The 2009 Falcons: A slow start yields to a furious finish
Good news: The team is accustomed to its coaches, and vice versa. Bad news: The schedule is much more difficult. Good news: The defense is faster. Bad news: The defense is younger. What will it all mean for the 2009 Falcons? Something like this:
Miami, Sept. 13: The first pass of Matt Ryan’s first season went for a touchdown. The second pass of his second season will do likewise. This won’t become a negative until he’s as old as George Blanda. Falcons 27, Dolphins 17.
Carolina, Sept. 20: Here’s what we private detectives call a red herring. The Panthers come to the Dome, exploit the Falcons’ remade secondary and lay early claim to the NFC South title. Panthers 23, Falcons 17.
At New England, Sept. 27: Speaking of an exploited secondary, here come Messrs. Brady and Moss and Welker, and there go 41 big fat points up on the ol’ Foxborough scoreboard. Patriots 41, Falcons 14.
At San Francisco, Oct. 11: The Falcons come off their bye and begin to put things right. And didn’t the annual trip to San Fran used to be a nightmare? What happened to the Niners, anyway? Falcons 30, 49ers 17.
Chicago, Oct. 18: New quarterback in Chi, as you’ve doubtless heard. Won’t matter. The Bears still haven’t gotten over those final 11 seconds from last season, and now Jason Elam does it again. Falcons 23, Bears 20.
At Dallas, Oct. 25: Not much in-between with the Cowboys. Depending on the observer, Dallas is either a Super Bowl team or NFL’s the most overrated club. It won’t look overrated this day. Cowboys 28, Falcons 20.
At New Orleans, Nov. 2: When last the Falcons played on Monday night in the Superdome, they were overwhelmed in the Katrina Game. They won’t be overwhelmed this time. They won’t win, either. Saints 31, Falcons 24.
Washington, Nov. 8: The Falcons are under .500 and are 0-2 in the NFC South, which makes this a gut check. It will also be the game on which the season turns. Defense starts to grow up. Falcons 31, Redskins 14.
At Carolina, Nov. 15: The Falcons weren’t better than the Panthers in September, but they are now. They’ll win a massive road game and serve notice that the division title is still within their reach. Falcons 23, Panthers 17.
Loading ...At New York Giants, Nov. 22: Boy, the schedule just won’t let up, will it? The Falcons give the NFC’s best team a royal scare, but the noise and the cold and the opponent prove too tough. Giants 24, Falcons 20.
Tampa Bay, Nov. 29: Don’t look now, but the schedule is about to ease, just in time. The Falcons nose back above .500 with a comprehensive win over the club that dumped Jon Gruden. Falcons 30, Buccaneers 14.
Philadelphia, Dec. 6: Let’s assume this one’s sold out. Let’s assume this gets moved to Sunday night. Let’s assume Michael Vick not only plays but scores the winning touchdown. Eagles 27, Falcons 24.
New Orleans, Dec. 13: It’s starting to coalesce — offense, defense, Mike Smith’s pregame speech. The Falcons bear only slight resemblance to the team of September, and that’s good! Falcons 33, Saints 20.
At New York Jets, Dec. 20: Back to the Meadowlands for a much easier assignment. The Jets are OK, but they’re not the Giants. And the Falcons, bang on cue, are really rumbling. Falcons 23, Jets 14.
Buffalo, Dec. 27: Confetti drops from the ceiling two days after Christmas. The Falcons clinch a second consecutive winning season for the first time ever. Only took 43 years. Falcons 30, Bills 17.
At Tampa Bay, Jan. 3: Two days after Georgia wins the Outback Bowl in Raymond James Stadium, the Falcons win the NFC South. They finish 10-6 and head to the playoffs. Wasn’t easy, though. Falcons 28, Buccaneers 13.
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
145 comments Add your comment
JEM
August 21st, 2009
4:33 pm
Can you say UNDEFEATED? BELEIVE IT!
Fish Bisch
August 21st, 2009
4:43 pm
i’m feeling it JEM woot!
Barry
August 21st, 2009
4:46 pm
HEY Y’ALL:
THE FUTURE LOOKS MORE THAN BRIGHT FOR OUR FALCONS. WE HAVE A GREAT OWNER, GREAT COACHES, AND SOME REAL YOUNG, TALENTED, NASTY PLAYING, FOOTBALL PLAYERS. WE “SHOCKED THE WORLD’ LAST YEAR WITH THIS GROUP. AND THIS YEAR, WITH THE “NEW EDITIONS”, THESE FALCONS ARE GOING TO BE NASTIER THAN EVER. THE PHILOSOPHY AND VISION FOR THIS TEAM IS INTACT. THE PLAYERS HAVE BOUGHT. THE FANS HAVE BOUGHT INTO IT. AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BOUGHT INTO IT. THISD SEASON IWLL BE A DOG FIGHT. AND, “ONE GAME AT A TIME”, THESE FALCONS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE NAYSAYERS “EATING CHEESE’ JUST LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR. SOME PEOPLE ARE “RESISTANT TO CHANGE” EVEN THE NAYSAYERS. BUT “CHANGE HAS COME TO THE ATLANTA FALCONS. THERE WILL BE SOME BUTT KICKING BEING DONE BY OUR FALCONS FOR YEARS TO COME. SOME SAY HOW? SOME SAY WHY/ ISAY BECAUSE WE HAVE NO PREMODONAS ON THIS TEAM THAT TAKES AWAY FROM THE TEAM COMCEPT THAT IS NOW EMPLOYED BY THE ATLANTA FALCONS. THESE GUYS ARE MANAGING AND COACHING IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” FASHION. THEY FUNCTION AS A TEAM. THEY COVER EACH OTHER AS A TEAM. THE COACH AS A TEAM. AND THEY PLAY AS A TEAM. THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE. WE HAVE STARS, BUT THEY BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER AND FUNCTION AS A TEAM. THEY ARE NOT “INDIVIDUALIST”. WE HAVE SEEN THOSE KIND IN ATLANTA AND IT DOES NOT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. THEREFORE, KUDOS TO ARTHUR BLANK, RICH MCKAY, THOMAS DIMITROFF, MIKE SMITH AND HIS COACHING STAFF, AND OF COURSE, THE PLAYERS OF THE ATLANTA FALCONS. WE, AS FANS ARE DOWN WITH YOU. AND AS YOU GUYS COVER FOR EACH OTHER, WE , AS FANS, ARE COVERING FOR YOU IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. BRING ON THE “NAYSAYERS” WHO INFILTRATE THESE BLOGS. BY YEAR END, THEY WILL BE EATING CHEESE. THEY WILL BE EATING SO MUCH CHEESE THEY ARE GOINGTO CHOKE IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. THEREFORE, ONE GAME AT A TIME, WE WILL WATCH OUR FALCONS FLY. WE ARE NOT PLAYING WITH NOBODY. WE OWE THE TEAMS IN THIS LEAGUE FOR THE DISRESPECT OVER IN OUR DOWN TIMES. WE ARE MORE THAN READY FOR THE CHALLENGE. WE ARE REVAMP FOR THE SEASON AND READY TO TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SUPER BOWLS FOR A LONG TIME TO CAOME. CHANGE HAS COME TO ATLANTA. CHANGE HAS COME IN SEEING REAL FOOTBALL AND CHAMPIONSHIPS RIGHT HERE ON OUR DOOR STEPS.
ACCEPT IT, RECEIVE IT, AND ENJOY IT. WE HAVE ARRIVED. AND WE HAVE ARRIVED IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”.
GO FUTURE CHAMPIONS OF THE NFL!!
GO FALCONS!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS A SECRET FROM A FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………..”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!!…………….
RINGOLD
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
4:48 pm
JEM……..I’ll take you up on that also! 16-0!!!!
Trainwreck
August 21st, 2009
4:55 pm
90th! I agree with 10-6… but we beat the Cowboys and lose to the Redskins because that black hole in the middle is sucking up all possible running lanes… Also I just want to see Turner truck Brooking one good time… maybe twice… maybe 21 times… something like that.
Trainwreck
August 21st, 2009
4:55 pm
or um… 105th!
SWAT Native
August 21st, 2009
5:02 pm
@ Terrell,
So, the red jersey, white pants, and black helmet combination works better for you?
"Mr. Falcon"
August 21st, 2009
5:24 pm
FILLED….. EDUCATE YOUR SELF!
Amazing, I had no idea the Falcons won the AFC South.
Honestly, I always liked watching Vick play football. He was fun to watch, but he NEVER cared about winning games. He is not that kind of player. He deserves a second chance, but everyone has the right to be skeptical about his character. He electrocuted, beat and drowned dogs because they cost him thousands of dollars. “Thousands of dollars”, This guy was worth over a hundred million dollars. He is obviously not wired right, but I wish him the nothing but the best.
Mark,
I can’t see the Falcons losing to the Eagles in the dome. Especially after what happened to them last year in Philly.
I also think we can beat the Cowboys.
We always beat the Giants in New York
I also can’t see Carolina winning in the dome this year.
I really like these throwbacks. They look great, all the way down to the socks. The retro version of the 66 helmet is really mean.
Michael#2
August 21st, 2009
6:11 pm
I’m going to guess the Falcons will finish a very surprising 13-3 after staring 3-0. Have home field advantage in the playoffs and play the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan will be the Super bowl MVP – and Tony Gonzales will score the winning touchdown! How nice would that be!
A Realist
August 21st, 2009
6:12 pm
The Falcons are going to win a few of the games that the analysts are predicting that they might lose, e.g., Carolina, Philadelphia, etc. Subsequently they WILL HAVE a winning season this year and then hopefully all the haters can then go post their negative bull@*%& on some other team’s blog other than the Falcons’ blog.
Vick is NO LONGER PLAYING IN THIS CITY…..SO JUST LET IT GO!!!!! OR…..BETTER YET, GO POST ON THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER’S OR THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS’ SPORTS BLOGS. They do have them and if you can read you’ll find out that the City of Brotherly Love is not quite all welcoming Vick with open arms…Brotherly Love NOT!!!!
Brent S.
August 21st, 2009
6:53 pm
To: Falcons Sorry
Subject: GET OVER YOURSELF!! and live with the rest of the Falcons world in the NOW!!! Yes, I loved watching Vick play as well. No one cheered louder than I did when he would scramble for a TD or just make something happened. But you forget one little thing…HE COMMITTED A FELONY!!!!!!! Dog fighting is a crime in 48 states, including the one he was in doing it. My gosh Vick lovers…enough already!! I hope he gets his life back together, but it won’t be and SHOULDN’T be in Atlanta. Vick screwed, himself, this city, his team, owner (by lying to his face), and MOSTof all–US THE FANS, that invested emotionally into the team. I figure, if a ROOKIE QB can come in here and take a 4-12 team to an 11-5 record, to the playoffs, and be voted AP Rookie of the Year, then he’s already done WAY MORE than expected or anticipated.
Also, here’s an interesting stat for you:
In 2001, the Falcons went 7-9. In Vicks FULL starting season (2002), the Falcons went 9-6-1.
Fast forward to 2007: Falcons go 4-12 in 2007 (on the heels of Vick getting busted), Matt Ryan comes in, has the year he did, and the Falcons are 11-5.
So Vick only improved the team TWO games better than in 2001.
Matt Ryan improved the team SEVEN games better than in 2007, which Vick was partially responsibly for. So the results are obvious…Ryan is a better QB than Vick!!!
FALCONS SORRY
August 21st, 2009
7:13 pm
I VISITED VICK SINCE HE HAS BEEN OUT OF PRISON AND I GOT TO SAY HE’S GOT THE SWEETEST JUICE I EVER TASTED. HE SHOOTS IT JUST LIKE HE THROWS A FOOTBALL LONG AND HARD:)
OldTimer
August 21st, 2009
7:28 pm
12.4
Dolphins (win)
Panthers (win)
Patriots (loss)
49ers (win)
Bears (win)
Cowboys (loss)
Saints (win)
Redskins (win)
Panthers (win)
Giants (loss)
Bus (win)
Eagles (win)
Saints (win)
Jets (win)
Bills(win)
Bucs(loss)
Ken Strickland
August 21st, 2009
7:32 pm
The Saints and Panthers couldn’t handle our OFF in the 2nd meeting with both teams, and we soundly defeated both teams. We’re going to be much stronger on both OFF and DEF, so I don’t see them beating us. The Saints DEF finished one slot ahead of ours and compared to us, they did very little in the off season to correct their DEF problems. Our style of OFF can keep their high powered passing OFF on the sidelines.
Carolina still has JDelhomme as their QB, and their rushing DEF finished only 5 slots ahead of ours. These are the only 2gms I have issues with. I actually see our DEF coming together after our bye week.
Ken Strickland "STFU"
August 21st, 2009
9:53 pm
You know nothing!
Say it with me:
August 21st, 2009
10:06 pm
Grimes is still not tall enough.
Timboy6
August 22nd, 2009
10:34 am
I think “Falcons Sorry” is baiting everybody. Surely he’s not that big of an idiot!
WHAT UP!!!
August 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
Thanks Vick for been the idiot you are and doing what you did that got you out of Atlanta. We have a real football team know. Again……..thanks.
Bad News
August 22nd, 2009
11:30 am
Let me get this straight. Lose against an 0-16 team and barely survive a second embarrassment against a 2-12 team.
How do you expect to compete against the likes of New England, Redskins, Philly, etc?
Delupe
August 22nd, 2009
11:37 am
Win at Buffalo in late December…I don’t think so!!
bigeasy830
August 22nd, 2009
1:53 pm
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009.
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
Dennis
August 22nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Brent Grimes is totally useless. If he did a single thing right in last night’s game, I didn’t see it.
Paddy
August 22nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Falcon Sorry is a white guy. Don’t you get it?
kj
August 22nd, 2009
11:55 pm
Man, sorry im late. hopefully someone gets a good read out of these articles. Just an honest comparison from 7 and 2’s first playoff games. Not really going to change anyone’s mind but a fun read nonetheless. Hopefully it will shed some insight on the two at that stage of their career.
7- http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-vickflashback071909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
2-http://bleacherreport.com/articles/101767-hes-only-a-rookie-matt-ryan-impresses-in-playoff-debut
Q
August 23rd, 2009
10:27 am
Good Lawd!!!
Mike Vick has moved on, so why won’t you guys??? Fans and non fans.
Those calling others racist surely are the furthest thing from racist themselves, right?
I sincerely hope that all of you are equally outraged that a player who killed another HUMAN only got 24 days in jail.
Sheesh!!
Shug
August 23rd, 2009
10:51 am
I say 13-3, Falcons beat New England, Dallas, and Philly.
Amy
August 23rd, 2009
10:55 am
Dallas is way over-rated.
Good Grief
August 23rd, 2009
11:20 am
I’d say a 10 to 11 win season sounds about right – Anything less than 9 wins would be surprising to me. I have a few different scores down, but other than that we’re just about on the same page. I think you’re taking into consideration our defense far more than you did our offense. For example: the New England game – somebody already said this but that game could be a shootout and a lot closer.
From what I have seen of our offense this season we’ll be a team that other teams have to worry about outscoring because we should be able to put up a lot of points – scoring 28 pts. a game should be no problem for our team. For all we know, we may end up blowing quite a few teams out especially if our offense stays on the field soaking up time.
ByteMe
August 23rd, 2009
11:24 am
Mark, you’re likely right on the final tally, but definitely will be wrong on the first two games. The Dolphins’ D will give Ryan “happy feet” all day and they know how to control the ball when they have it. Carolina, on the other hand, has a terrible run defense, and the Falcons’ runners will put up some impressive numbers and handily beat them.
James
August 23rd, 2009
12:01 pm
Football Fans should compare the talent of Football Players.
The Double Standard legal system in this Country has nothing to do with Football.
Jay
August 23rd, 2009
2:15 pm
Atlanta the city to busy to hate. Some of the comments I’ve read, I just can’t tell. I guess hate is just in your blood. You must live in a perfect world.
Atl Hawk
August 23rd, 2009
2:26 pm
when will you people realize that you ae not the author or finisher if other people lives. your comments are just that…yours. and you can keep them if you want to. And people you ae not mad that he killed dogs, your because he got at least another million dollar contract while you have to scramble and pay your credit card bills as they keep coming every month. Thaty would make me mad to to see somebody I think is beneath me making more than me. I tell you what, try walking on at Flowery branch and see if you can make millions like him. Otherwise, go back to your pathetic little life and work harder. The more you talk about him is the time you could be getting into shape and on the field. Clearly he is not concerned about none of yall. Pay ya bills the best way you can. And speaking of bills delupe…they come here in December
Mark Bradley
August 23rd, 2009
11:23 pm
The Buffalo game is here, I believe.
Live from Flowery Branch, and I'm still a bit antsy | Mark Bradley
August 24th, 2009
11:13 am
[...] make a first down all season. I am, as you’ve gathered, a bit confused. I’m expecting this team to be good. I’m also expecting the other shoe to drop. I am, as ever, a nervous [...]
Ricky
August 25th, 2009
10:23 am
Yeah, I think MB is going to get surprised with some of these predictions. (I call it, we beat NE by one point) We had a relative injury free season last year, any marquee players get hurt this year we could be looking at .500 or worse. It is a seriously tough schedule. We are better in so many areas, faster (hope you do well in Dallas Kieth) and hungrier defense, more weapons on offense, special teams will excel. I am so over the Jamaal Anderson “experiment”. Tell me, is he the last to arrive for practice or the weight room and the first to leave? He has raw talent and skills but yet is the consumate underachiever. 2 sacks since being drafted #8 in the first round 2 years ago, are you serious? You would think all quarterbacks are left handed….!! I guess those 13.5 sacks in his senior season at Arkansas were a fluke. Somebody drug test that boy……..
Ricky
August 25th, 2009
10:25 am
Amy you are so correct………!!
M Anthony
August 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
Still so much hate for Mr Vick here. Whats the matter morons you lack confidence in your home team that you feel your oats by still bashing Mike. The mans gone, let it go. He is back in the NFL and doing something you clowns will never do. He is the show. Your haterization will sooner or later eat whats left of your little brain. Dang let it go.
Michael Vick Panthers | Chanel News | News | Breaking News | News Headlines | Latest News | World News | US News | Entertainment News | Daily News | News Channel | Sports News
August 30th, 2009
4:50 am
[...] takes the field today. So will animal advocates – on the other side of town. … The 2009 Falcons: A slow start yields to a furious finishLet's assume Michael Vick not only plays but scores the winning touchdown. Eagles 27, Falcons [...]
Bradley's Buzz: Peter King picks the Falcons, and woe is he! | Mark Bradley
September 7th, 2009
9:32 am
[...] for Industrious Pete today. Because he picked the Falcons to go 10-6 and win the NFC South — same as I did! And we know what that means, don’t [...]
Bradley's Buzz: Everybody (well, almost) loves the Falcons | Mark Bradley
September 9th, 2009
3:57 am
[...] preseason and was starting to think, “Maybe I overclubbed.” (I’d picked them to go 10-6 and win the NFC South.) But now I find I’m only one among many gushing pundits. To [...]
Bradley's Buzz: An invisible link regarding UGA's Carlton Thomas | Mark Bradley
September 14th, 2009
9:32 am
[...] I picked Carolina to beat the Falcons in Week 2! [...]
How Carolina might get it right against the Falcons | Mark Bradley
September 18th, 2009
2:07 am
[...] collectors of MB whiffs have already begun salivating over yet another on the horizon. Last month I picked Carolina to beat the Falcons in Week 2. This was before the Falcons bowed up — coaches are always exhorting their men to “bow [...]
Chattin' with Bradley: The rain, the Falcons and other things | Mark Bradley
September 20th, 2009
11:30 am
[...] why, then, did I pick the Panthers a month ago? Because, in the midst of the semi-alarming exhibition season, I didn’t think the [...]
Live from New England, and the head Dirty Bird is in the house! | Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2009
10:36 am
[...] pick the Pats. The Globe has it 27-21, the Herald 27-20. A month ago, this idiot correspondent picked New England to win 41-14, but that was at a time when the Falcons’ defense seemed suspect and when I was operating on [...]
Live from New York (sic), about to watch the other Big Blue! | Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
10:56 am
[...] had them 5-4 at this point, and the only part I got wrong was I had the results of the Carolina games flipped. I also had them [...]