the rage. From Mike Smith being ranked the league’s eighth-best coach by RealScouts to five Birds being listed among Peter Schrager’s top 99 NFL players on FoxSports.com to Roddy White being named the fourth-most indispensable player by Bill Barnwell of Football Outsiders …
And now this: Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com rates the Falcons’ coaches the best staff in the NFC South. Which, given that Sean Payton has taken New Orleans to the NFC title game and John Fox has led Carolina to the Super Bowl, is saying something.
And part of me thinks it’s great. It’s been a while since anybody had nice things to say about this franchise, and the folks in charge are good people. But another part of me — the part that says, “You know, this organization still hasn’t had consecutive winning seasons” — wonders if it’s too much too soon.
The 2008 Falcons were a delight because nothing, almost literally, was expected of them. The Sporting News, as we all recall, picked them to go 1-15. (I picked them to go 5-11 and felt charitable.) They went 11-5 and made the playoffs. But now the forecasts are for bigger and better, and the schedule is much tougher and …
Loading ...Have we ever spent a summer getting excited about the Falcons only to wind up in the gutter along the boulevard of broken dreams? Only about a dozen times.
I’m thinking it won’t happen this fall. I’m thinking this organization is too sound and this roster too gifted. But honesty compels me to report felt the same in 1999, when a team coming off a Super Bowl went 5-11 after Jamal Anderson hurt his knee; and in 2003, when the giddiness of the playoff win at Lambeau was lost once Michael Vick broke his ankle, and in 2005, when Jim Mora’s NFC runners-up started 6-2 and managed not to have that second consecutive winning season.
My head tells me these Falcons are different. But my gut keeps growling and saying, “Yeah, but they’re still the Falcons.” And here’s where I reach for the Rolaids.
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149 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
12:39 pm
I think this is the year, DB. But I thought that in 2005 when they were 6-2. (So did Jimbo Mora, I feel certain.)
SFC BRENT E. BAGLEY
June 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
I like this team, but we gotta overcome that ‘consecutive winning season’ hurdle before going on. Get me 9 wins, then we can start talking playoffs and beyond.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
I agree, Sarge. When/if the Falcons get Victory No. 9, they should drop confetti and haul out the champagne. That’s a massive hurdle for this organization, and it needs to be surmounted ASAP.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
1:17 pm
Bwaa Ha Ha!!!!! 12-4….that’s WHAT the Falcons will do!! WHY? Because they have the QB, the team and the coaching to do it!
Brian Hunt
June 24th, 2009
1:18 pm
I am very confident that the season will be a winning one. The schedule looks brutal, but I think that a couple of the NFC East teams are going to fall back to mediocrity (Redskins and Cowboys). I’m still not drinking the Dolphin or Bills’ Flavor-aid. I think this team will find a way to win 10 games.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
Who loves me so much to want to be me? Is it you VS2? Bigsleezy830?
DMac
June 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
We”ll be better but the Record worse. The Schedule is a beast….Most importantly we NEED Ryan Upright….
Ken Hoyer
June 24th, 2009
2:05 pm
How can everyone be so confident given the defense and leadership within that defense has been completely gutted? I certainly don’t expect the d to be better this season than last. Good for the long term, but not better than last season.
That means the offense needs to be substantially better to cover for the lack of defense. And add a tougher schedule to the mix, I think there record is more like the Vegas prediction, 8-8. And that’s assuming no great amount of injuries.
Someone please talk me out of this…
JB
June 24th, 2009
2:13 pm
7-9……….Defense and schedule……no one will blow us out….we will score on anybody……..
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
2:14 pm
I’m thinking 10-6, tops. But don’t hold me to that.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
2:40 pm
I may be a stupid guy sometimes, but I think we are just wishing for a winning season so bad, we think it will be so.
I don’t know what all the praise is for the offense either. Think about it – this is the same offense from 2007, with the exception of Mike Turner.
Playing against the 9th easiest schedule, you should score points, but when the team played against the tough defenses like the Eagles, Tampa Bay, etc, we barely scored touch downs. Denver’s defense was horrible and the team lost.
Therefore, don’t be fooled thinking this is a high powered offense. When you play the 3rd toughest schedule and the defense masters on those teams watch all the Ryan film, that offense will look very ordinary at best. That’s the good news. The bad news is the other teams will put up 30 points on a regular basis.
That Vegas prediction was an optimistic outlook.
I may be stupid but this team may be like the 2007 team.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
Have two winning seasons in a row and then I’ll perk up.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
Ken Hoyer – give it a minute and Ken Strickland will talk you out of it. He has me convinced our D will be much better already. I can’t wait for training camp.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Here Ken Hoyer is a repost of Ken Strickland’s to help you out of that funk:
Ken Strickland
June 17th, 2009
8:14 pm
It appears a lot of you are still concerned about our DEF. Well, don’t be, and here’s why(I posted this on another site).
(1) Departed DT GJackson will be replaced by one of two leading candidates, TLewis or PJerry. Both are younger, quicker, faster, more agile, mobil and aggressive, with pass rushing skills. HOW CAN ANYONE NOT SEE THOSE ATTRIBUTES AS IMPROVEMENTS.
(2) If DE JAnderson impreves his pass rushing skills, he’ll likely retain his starting status and that will definitely be an improvement over last yr. If he doesn’t, DE CDavis will take over. I SEE THAT AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
(3) OLB MPeterson has always been considered quicker, faster and more physical than departed OLB KBrooking. Although he’s lost a step or two, he’s still considered a slight upgrade over Brooking. Last yr, OLB CWire replaced OLB MBoley, who struggled trying to fit our DEF system. OLB SNicholas will most likely replace CWire because he’s quicker, faster and more versatile. I SEE THAT AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
(4) SS LMalloy replacement will likely be either TDeCoud, AHarris or WMoore. All are quicker, faster and more versatile than Malloy and can cover far more of the field and drastically inprove our overall secondary play. THAT’S A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT.
(5) Departed CB DFoxworth will likely be replaced by either BGrimes, VHutchins, CJackson or COwens. While none of this CB’s is as good and/or experienced as Foxworth, I don’t think there will be any dropoff in performance because of 2 factors. 1-the improvement in the overall play and support of our SS, compared to last yr. 2-the vast improvement we’ll see in our pass rush will make it a lot easier than it was for Foxworth. I SEE THIS AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
All of these improvements will have a positive effect on the overall performances of established starters like FS EColeman, DT JBabineaux, DE JAbraham, CB CHouston and MLB CLofton. This yrs DEF will definitely be much better than last yrs, from day one. However, it will take time for it to become as dominant as the overall talent suggests it can and will become.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
3:56 pm
I didn’t Ken Strictland was a paid sports analyst
Is this the same Ken Strictland that predicted the Falcons would destroy the Tampa team on the 1st meeting and the Falcons didn’t even get into the end zone.
So if Ken makes a prediction, I would bet on the opposite.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Didn’t say he was an expert just enough to give hope/cheer up…
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
4:28 pm
Besides the “Experts” said we would win 1 game last year.
dave
June 24th, 2009
5:35 pm
As a Falcons fan since Nobis, Bradley nailed exactly how I feel. I find myself daydreaming and wondering …. “Which key player is going to get hurt and prevent back to back winning seasons?” Even without a major injury, with a tougher schedule, the loss of “underestimated underdog” status and an unproven defense, 8-8 might be realistic … and the no-back-to-back-winning-seasons streak continues.
I’ll still love ‘em, though.
dave
Vick Supporter
June 24th, 2009
5:39 pm
Lol, you people talk about Vick every article,lol. And you people say that Vick never did anything here.
Vick Supporter
June 24th, 2009
6:30 pm
My life sucks, when you guys have a favorite team to root for I’ll be stuck watching Ron Mexico play in the UFL. Talking crap to Falcons fans is how I get through the day… I hate my life
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
6:33 pm
Is this what Falcon fans have come to? “Back-to-back winning seasons”.
Proud organizations are more concerned about “playoff wins”. Who cares if you make it to the playoffs and choke?
Vick never had back-to-back winning seasons, but in 4-full seasons as a starter he managed to land Brett Favre his first loss in the playoffs at home and lead the team again to a playoff win and a championship game appearance.
So you people have a losing mentality if the first word out of your mouth is “just give me back-to-back winning seasons”.
That’s pathetic
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
6:41 pm
Okay it’s true Matty Ice can’t out run a snail…..
True he would have sucked without Mike Turner………
True he choked in the playoffs………..
True Joe Flacco was the true “ROY”……….
True Joe Flacco was the first rookie to win 2 playoff games
True my red zone percentage was in the 20s…………
True it took me 5 years of college to learn a play book…..
True my deep ball is 20 yards…………
But he is still my hero because I’m pathetic and a loser
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 24th, 2009
6:52 pm
VICK NEVER HAD BACK-TO-BACK WINNING SEASONS, BUT…..
HE MANAGED TO LAND BRETT FAVRE HIS FIRST LOSS IN THE PLAYOFFS AT HOME
OH YEAH, AND A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME “APPEARANCE”
NOT A WIN, JUST AN “APPEARANCE”
AND IT WAS ONLY LIKE….UM, LET ME THINK….5 0R 6 YEARS AGO
WHERE IS MIKE VICK’S CONTRACT?
ARTIE BLANK SEEMS TO HAVE MISPLACED IT!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 24th, 2009
7:01 pm
MIKE VICK’S STATS FROM CHAMPIONSHIP GAME “APPEARANCE ONLY”
O TD……….2 INT……….58.4 RATING
I CAN’T BELIEVE MATT RYAN HAS A NFL CONTRACT AND VICK DOESN’T!!
SC
June 24th, 2009
7:58 pm
How many quality quarterbacks will the Falcons be facing this season? Let’s see: Pennington, Delhomme, Brady, Cutler, Romo, Brees, Manning, and McNabb. Ten games total versus this group.
I’d say that a winning season this year absolutely requires a much-improved pass defense.
Jack
June 24th, 2009
8:27 pm
I am with you, MB. They need to put up or shut up…Get the monkey off their back and stomp it !!!!
Jack
June 24th, 2009
8:35 pm
BTW,
Was that not a PATHETIC site? (AB rolling YKW around, in the wheelchair)
confederated Falcon lost in space
June 24th, 2009
9:09 pm
The media is pumping the Falcon. they will be luckly to win 8 game. hom many time has the Falcons brass tryed to win with offense. what good is scoreing 30 point and still lose. they should have went frist two rounds for defense last year an this year. Fools gold in ofense watch and see!! loser with all the media hype!!
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
9:11 pm
SC – Good post!
Fred
June 25th, 2009
7:19 am
Are the Falcons still trying to sell tickets? Its almost July!! Apparently not many people care one way or the other WHAT the Buzzards will do! LOL
Former Season Ticket Holder
June 25th, 2009
7:20 am
HA! When is that Midtown Touchdown again?
Mitch
June 25th, 2009
7:34 am
Whatt!!! go get a life and and job and post to another blog. Get out of your mom’s basement. Take off your Spider Man pajamas and go get a job. You’re pathetic. I’m going to work and earn a living for my wife and 3 sons.
rob
June 25th, 2009
8:20 am
The defense will be much improved this year..Sure they are young and inexperienced but hungry..The coaching staff will mold the into a decent and effective unit..
ctfalconsfan
June 25th, 2009
8:43 am
I’m always excited going into another Falcons season regardless of the previous season’s outcome.
I had high expectations going into the 99, 03, 05 and even 06 season and all 4 were disappointing but hey our luck has to change, we have to have back to back winning seasons at some point so hopefully it’s this year!!
I’m especially excited about this season as living in CT will allow me to attend the Falcons/Pats game and both ATL games in NJ. Toss in a New Year’s down in Tampa and that will be 4 away games and probably 2 home games in the GA DOME!!
GOD BLESS the ATLANTA FALCONS and GD the other 31 teams..
Dee
June 25th, 2009
9:04 am
Mark Bradley: Ghostwriter for Terrance Moore
Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
9:13 am
Julius Peppers back to Carolina. How do we feel about that? (Me, I say he’s way overrated. But maybe that’s just me.)
JWW
June 25th, 2009
10:38 am
Sara always cheers me up with her positive stuff. Some of you other folks need a hug or a drink or an enema or something. Try this possible future…
8-8, win the division, go deeper in the playoffs. So we didn’t get that back-to-back monkey off our backs, but our team as a whole got a lot more experience playing together. Then in 2010 we start a run of back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons, a la Peyton Manning and his bunch.
I know we are a microwave society, but what’s with the sudden pressure to win,win now,now? How about a Super Bowl in 2 years from now? What, ya just can’t wait that long??? lol
After looking at perennial losers for 4 decades (with a sprinkle of good teams here and there), I can certainly wait a year (if necessary) for Matt and Company to bring us a ring or three. If they do it this year, then all the hype was justified. If not, whatever. Our future is bright.
ProFootballTalk.com - Thursday Morning One-Liners
June 25th, 2009
10:42 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wonders if the Falcons are getting too many kudos too soon. [...]
Unca' Bob
June 25th, 2009
10:59 am
MB,
Over paid, too. He made $11.735 Mil in 2008. John Abraham made 6 Mil
dwayne
June 25th, 2009
11:36 am
Atl’s D is a concern. Lets see if Dimitroff got the right people, and Mike Smith can work some magic.
Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
11:39 am
I’d rather have Abraham. Provided he (all together now) can stay healthy.
falconfanshane
June 25th, 2009
12:17 pm
Avoid the injury bug and make it through murders row of a schedule and 10-6 and a wild card is there. Give Matty Ice another shot in the playoffs and look out ! One major injury (Ryan, Turner, White, Abraham) and below .500 will probably be the outcome. But it is nice as a fan to have a capable playoff caliber team to root for. It is no longer embarrassing to say I am a falcon fan !
OpenMinded
June 25th, 2009
1:04 pm
Mark– showing the photo of Mr. Blank pushing MV is over the top…really a bad shot…Petrino would have been better…Mr. Blank deserves better than that.
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
1:05 pm
12-4
Sarah B
June 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
real What!!! no worries we knew you were hijacked yesterday!
Marty Foreman
June 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
I’m going to comment on the post by MightyQuinn:
June 24th, 2009
7:01 am
“I’m sure this is a good offensive team. I’m NOT sure how they will do with the much tougher schedule this year, and a pretty much completely retooled defense. I’m thinking we will be in a lot of offensive shootouts. And the addition of Gonzales at TE makes me feel better about that. I would feel even better if we could reduce the number of carries for Turner (I believe we ran Jamal into the ground) by getting another durable back to share the load. I am hoping Smith will show that he was a great defensive coordinator and surprise us all with the D.”
I add, well said, Mighty Quinn! I too think that the grat Michael Turner needs to have less carries (something more realistic and less damaging to his body for the late haul of the season) per game! I believe that (hope I’m right) TD and Mike “know” that our D will be greatly improved. I also know that everyone is right about “the back-to-back curse” on the Falcons but I also believe that this “curse” can and will be broken by a top shelf organnization which is constantly evaluating and adding more talented pieces to the overall goal-puzzle, which is a consistantly solid team able to make a SB run in any given year!
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
2:09 pm
Thank you Sarah B. I’ve been a fan to long to be confused with that jerk.
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
Yes I live in my Mom’s basement.
Sure I don’t care if Matty Ice chokes.
Sure I know Joe Flacco is better.
I’m just lucky to get 3 meals a day.
Go Falcons!
mars
June 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
I was under the impression that the Falcons played against NFL teams in all 16 games last season. But this years schedule is “different.” Oh, NO! We have to play against NFL teams in all 16 games this year! Give me a break guys! Any given Sunday, right?
mars
June 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
In the past, crappy Falcons teams have hammered high flying Cowboys and 49ers teams. It happens. Wanna know why? Every single Sunday our boys line up against the best football players in the Universe. The difference between a “soft” schedule and a “hard” schedule in the NFL has to do with preparation and application. Let that sink into the “soft” material under your “hard” skulls.