Live from the Dome: It’s a Matty Ice anniversary!
Matt Ryan delivers against the Titans one year ago. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It was a year ago that the course of the Falcons changed. It was the third exhibition of the 2008 preseason that told the new administration what it had suspected since the April draft: That it could go with a rookie quarterback as its starter and get away with it.
We forget now, in the light of a rookie of the year award and a 11-5 season of the highest giddiness and even a playoff turn, how bold that decision was. The Falcons had drafted Michael Vick No. 1 overall in 2001, and he hadn’t started as a rookie. But this was a different time, a different rookie.
We look back and we see it as a no-brainer: You have Matt Ryan and you have Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley — who else are you going to start? But we forget how perilous the state of the Good Ship Falcon was in August 2008. They were widely projected as the NFL’s worst team, and they were coming off the most depressing season in the history of North American team sports. (Quarterback in jail, coach in the Ozarks, et cetera.)
It took guts just to draft Ryan No. 3 overall — the consensus, local and otherwise, held that Glenn Dorsey was the better choice — but it took more to say, “He’s our starter in Week 1 of Year 1.” NFL teams had all but gotten away from that, preferring to nurture, preferring to cover their assets in case a big-name draftee flopped. (Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, et alia.) But that’s why Matt Ryan wasn’t just a good pick: He was the perfect pick at the absolute proper moment.
We on the periphery looked on the Falcons’ unassuming offensive line — considered the NFL’s worst by some observers, lest we forget — and said knowingly, “Putting a rookie quarterback behind those blockers is just one more indication why the Falcons are bush league.” But the new Falcons had seen two things in mini-camp and then in summer drills that we outsiders couldn’t quite grasp.
1. That Matt Ryan was a different sort of rookie.
2. That this offensive line, under the tutelage of Paul Boudreau, could hold up its end.
We should never underrate the second part. Indeed, on the way into the Dome on the night of that third exhibition last year, Thomas Dimitroff told a reporter that the key to starting Ryan would be the Falcons first having convinced themselves internally they could protect him. The first two exhibitions had given them an indication, and the third — a 17-3 victory over Tennessee — was the clincher. Ryan threw 21 passes, completing 15. (Here’s my column from that night, if you’re so inclined.)
The Falcons named Ryan the starter the next day. He threw a touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins on his first delivery of the regular season. He took a frightful beating in the second week in Tampa Bay but played better in the second half than the first, and that was when the Falcons knew beyond all doubt they’d made the proper choice. The kid was a keeper. The kid was a kid by no measure other than age.
We forget now how major that decision was: Say the line had broken down and Ryan had thrown 32 interceptions — Peyton Manning did as a rookie — and the season after going 4-12 the Falcons had gone 3-13 and their No. 1 draft pick had been a first-year bust. Would we Atlantans have washed our hands of NFL football altogether?
We’ll never know. All we know is this: On Saturday night the Falcons were to play another third exhibition of another preseason, and there’s no reason to feel bad about them or their future or their brain trust. Or their quarterback.
(OK, folks. I’ll be here all night, chatting and cracking semi-wise. If you’d care to join me, I’d be obliged. It’d get mighty lonely in the big ol’ Dome without you.)
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511 comments Add your comment
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
7:02 pm
Bradley,
When I see Matt Ryan, and hear what people who actually know a thing or two about football (obviously, NOT Vick fans) have to say about Ryan, I can’t help but say that but for the lack of a marriage to the hottest woman in the world, Matt Ryan IS Tom Brady.
I mean, did you ever think Atlanta… ATLANTA… would ever have a Tom Brady? A Joe Montana?
I know, I know, I bury Ryan in hyperbole, but here’s the thing:
I could usually care less about the NFL, except for Tom Brady. My blood runs Red & Black (the Bulldog kind), and the NFL was always something to do on Sunday if I wasn’t working. Saturdays were always my day, until I was laid up in a hospital in Okinawa after having my second knee surgery and saw the magic of Tom Brady as he won his first Super Bowl.
I don’t have a true NFL allegiance to a team, but man, I have no problem admitting my man-crush on Brady. No matter what you think about his coach, Brady is the best QB in the NFL right now, and depending on how his career finishes, I believe he’ll be considered the best ever when all is said and done.
So when I see a lot of Tom Brady in Matt Ryan, I see the potential for greatness this city has never known in professional football in the person of Matt Ryan.
He makes my Sundays more fun.
haha
August 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
first
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:09 pm
I think it would be crazy to elevate Ryan to the same plateau as Brady just now, but I will say this: I was more impressed with Ryan last season than I was with Brady in 2001, when he replaced the injured Drew Bledsoe and led the Patriots to the Super Bowl upset of St. Louis.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:10 pm
Second, actually, Haha. But who’s counting?
Falcons Ticket Operator
August 29th, 2009
7:12 pm
Bugkiller, Vick is so far in your head you couldn’t even make a comment without referencing his name…LMAO!!!!
Tyler
August 29th, 2009
7:18 pm
Hows the new video boards looking mark?
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
7:18 pm
I’m at home here in the WNC mountains and just had a fright – I have been waiting for this game all week, knowing it was national tv and I could see it live, then I discovered Charlotte is at 8 on the local CBS. It was with great relief that I soon discovered the Spartanburg WB network channel is (scheduled to)show the Atlanta game – yes!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:20 pm
They look nice, Tyler. Not as nice as the 96-yard TV screen in Big D, but nice.
Goldenglove002
August 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
Mark, do you know what channel this is on? Gotta get my preset set so I can switch between this and the braves.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:25 pm
It’s on CBS, Goldenglove. Dan Fouts and Greg Gumbel will provide the vocal stylings.
bigeasy830
August 29th, 2009
7:28 pm
Bugkiller, before you put Matt Ryan on the level of 2 QBs that won multiple Super Bowls, he first need to win a play-off game, and you say Vick fans know nothing about football, hahahahahaha. Talk about a man crush, my goodness Bugkiller, sounds like if you could you would have Matt Ryan’s love child. And Mark Bradley, I bet you the Fans in New England will take that Super Bowl in 2001 over a over hyped season that Matt Ryan had. Tom Brady won it all, Matt Ryan won ROY and was one and done in the play-offs. Were you impressed with his 2 INTs in that play-off game against the Rams. HAHAHAHHAHA. Falcons Suck
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:31 pm
I was hugely impressed with everything Matt Ryan did last season. Hugely impressed. How could you not be?
George
August 29th, 2009
7:32 pm
Gearing up for another night of double subjects and run-on sentences. Let Mark Bradley in the broadcast booth!!
bigeasy830
August 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
One and done in the play-offs with 2 INTs, that is how you could not be. Brady was never one and done, Joe Montana was never one and done. Terry Bradshaw was never one and done and who was the starting QB of the Falcons that wore #7 a couple of years back? Him, that guy he was never one and done either.
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
You wouldn’t want that, George.
George
August 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
That’s right, tune in to CBS for their commentary with double subjects and run-on sentences. I still say let the sports writers do the broadcasts.
Brent S.
August 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
Hey Big Easy, go take a long walk off a short pier!!!! They ONLY reason that Ryan didn’t win that play-off game in Arizona, is b/c he had NO DEFENSE, which was the difference between Ryan’s team and Joe Flacco’s team (Ravens). Our defense last year was old and slow. Granted, I loved K. Brooking, and he was, until this year, my favorite Falcon. But times have changed, and I don’t think all these people, including yourself, predicting the Falcons sucking this year has ANY validity. Everyone thought we would SUCK last year too, but look what happened!! I predict at least 10-6 and FINALLY Back-2-Back winning seasons!!!!
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
7:39 pm
Braves are done – Rochy needed to clear those bases to take that game last night…
rico43
August 29th, 2009
7:39 pm
How much action is each QB expected to see, Mark?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:41 pm
Montana was indeed one-and-done in the playoffs. Check 1985.
And how many of those QBs made the playoffs as rookie starters?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:43 pm
According to esteemed colleague Chris Vivlamore, who’s sitting to my left, Mike Smith wouldn’t commit to any rotation regarding his quarterbacks this week, Rico.
Seeing that the third exhibition is the one teams see as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, Ryan will — I’m guessing — play into the second quarter. Beyond that, I don’t know.
JJB
August 29th, 2009
7:44 pm
Mark, because Bigeasy830 is a dolt who probably watches the games from a looted TV
Rod
August 29th, 2009
7:45 pm
Hey Mark, What do you think of this quote as far a DJ is concerned: Smith said. “It’s been very competitive. Of course we are not going to just evaluate what takes place in the [exhibition] games. We are going to weigh the whole body of work, which entails mini-camp, training camp and [organized team activities] and what they’ve done in these preseason games.” DJ had a great mini, ota and training camp. I don’t care to see DJ as the 3rd stringer again this year it should be #2 or go and see what other teams my bring him on board. I still think when all the dust settles the QB that has the most talent will be the #2 qb and I believe it is DJ.
Justin
August 29th, 2009
7:45 pm
Bigeasy they lost to the cardinals not the rams.
Shamus Thacker
August 29th, 2009
7:45 pm
We’ll be able to just flat outscore some teams this year. If the defense can manage to at least equal last year’s performance, we’ll be a better team overall. Our record, even with the tough schedule, will be better than most football psychics predict…
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:47 pm
Rod, I would read that quote to mean Shockley has a lot of friends inside the building at 4400 Falcon Parkway. One of his best friends is Matt Ryan.
Shamus Thacker
August 29th, 2009
7:51 pm
Best thing that’s happened in the HISTORY of the Falcon’s franchise, was when Bobby Petrino walked out that door! He made all this possible!!
Oink, Oink, Petrino, you F’n IDIOT!!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:53 pm
I still wonder, Shamus, what Petrino and Vick could have done together. Some good things, I’ll always believe.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
Shawn Merriman was just introduced. He didn’t do his little dance, much to my displeasure. Now the Falcons.
Not a huge crowd, you should know. Lots of empties even in the lower arena. But Dome crowds fool me. They fill in right at kickoff.
Charlie
August 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
Vick is old news. For what it is worth, he looked like Brooking running the other night. Arm looks good, but he never could hit a timing pattern.
Charlie
August 29th, 2009
7:59 pm
Petrino was not an NFL coach, my gues is Vick would not have changed that.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:00 pm
During the anthem, I counted the jerseys in the section in front of me. The total: 7 Ryans, 2 Vicks, one Peerless Price.
Peerless Price? Talk about a throwback.
Shamus Thacker
August 29th, 2009
8:01 pm
Mark Bradley: I still wonder, Shamus, what Petrino and Vick could have done together. Some good things, I’ll always believe.”"
Maybe so Mark, but I sure wouldn’t trade what he have now to have found out.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:02 pm
I wouldn’t, either. But I bet Petrino has a big season at Arky. Bad guy, good coach.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
Ready to go, almost. Let me know if Fouts or Gumbel says anything good. Or, failing that, interesting.
And while we’re at it: Why doesn’t anybody hate a football announcer the way people hate Tim McCarver?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:06 pm
Ryan to Gonzalez, first snap. Off play-action. Nine yards. Easy.
Tweezy
August 29th, 2009
8:07 pm
Fouts thinks this is a SB preview! A stretch but hope is eternal.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
Ryan overthrows White on a short out, then misses him deep. Falcons punt.
I don’t see San Diego as a Super Bowl team. Not ahead of Pittsburgh and New England. And I don’t think the Falcons are apt to get there, either. Not this year.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:11 pm
Bradley,
Let’s just say that the overrated legacy, Joe Buck, is the worst thing to happen to televised sports in YEARS.
Baseball, football, he ruins it all. He’s absolutely horrible. If his father wasn’t named Jack Buck, he’d be somebody’s accountant in St. Louis.
He has to be the least talented announcer per amount of games he calls.
FOX’s second team, in both baseball and football are much preferable to listening to Buck.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:13 pm
Every time I see Philip Rivers throw, I think, “What’s wrong with his delivery?” I never can get used to that throwing motion.
Peria Jerry just tackled Darren Sproles, by the way.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:15 pm
To tell you how much I loathe Joe Buck, I’d rather be locked in a room for 48 hours listening to John Madden and Peter King wax eloquent about their mutual love of all things Favre than listen to Buck for one minute.
That the kind of loathing you buy.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:16 pm
Brent Grimes is too SHORT.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:16 pm
Abraham ran down Sproles on a screen pass and landed funny. He’s still in, though.
Rivers to Vincent Jackson over Brent Grimes. Jackson might have pushed off.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:17 pm
Sproles on a 10-yard touchdown run off a stretch draw. Not much of a defensive series there, I’m afraid.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:19 pm
so much for Defense
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
8:20 pm
I’ll hear about this, regardless of whether or not it is a pre-season game–come on Falcons! I am very concerned about the defense–that was terrible.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
8:21 pm
Like I said over and over and over again, you are not playing Detroit & St. Louis – You are playing with the BIG BOYS!
Matty Ice throwing lollipops thinking he can fool the Chargers – please.
On defense, the Chargers ran it down their throats like they were playing a high school team.
It’s going to be a looooooooooong season!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:21 pm
That was terrible, La Jolla. Way too easy.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:22 pm
Difference between the Falcons and the Bulldogs:
The Falcons will have to score 30 points in some games because their defense is REALLY young, even though they have a good coordinator.
The Bulldogs will have to score over 30 points in EVERY game, despite the fact that they have a veteran defense because their coordinator is the WORST in the SEC.
On the surface, defense may be the problems, but when you peel back a few layers, you see hope for the Falcons because of BVG.
There is NO hope for Bulldog Nation as long as Martinez retains his job, which he in no way deserves.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
8:22 pm
Exposed….. exposed……exposed….
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Uh-Oh. BVG’s D just got caught blitzing on a deep pass and then a soft zone inside the ten? No he’s BVG that doesn’t happen. Where are the hot head Martinez bashers?
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Here comes the idiot Vick fans.
Hey moron, go haunt the message boards at the Philly Inquirer.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:24 pm
Michael Turner with a quick 10. Think San Diego would let him leave today?
Slick
August 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
Bad News – I could have sworn Matty Ice and his lollipops handled the “big boy” Chargers last year.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
Here come the idiot Martinez Backers (idiots because they actually BACK Martinez)
Hey moron, one has a YOUNG defense, one has a VETERAN defense.
One’s defense will get better as the year goes on.
One’s defense has no chance from day one because HE is the coordinator.
It’s amazing that there are actually people who, like Richt, have the gall to defend the indefensible.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
One of those lollipops just resulted in a first down. To Gonzo again. Gonzo will catch 80 balls this season, easy.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
nice run by norwood
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
It all comes down to player execution. BVG can dial up all the agressive plays he wants, but the players have to execute.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Another lollipop, this one to Roddy White. Falcons inside the 20.
Tweezy
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Roddy Whites goin to be worth every penny.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Uh-oh, BadNews…
We just saw Matt Ryan make a throw based on a progression of his reads!!!
Don’t remember YOUR guy ever doing that, not even once!
Hahaha.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:28 pm
Coaches always talk about finishing off runs. Michael Turner finishes his off.
Dan
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Mark – for all who idolize Matty Ice (Ryan is Tom Brady is the most over the top example, but there is lot of that around here) have I got a story for you!
“Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons is playing in only his second NFL season but he’s already the league’s top quarterback in at least one category: handsomeness.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574378733451557884.html
A modest proposal – How about Ryan wins something before we bronze him for Canton
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
You are no Bulldog. You are a play station all american band wagon fan. Go actually coach a group of kids or play the real game and get back to me.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
TD fin fin
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
One thing I always wondered . . . . ..last year I kept reading conflicting reports . . . . posters would say Matt Ryan was weak-armed . . .then I’d hear a Commentator say he has a cannon. I saw pretty much every game he played at BC as an alum, I thought his decision making and guts were he top points . . .but also thought he had a great arm . . . if not a Marino like cannon.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Gravy, the NEXT time you hear BVG ever blame his players will be the FIRST time.
How many times have Richt and YOUR BOY thrown their players under the bus?
Go away. Your arguments are not based in logic and fact, just on the insane belief that Martinez must be awesome because he’s Richt’s choice.
Guess what, genius, Martinez IS Jeff Bowden.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Ryan finds Finneran, who was in the slot. Touchdown. Nice drive.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:31 pm
I would describe Ryan’s arm as NFL-caliber. Not Stafford-strong, but certainly up to requirements. Which I believe was the case with a Mr. Montana.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:31 pm
Gravy, come on down to Athens, and I’ll buy you a Guiness at Gencos (they pour the best), and we can talk about how I’m not a Bulldog and how you’re a complete, blindly loyal moron…
… how about that?
Tweezy
August 29th, 2009
8:32 pm
WOW. I actually feel guilty for laughing at the J Bowden comparison.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:32 pm
where is the special teams?
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Someone put a laso on Sproles. Man is quick!
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Correction: Lasso
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Let’s see some D this time.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Darren Sproles makes people miss, Toccoa. Good thing the sideline — and Koenen, sort of — caught him.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:35 pm
Speaking of Sproles: Lofton chases him down after a 14-yard gain on a screen.
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:35 pm
The next time I hear BVG tell the truth and keep his commitments will be the first time. Why is it a pass for BVG that he has to count on inexperienced DB’s and not for Martinez? You’re a know-nothing hypocrite who needs to study the game. BVG left right as the foundation of his D left also…how convenient.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
Finally some D. First Babineaux and then Coleman stop Hester for no gain. Third down coming up.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
You know what I like seeing?
The defense might take it’s lumps in the first half of the season.
But look at them SWARM to the ball!
Just like the Georgia Bulldogs USED to do!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
Kroy Biermann runs down Sproles — another screen — two yards short of a first down. Chargers punt.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
This defense is quick, BugKiller. That’s the upside.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:40 pm
Funny-looking play on third-and-1. Quick toss to Norwood loses two yards.
Quarter ends. Tied at 7. Falcons to punt.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
Funny and Bad looking play.
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
Norwood and Ryan telegraphed that play.. too bad.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
nice special teams play that time.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Nice open-field tackle by Lofton on the punt. Starting MLB plays special teams.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Gravy… with every word you speak, you prove more and more how little you understand about football.
BVG left Georgia right as the foundation, as you say, was leaving?
You mean the foundation HE built? The players HE made stars?
Who the hell was David Pollack before BVG? A 3rd team FULLBACK.
We had talent, and BVG MOLDED the talent.
You’re one of those idiots who claim Martinez has no talent to work with, right? That’s not only wholly incorrect, it’s intellectually DISHONEST.
So you’re either a liar, or an idiot, or both.
Martinez has had just as much, if not MORE talent than BVG ever had.
What’s the difference? What’s happened to Georgia’s defense? Why aren’t guys getting drafted?
Seems to me that the difference is in the guy who’s teaching, the guy who’s coaching.
So, Gravy, we’ve proven that you’re not only stupid, but that you’re so blindly loyal, that you’re a liar who’ll go to great lengths to excuse MEDIOCRE COACHING.
And why? Why would you do this?
I actually want the Dawgs to be BETTER?
You want them to get WORSE.
You, like Mark Richt, like Bobby Bowden, want to let a coordinator the head coach has an emotional attachment to, to STAY and DESTROY what the head coach has built, instead of doing what’s best for the team.
You know little and you lie much, Gravy. I offered to buy you a beer and bury the differences, but you know what, I don’t drink with liars, or those who lie because they can’t think of a logical way out of an argument.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Almost a sack by Gilbert. Probably was grounding. No call, though.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong her but isn’t this a FALCONS blog and not a bugs vs Dawgs blog. SHUT UP or go to another blog already.
Bat Masterson
August 29th, 2009
8:46 pm
What a difference a year makes. I was one of those not sure about drafting Ryan and did not have much faith in the line. Its nice to have a professional group and not the carnival show we had become accustom to. Time to break the bird curse.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
OK, let the secondary griping commence in earnest. Eighteen-yard gain on third-and-15. Houston beaten.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Floyd caught the ball for a first but he paid a price for it.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Mark,
Was Peterson out of position (a la Brooking) on that long 3rd down completion? It didn’t look like there was any underneath coverage helping the corner on that play.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Too much time for Rivers on that throw, though. I want to see Sidbury.
And now Rivers gets called for grounding.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
If I told you I knew for sure about Peterson, I’d be lying.
Another long third-down completion. Houston again. Jackson again.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
I may have missed a previous post indicating this . . . but boy those Falcons secondary guys seem very, very small/short . . .
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Chris Houston is getting ABUSED.
Mark, I commented on an earlier blog that I believe that Dimitroff’s refusal to match the Ravens’ offer to Foxworth (considering the team is UNDER the cap) was the ONLY mistake he’s made in two years.
It seems as if, unfortunately, I was right.
Houston isn’t ready to be a 1, and Grimes is not a 2. Dimitroff should have resigned Foxworht
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Or the Chargers receivers are just plain big!
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
I think the Chargers are very pleased that they have Sproles, dude is hard to stop. I hope Mark Richt and Carlton Thomas are watching. I believe Sproles is even smaller than Thomas.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Grimes is listed as 5-10, Houston as 5-11, Recent. In other words, you’re right.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
8:52 pm
CB play is killing us.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:52 pm
LOFTON!!!
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:52 pm
great hit by lofton
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
Big hit by Lofton. And now another third-and-long. And ANOTHER conversion. Jackson again. Houston again.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
DAMMIT!!!
Houston is getting DESTROYED.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:54 pm
Sorry, that was Chris Chambers on the reception. But Houston on the coverage, or the lack thereof. That’s terrible. Three long third-down conversions on one drive.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:55 pm
Mark, why are the coaches so committed to giving Jamaal Anderson chance, after chance, after chance???
He’s not their guy. He’s not generating a rush. His presence on the field HURTS Abraham.
Let Anderson go. Davis plays with much more heart and more fire. Davis is a BVG guy. Anderson is a McKay guy.
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
8:55 pm
I don’t blame the CB on that one. Blitz should have got there
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:55 pm
A sack on a blitz. Grimes.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:55 pm
Finally a SACK
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
Meaning that out of all the questionable to bad picks that McKay had, Anderson was the worst.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
3rd and 24 and they get a TD are you KIDDING ME
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
Once again, Anderson on the ground…
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
Terrible. Screen pass to Michael Bennett for a 48-yard touchdown. Somebody missed him on the sideline, but I couldn’t see the number. Help me out.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:57 pm
Maybe we should let the Chargers get more 3rd and Short instead of all those 3rd and Longs
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:57 pm
Lofton, after the big play earlier, takes the absolutely WORST angle possible on that screen.
You can put the blame for that TD on Lofton for taking the bad angle.
Why did he cut backfield, when he should have tried to meet the RB 5 more yards upfield?
Not a mistake you expect the leader of our defense to make.
Good thing this is only the preseason.
SCREEN!
August 29th, 2009
8:57 pm
Wow, how many times have the Falcons given up a big gain on a screen pass? Poor angles and tackling.
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Peterson missed him
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
The Falcons want to give Jamaal Anderson every chance. They like his talent. But remember, this administration didn’t draft him, and their patience isn’t limitless.
ChurchMan
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
The Offense is going to keep them in games but the D is going to keep putting pressure on the offense, it’s not a good winning combination.
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
It is going to be a classic Falcon season. This defense is awful! We will be lucking to win seven games. We are terrible on “D”. There is no excuse for all of the 3rd down conversions!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
*wondering how close Mike Smith is to benching all of the starteer….through about game 5 of the regular season*
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
OK … this is a bit frightening the easy 3rd and long conversions SD is doing on our D. I’m without words here.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Thanks, Rush.
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:59 pm
ouch! That was ugly…
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:59 pm
It was Lofton, Mark.
But, also, Anderson had contain on the play.
And as someone else said, Anderson managed to find his way to the ground.
Anderson is KILLING this team.
LOOK AT MIKE SMITH DESTROY HOUSTON!!!
Hahaha!
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
Peterson had him on the sideline but whiffed…
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
It’s only preseason. (There’s the disclaimer.) But I have to say this is a shoddy showing in a game that NFL teams take more seriously than the other three.
Sad Falcon
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
So far, defense is absolutely pathetic.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
…Cause I would…there is no excuse for play that poor.
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
The Defense Sucks
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:00 pm
I hope Matty Ice can play defense! FOUR long 3rd down conversions!!! U gotta be kidding me!!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
Smitty just now walked away from the defense. And now he’s stomping down the sideline.
He is not pleased. I wouldn’t be, either.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
Jamaal Anderson has been clearly held with no call twice now – not even close.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
wow-our D is looking pretty porous…you could say poor too…poor and porous…
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
No, it’s WASN’T Peterson.
It was No. 50. That’s LOFTON.
Lofton took the wrong angle.
He cut to the backfield and let the RB cut upfield at the corner.
If Lofton would have cut upfield, then he would have met him 5 yards up the field, but 17 yards from the marker.
Also, the play was to Anderson’s side, meaning he let the RB break containment.
Anderson is like a punching bag out there. He’s terrible.
Mr C
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
wow. 3rd and long looks so easy for the Chargers. It’s the Preseason but why is Anderson starting. It’s going to be a long season on defense
Miller Time
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
im tired of watching all of these third and long completions how bout a little defense
Mitch
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
Seriously, the pressure is not too bad, but Houston is looking slow. His guy is open and he is stumbling to keep up. Is he that bad or the receivers that good?
I’m afraid he is that bad.
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
If it is this bad now, wait until the regular season. This defense is going to ruin the season. What year is it? 2000?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:02 pm
Ryan overthrows Roddy on first down. I might have started with a run, just to slow the game a bit.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
At worst…at WORST…with a poor defense, during a game, maybe two very, very long 3rd down conversions get converted. They just gave up way more than that. WAAAAY more than that. That is not shredded. That is diced, chopped, sent through a wood-chipper and sat on by Grady Jackson.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
Oh, you mean on the sideline! Okay, I just rewound my DVR and saw Peterson miss him 10 yards up the field.
But there’s still Lofton taking the wrong angle.
And there’s still Anderson letting himself get blocked out of the play.
So in reality, it comes down to Anderson.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
Ryan to Jenkins on a deep cross for a first down. They needed that.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
“Sat on by Grady Jackson.” Wow. Good line.
Miller Time
August 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
I hope he is not that bad they do have a few tall wr’s and rivers has a cannon for an arm
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
Yikes, just reviewed and your right. Lofton missed initially and Peterson missed further down the field. Horrible all the way around.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
Another first down, this to Jenkins again. Moving the ball isn’t the issue, I’m thinking.
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
Sorry to dwell but I hate bad defensive play and man we are seeing it tonight.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
Is there some sort of NFL rule that says that you HAVE to play defense? Falcons would be so much more fun to watch if they only played offense. Seriously, there are a lot of ‘pages’ out there–everyone on the D is on a different one!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
Ryan just scrambled, and the historian in me held my breath. I recall another Falcon scrambling in a third exhibition. In 2003, I believe. Against Baltimore. But Ryan got down without incident.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:06 pm
But hey, the offense looks like a juggernaught…a legitimate one.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:07 pm
rush (so nice to talk to someone who understands football)…
… the LBs need the help from the ends, though, on the screen pass.
If your DE can’t recognize what’s going on (does Anderson EVER know what’s going on?) with the screen and lets himself get blocked out, giving the back the corner, then you’re screwed.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:07 pm
Norwood down after Cromartie clubs him with a forearm on third down. Flag comes late.
Norwood is still down.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
That was NOT a preseason hit…that was a playoff hit.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
Norwood is still down . . .. . unfortunately the Flag is NOT!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Zebras picked up the flag. No penalty. Smitty unhappy (again). Fourth-and-2 at the 22.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Bradley, is Penn Wages working tonight’s game?
How the hell did the refs pick up that flag?
Norwood wasn’t tackled! He was given the People’s Elbow!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
These teams read the press about this being a very possible SB preview…they are playing like it…well…actually…3/4 of them out there are playing like it…
bigdave
August 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
TIME TO GO HEAD HUNTING CROMARTIE WAS TALKING SHYT!
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:11 pm
Hope Jerious is ok–nasty hit there…sending my 2 cents worth from Kng of Prussia, PA…here on work, headed north to Williamsport for Little League World Series tomorrow…Vick pretty well received here the other night from local news reports.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
9:11 pm
no flag
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
OK, bright side….this defense is very, very, VERY young. They have to learn. Their learning curve goes straight up game by game. As the season goes, they will get better.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
Falcons were going to go for the first down. Now Elam’s on for a FG.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
Mark, is Penn Wagers working this game?
How the heck could the refs pick up that flag!?!?
Norwood wasn’t tackled, he was given the People’s Elbow!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
He makes it. Chargers lead 14-10.
rushfan2112
August 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
Agreed, he was definitely “Given him the business”.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
The People’s Elbow? Norwood has a knee injury. Not a good sign.
Chris
August 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
Hope Dimitroff can find some diamonds in the rough once teams start making cuts. We have got to get bigger at the cornerback position.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
Good news. Rivers is out. Let’s see how the secondary does against Billy Volek. (Who once torched the Falcons as a Titan, as I remember.)
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:16 pm
see if the D tightens up after the Coach’s justified tirade on the bench
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
9:16 pm
Perhaps we could send a Thug in to take a cheap shot on a Charger. A “Ringer”!
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
Are you kidding me? 4 3rd and 17+ on one drive? A 3rd and 24 for a touch down?
And this is the team that expects to make the playoffs when the starting running back and tight end are not even suiting up?
You guys are delusional including you “MARK”
Wait until you get the Patriots, Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Bears etc
There is no way this defense can stand a chance with Drew Brees and the Saints…….:)
Lollipop Ryan
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
I think Coach Garner should get most of the credit for Pollack. Garner is recruiting coordinator and D-line coach. Plenty of Defensive Dawgs have been drafted since Martinez took over and he has plenty of talent. Unfortunately that talent has not been as dominating as Pollack and has hed problems with health. I know enough about football and coaching to say this: A game changer makes any coach look decent, and it can make a good coach look great. Also, getting young men to come together and buy in and execute is not as easy as it looks. Otherwise, Ray Goff would still be in Athens.
If you live by the blitz, eventually you will die by the blitz. Ask Ditka and Buddy Ryan.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
Second verse, same as the first. Volek converts a third down. Peterson beaten. Two-minute warning.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
muy malo…looks like the Swiss cheese defensive strategy–lotta holes
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
Another 3rd down…..another 18 yard pass for a first down!
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
secondary does no better
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
Did y’all see Anderson in that latest 3rd down conversion???
The right tackle isn’t even TRYING. He’s playing PATTY-CAKE with Anderson, and Anderson STILL can’t get past him.
Anderson is TERRIBLE.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
Three weeks to sit out for Norwood….if it’s not serious. That’s a major weapon to lose if that’s what happens. On the plus side, the Falcons are very deep at running back.
PS..Mark…my screename is not intended to connote that I want you traded…it’s just my initials…
PPS…ANOTHER 3rd down conversions *shakes head*
Goldenglove002
August 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
Is Owens going to get some time tonight? need to see someone else in at CB with Houston and Grimes not looking good
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:19 pm
Anderson is either terrible or horrible…I’m undecided which…
Eman
August 29th, 2009
9:19 pm
I believe that the falcons will make a move for another CB before the season will start. No pass rush by the four down men. We need help on defence and I believe its Sidbury and another CB from somewhere not here!!
Brown Paper Bag
August 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
I was a student at Georgia Southern for the one year Van Gorder was the coach there and his defense couldn’t defend on third down back then either.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
This team is fabulous
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
You gotta wonder what Dimitroff and Smith will talk about when reviewing the tape on Anderson this preseason…he has not looked good.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
Owens isn’t in yet. Still Houston and Grimes. But Moore made a tackle on the last kickoff.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
Was that a replay or live…the 3rd and 8
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
TD- PLEASE I hope you see what we all are witnessing, our corners are being outplayed and looks like men (chargers) playing against boys (falcon corners). Anyone else see this? TD- work your magic and find us some NFL cornerback’s or let our talented rookies you drafted play and get experience now.
RFGH
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
The “fans” who rode Brooking so hard last season are happy, I’m sure, to see Peterson in his stead, but the defense is worse for it. Never understood all the vile tossed his way. Probably the same “fans” who still pine for Vick. Definite down grade at outside linebacker. Worst looking Falcon defense I’ve seen in a while.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
WOW–NO pass rush coupled with NO secondary defense equals big catch
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
Another 3rd and long – yes this is a superbowl team
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
BVG needs a cover 2 to compensate for the secondary weaknesses. But no he’ll stick with a zone blitz or man blitz and continue to get shredded.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
oh damn, that was live….
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
ANOTHER third down. Chevis Jackson the culprit this time.
I’m thinking the Falcons might sign some defensive players at halftime.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
The Falcons Secondary couldn’t cover a cake with icing.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
Another long gainer on a SCREEN? This is PATHETIC
ANOTHER screen?
August 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
Wow, are you kidding me? How many times are they going to get mauled on that play?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
And let them play the third quarter.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Gravy, again proving you know less that you claim.
Only the people who criticize Martinez and don’t know what they’re talking about talk about “blitzing.”
BVG didn’t blitz any more or less than Martinez. In fact, I think he actually blitzed LESS.
The difference is, BVG knew when to blitz. BVG also knew how to make snap, in-game adjustments.
Martinez knows none of this.
As Mark said in his AWESOME blog about how inept Martinez truly is:
When the defense broke down when BVG was the DC, the other team scored field goals.
When the defense breaks down under Martinez (about three to four times a year, now), the defense gives up 40 points.
The difference is COACHING.
Not only what happens during the games but what happens during PRACTICE.
Martinez is MOLDING his players the same BVG molded his. He’s not COACHING them as well.
THAT’S the difference.
Not “blitzing.”
JV
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
How hurt is Norwood? Or how hurt does he appear to be?
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Incomplete! when was the last time that happened?
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
The falcon defense hasn’t got a clue about reading a screen pass.
Eric C.
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
8 and 8…maybe.
Wabe
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
Grimes/Jackson.
Houston shouldn’t be a lock to start at CB, he’s not as good as advertised to be. Give Jackson a look – he’s bigger + I like what I saw out of him last season. I don’t think we can rely on 2 corners that are both under 6′0 to get us stops vs receivers that are much bigger. I like Grimes > Houston. It should be Grimes/Jackson.
Right now, it’s mismatches all day…
MT
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
Wouldn’t be a bad idea, Mark.
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
I’ve seen enough!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
too….damned…easy
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
Touchdown on a slant. Grimes beaten. That’s the second-string quarterback doing this, folks.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
They’re reviewing the play. Floyd’s knee was down, I think, before he broke the plane with the ball.
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
If Houston is supposed to be our top coverman, we are in for a long season. This is painful to watch. Grimes just got burned AGAIN!!!!!
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
I was really excited that I was going to actually be able to watch a Falcons preseason game on t.v., now, not so excited. I hope they pick up some help for the secondary, if they don’t, we are not going to have back-to-back winning seasons.
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Jamie , me too.
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Earlier this year I had to move to South Georgia and sell my tickets for the 2009 season. I hope my Mother-in law has a good time watching us get murdered week in and week out.
This is disgusting!!!!!!!! i had such high hopes for the season, but it is just more of the same.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
So Mark… are you going to ask TD why he decided Foxworth wasn’t worth a matching contract when the team is UNDER the cap?
Like I said… the ONLY mistake the guy has made, but it is a HUGE mistake.
Sad Falcon
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Pete
August 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Falcons are helpless against the pass
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
The D is so invisible, are we SURE they are playing with 11? Seems like no more than 9
Keith Brooking
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
I love Chris Houston. Nothing better than making lots of tackles three yards beyond the sticks!!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
There is no mistaking a couple of things here…the Chargers offense is really, really good. So is Atlanta’s. And the Atlanta defense has some major questions to answer.
This was supposed to be a dress rehearsal…and the defense showed up in Girl Scout uniforms.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
Touchdown stands. It’s 21-10.
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
We are gonna face alot of talented quarterback’s this year, TD get on the phone , make some deal’s and get us help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SRF
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
OUCH ! they need some pass rush or pass defense from somebody !
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
The Chargers are running through this defense like they stole something
Like I said, it’s pretty easy to win with the benefit of the 9th easiest schedule. Well folks it’s time to play with the big boys.
This is an example of how you keep and opposing offense off the field, so I don’t care how many Michael Turners, Roddy Whites, or Tony Gonzalez on the team – they can’t score if they don’t have the ball.
Even the backup is looking like a pro bowl qb…..
PATHETTIC!!!! PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!! PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Is Lawyer Milloy still available?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
I laughed at that line, TradeMark.
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins are licking their chops.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Dawgs2009… PRESEASON.
And I’m sorry, but the Falcons will play maybe 4 teams that have as much talent as San Diego this year.
Patriots. Eagles. Giants. Saints. Maybe Carolina.
That’s it. That’s 6 games against teams with this kind of offensive talent.
Most people have said 10-6.
There you go.
Last year, Detroit went 4-0 in the preseason.
sanantoniofalconsfan
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
wow! the defense looks horrible! It’s like San Diego’s offense is playing against a bunch of high school guys. We lost way too much talent in the off season. We may have a good offense, but if the other team’s offense stays on the field all day, you don’t get a chance to use it. We face too many great offenses this year to play this bad on offense.
just horrible.
Smitty
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
The falcons have a serious problem on Defense. the good news is that they are improved on RUN defense but this is bad news as well since teams will throw more vs.a Pass Def that is terrible. There is one cover CB, Grimes, but he is too small to get to alot of balls. They still have only one stud pass rusher, and scheming is not going to do it vs. all the good QBs on their schedule. What to do?
SRF
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
By the way – all of you Brooking haters – need a new person to blame
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
I don’t believe Mr. Milloy has signed with a team. Though he might get a call from the 404 area code at halftime.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
I like your “signing guys at the half” comment, Mark. It would be really funny if it wasn’s so true!
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:32 pm
Oh crap. The best hope at corner is down.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:32 pm
OHHHH UGLY!!!! looks like his ankle bent backward OOOOUUUCHHH!!!! how is that guy walking off the field?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Chris Owens took a long time getting up after Thomas Brown’s kickoff return. Great. An injury to a CB.
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Call the NFL Network. Rod Woodson still has game!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Ryan to Booker. Falcons past midfield. And then to Booker again.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Matty Ice with a LASER!!!
chemdawg
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
In 20003, Vick broke his leg on a sack around his feet, not a scramble.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
And then to Roddy White. Falcons moving nicely.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
You learn more by failure than you learn by success, but there IS a time limit, the Falcons window for success is open for business right now, and a struggling defense is enough to slam it shut. I think we’re going to see just how good a coach Mike Smith and Co. really is. And I suspect they are very, very good.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
The moving part isn’t what’s at issue, though. It’s the stopping-people part of the game.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
Can the Falcons sign some AAAAA Atlanta area high school DBs? There are some decent athletes in N Fulton where I live (altho I’m in Philly area now)
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
Mark,
You know Deion is watching this game.
You KNOW Deion is thinking… I could really end it where I began it.
Hahaha.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Ryan had White open at the flag but didn’t get him the ball soon enough. Jammer breakup.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Bad News calm down a bit . . .although there are starters out there . . it still is only Pre-Season. I wish the D looked better today – but this game (as far as a W or L goes) will have no bearing. I know you are really just enjoying yourself dumping on Falcs more than anything eles. But remember – Lions were 4 – 0 in Pre-Season last year.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Noodle arm almost got a pick 6
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Cooper breaks up a slant to Gonzalez. Field goal now.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Relax everyone-it’s PRESEASON. We all knew the defense was gonna be a work in progress-so here you go. It may take us til week 4-5 to gel on defense-fine. We will be fine-I trust this coaching staff, and you all should too. If anything, this will keep us HUMBLE and HUNGRY.
GO FALCONS.
Central Fl Dawg
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
I am watching this game with alot of disbelief….. where is the pass defense? 4 3rd down and long conversions by San Diego.. is the Falcons secondary that terrible?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:37 pm
Field goal is good. It’s 21-13 at the half. And not a good 21-13, if you take my point.
crabapplejoe
August 29th, 2009
9:37 pm
I swear Petersons looked good on those first two touchdowns…..he was “trash talkin’” real good and had a lot of “swagger”….seemed “aggressive” especially when he was grabbing the shoe laces of the RB on that second touchdown. On the first touchdown, as Sproles ran by him, I think he was discussing Ted Kennedy’s funeral with the blocker playing footsie with him….so much for “stuffing the running lanes”. Wow. But, hey, his dreadlocks looked really good tonight.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
9:37 pm
Halftime. Oh well Elam looked good
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
Bad News can’t calm down Once “Recent” Reader, he is upset he missed his bus to Philly this morning.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
@Chemdog-
you are wrong-Vick was SCRAMBLING when he broke his leg-check your facts. He wanted to make something happen…..and he did.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
Like I keep saying, the tight end was not the problem in the redzone – it’s the qb because he has a noodle arm with no zip. He just proved it all over again.
Should have drafted Flacco – sorry guys
They are going to get stomped by the Dolphins and will be 0-3 before the bye week.
Maybe next season guys, but you can watch Vick in the superbowl though
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:39 pm
How’d you like to be a defensive starter in that halftime lockerroom? Talk about verbal abuse…major butt-chewing soon to ensue
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:39 pm
Bad News… NOODLE arm???
Really.
So, to be straight… you’re just a Vick Fan and a Ryan Hater, and you know absolutely NOTHING about football, right?
You and Gravy need to hang out in the Delusional Morons Club.
Ryan was late on the read, idiot. The pass was late. There was nothing wrong with the speed.
If you’re going to criticize him, why don’t you do so with some actual knowledge, and not with your usual pro-Vick IGNORANCE?
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:39 pm
Offense…B+, Defense ….damn….what comes after “Z” ?
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
9:40 pm
Ryan missed the spot on those last 2 passes – underthrew Roddy big time
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:40 pm
Should’ve drafted Flacco? Did I just read that? Are you serious?Bueller? Bueller?
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
9:42 pm
It looks to me like the Falcons cornerbacks are getting exposed where they pass off coverage from the short guy in the flat to the deep guy’s zone…wondering if we played more straight man to man if we’d be in better shape (with the safety sitting on top of the deep threat WR), thoughts?
Extremus
August 29th, 2009
9:44 pm
The CBS telecast got overridden by the Titans game where I live (NE Tennessee), so I’m following along here. Obviously it sounds like things are terrible right now with the secondary especially, but I believe the coaching staff and management will make the correct decisions in the days ahead to address what needs they can regarding our defense. My big concern right now is Norwood; has there been any word yet on his status? A loss like that behind Turner would be awful.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:44 pm
The Vick Fans like Bad News prove with every word they write that they don’t know the tiniest thing about football.
Hey Bad News, what route did Roddy run?
What were Ryan’s first two reads on that play?
Why was he late coming to Roddy’s side of the field?
What was the defense playing, or what did they do, to momentarily confuse Ryan on that play? Did the drop an end into coverage? Did the Will show blitz, but drop into coverage?
You’re a moron. You’re ignorant. You’re a Vick Fan. These three things are NOT mutually exclusive.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:44 pm
Defensive Detective ..Sound theory. with a good MtoM coverage you prefer to have some taller guys, though. Plus, you have to have pass rush to upset the QB’s rhythm. It just isn’t there….yet. YET.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:44 pm
That was the worst redzone experience I have ever seen but it doesn’t surprise me, being he has a NOODLE ARM when you need an NFL arm to score in the redzone.
Maybe the Falcons can have the top pick in the draft
Looks like Arthur misses Vick
RA
August 29th, 2009
9:45 pm
Atlanta’s weakness has been exposed. On third and long, they have to drop back into a nickel and if it’s a long enough third, a dime. They simply don’t have the corners to go one on one and they can’t generate enough off the blitz to guarantee a sack. They need to drop back into coverage and pray that someone can pressure the QB before someone beats it.
Slick
August 29th, 2009
9:45 pm
I thought we all know the Falcons were going to have to win shootouts? Especially early in the year. Did you guys forget we had a suspect but opportunistic defense last year? Did you guys forget that we spent 6 or 7 draft choices on defense? Did you guys forget we’re counting on several of those draft choices to be major contributors? Get used to games like these folks, and pray that the defense begins to jell as the year wears on.
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:45 pm
Why not play C. Jackson, Chris Owens, V. Hutchins, Middleton???? Get Houston and Grines One-way airline tickets outta here, didn’t we just make a deal with Value-Jet ??? There you go. It’s a Win-Win for us.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
Arthur doesn’t look happy
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:47 pm
Noodle arm? Yea, that Ryan he is TERRIBLE. Just like that Tom Brady guy in New England–what a JOKE for a QB…
Back to reality, Ryan, to me, looks VERY Brady-esque–what a future & it’s w/ the Falcons.
David Ford
August 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Are you kidding! 3rd and 17, 3rd and 18, 3rd and 24, Can only be one of two problems. Def Coor. can’t call the right defense or the defense is AWFUL. We have a problem. Better make some trades. Quick!
Anthony
August 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Hey Bradley,
I am very concern about the defense. They are letting the second string offense for the chargers just walk down the field. We do not have a pass rush and that is concerning. i understand it is a young defense but Jammal Anderson should be doing better…. I predict a 9-7 season… The starters have been out there for the entire first half and have not shown me anything. I am disappointed Bradley..Disappointed
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Better a slight weaker arm (noodle arm…what a troll comment) that has about 60%+ accuracy, than a laser arm…that throws the ball to say…oh who the hell knows where it’s going…probably into the stands…in Toronto.
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Offense looks fine. But that was one of the worst defensive efforts that I’ve seen in a long time. We have no pass rush, poor secondary coverage, and horrible tackling techniques.
I’m behind the team all the way, but somebody needs to man-up and play like they need a job.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
Remember guys, half of pass defense is a pass rush….. corners look weak yes, but pass rush looks weaker….. big man will be back opening day, but it’s time to put Jamal on the bench…need someone hungry on the other end
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:49 pm
Mark, can you think of any quality free agent DB’s still available???
Russ
August 29th, 2009
9:51 pm
Philly used Vick’s laser arm the other night for thoses 19 yds. on 4 completions.
bali smith
August 29th, 2009
9:51 pm
makes you wonder if if we should have kept some of the veteran defensive players. I know the defense is in transition but it looks like the offense is going to have to score 50 pts a game to win. Defense , especially pass defense looked terrible in the first half
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
Is there any word on Norwood yet?
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
Defensive Detective…
… with corners as short as the Falcons employ, playing man would be suicide.
Playing a Tampa 2 (cover 2) is what you do with corners this short.
The problem really begins at the line. The problem begins and ends with Jamaal Anderson.
Okay, this is how it works in a Tampa 2.
Your line HAS to get pressure, so you can drop your safeties two deep to protect against the long pass play and your corners and LBs can play up and in the middle in a zone. The LBs cover the middle, sitting in the passing lanes, while the corners will cover the hashes to the sideline.
If you can’t generate a pass rush with your down 4, you’re screwed.
The problem lives with Anderson.
Anderson can be single covered, leaving Abraham to be double covered. But the problem is worse than that.
Because Anderson is so terrible, the opposing offense doesn’t even have to use a tight end or a back to chip Anderson… to help out, basically.
The right tackle can handle Anderson all by himself.
This means the tight end can find the seem route, without having to chip down on Anderson, meaning he can find the hole in the zone quicker than her normally would.
Also, this means the backs can get to the flat quickly and take the dump pass in front of the zone for easy 5 yard completions, or, because Anderson keeps on letting himself get blocked down on screen plays, letting the backs break containment, this means that screens are going to be killer as well.
So, to answer your question, playing man would be worse.
But the defense is breaking down because Anderson isn’t pulling his weight. Not even close to pulling his weight. He’s bringing the whole defense down with him.
NIGHTRAIN04
August 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
welcome to our nightmare….NO Defense……..Curse continues…………..
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
@ TradeMark – correct me if I’m wrong, but I haven’t seen the Falcons corners try man-to-man on 3rd and long…I know it would be nice to have tall corners but I think even our short fast (but young and inexperienced) corners would have an easier time sticking with one guy the whole time than trying to execute a zone without much of pass rush…I think the qb’s in the nfl can exploit these simple zones easier than man to man…let our athletes be athletic and stop thinking, too much thinking and not enough doing if you ask me…seems we are getting “too schemey” on secondary coverage, would like to get back to basics this week in practice leading up to 1st game
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:53 pm
A defensive stop??? How nice that would be
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
9:53 pm
Hey Bad News I just have one question for you. I put all my hopes for my beloved Falcons into Vick. Vick himself admitted he was wrong and screwed the franchise. With that said, why do you feel you have to come on this blog and taunt the very people that were hurt the most by MV?
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:54 pm
And that’s the reason why the team need to RELEASE Anderson.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
Hey, folks. I’m still here. Just writing for the print edition about — guess what — the first-half defensive non-showing. Chargers had 281 yards, 255 on passes, and were seven of eight on third down. All seven of the third-down conversions came on third-and-seven or longer.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:56 pm
Defensive Detective Well, no, they don’t. Especially when there’s a personnel match up with a taller- athletic receiver. There you see plays like you do in the 1st quarter, there the receiver, despite very tight coverage, is able to just outposition and out-leap the shorter corner. Don’t get me right, Grimes has game, and leaping ability, but it has to be perfect for him to break up a pass like that. Houston’s problem is he still looks like he gets lost out there every so often.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
9:56 pm
3-13, 3-17 made…..ugh
Stan Diego
August 29th, 2009
9:57 pm
Charger fan here, living in the ATL. Other than the Falcons’ secondary getting cut down like the Anzacs at Gallipoli, the Birds looked alright. Y’all are gonna score some points. The defense was getting after Rivers – the corner blitzes were working until Norv started calling screens and things went pear-shaped. Would have *loved* to have heard the Falcons’ locker room at halftime.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:57 pm
To Concerned: Lester Hayes, maybe? Michael Haynes? Scott Case?
Another third-down conversion. Another screen. Holy cow.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:58 pm
You know, despite the Sproles 9-yard TD shred, the run defense has been stout.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:59 pm
Sidbury’s in now. Just made the tackle. He’s No. 90.
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Are there any people left n the Dome? Very quiet.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Sidbury’s very good. And a 3rd down stop…*checks lottery numbers*..nope, damn.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Other teams in the NFL are making it with short corners….not only is the pass rush key to negating yardage, but it gets in the QBs head… those laser perfect passes to those tall receivers aren’t so accurate when the QB gets his bell rung a few times….Jamal is dead weight !!
Mr C
August 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Peterson looks awful. The falcons are in trouble.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:01 pm
Your attention, please! A third-down stop. Coleman hauled down Hester a yard short of a first down. And SD misses a FG. The new Steel Curtain has just announced itself!
OK, maybe I’m a little carried away. But it’s been some time between stops.
Ryan going back in, FYI.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:02 pm
Some people have departed. I’d guess the crowd was around 50,000 earlier. There are probably 40,000 still here. But it’s quiet.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:02 pm
Sidbury clearly needs to be in and pressuring the qb-Jamaal is officially a BUST
PMC
August 29th, 2009
10:02 pm
My God this is a pathetically inept defense. These guys could not stop a powder puff team. I sure hope 9-7 is still possible, they will not be able to outscore teams with these girls.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
bodean…couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s a shame, too. Anderson is good guy. A class act. But I think an NFL bust.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
The first-team offense is in. I think Mr. Smith is attempting to set a tone.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
So who is QB #2 tonite for Falcons? And what is #3 QB race looking like? Can Shockley play CB by any chance?
PMC
August 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
I hated the Jamal Anderson pick then… but now… man he’s like an anchor dragging the team down. He is beyond worthless.
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
10:04 pm
and think…….they charge full price for this garbage! We will be lucky for a 7-9 season.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:04 pm
third ryan pick tonight…..
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
Tone not being set. Ryan almost delivers an interception, but the ball is dropped.
And William Moore has a hamstring injury.
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
Dawg fans, Paul Oliver is now on the field for the Chargers.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
Turner… you gotta TURN YO HEAD AROUND!!!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
That may well have been the worst pass I’ve ever seen Matt Ryan throw..someone missed an assignment there, either him or a receiver.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
What was NOODLE ARM doing on that pass?
I know his arm is weak, but that’s the 3rd pick 6 he has gotten away with and this is against the 3rd string defense
CLASSIC
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:06 pm
ITS PRESEASON DUDES RELAX!!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:06 pm
I know Smith wants to get something going. But would you really play Ryan any longer tonight? (I would not.)
Chargers just went to Charlie Whitehurst of Atlanta/Clemson, you should know.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:06 pm
Mark Bradley you for one should not be shocked too much in this preseason game that the DEFENSE (Which is what this organization was drafting so much) was going to go through some bumps early on.
This is preseason and we can see some problems. If I recall your prediction for this team was pretty accurate and you even stated that the team would take their lumps early on before getting things together and finish with a 10-6 record.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:07 pm
BTW BAD NEWS-you are a moron and a Vick butt boy……move to Philly and follow your criminal
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
10:08 pm
Bad News Not man enough to answer my question?
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:08 pm
offense will be fine….turner is the man….he will set the tone in the regular season, passing game will be set up by him….not worried at all…. Coach has to find a way to create pressure any way he can….
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:08 pm
Some defensive starters still in. Lofton just missed a tackle.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
10:09 pm
Bad News…
AGAIN… do you even UNDERSTAND what went wrong with that play?
Tell me what wrong with that play. Why it looked like Ryan threw it to the Charger’s defensive back.
Are you intelligent enough to understand what happened there?
I’m guessing no. You don’t know a damn thing about football.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:09 pm
MB – NO Matt and the offense has done enough…take them all out outside of the Defense which needs to be in to see which players actually are motivated.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:10 pm
I’m shocked, Driver8, not that the D had some bad moments but that it has had only bad moments. It’s not as if they were alternating good plays with bad. This has been almost all bad.
Though they did just stop Charlie Whitehurst scrambling.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:11 pm
Redman now in. Thank goodness.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
I TRUST VAN GORTER AND SMITH WILL RIGHT THE DEFENSE-RELAX EVERYONE
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
sorry guys, but I’m not making any record predictions this year… been here too many times….remember no back to back winning seasons….been a falcon fan for 41 years…..man it’s been rough….
SRF
August 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
Hey – anybody know if Vance Walker is going to play any ?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
Ryan was 14 of 20 with a passer rating of 106.2, but I wouldn’t say he had a great game.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
No fighting with Bad News..he can’t help it..they are rabid. Look I get it. Vick is spectacular as a highlight film player. He won games as a starter, despite some less than stellar numbers. And seriously, everyone, EVERYONE deserves a second chance if they mess up, no matter how big or how small. Wouldn’t you want to have that chance yourself if you found yourself in that situation? Picture it in your mind, your whole life falls apart, you would want a second shot. Whether or not he deserves it now and what he does with it is up to him now. I hope he does well in Philly. But Bad News..seriously, he is a Philadelphia Eagle now, he doesn’t need to be on this board anymore. I think you know Matt Ryan is a very good quarterback and has the potential to be on of the best. Ignoring that would be the same as me ignoring the fact that Vick is a spectacular football player. It doesn’t make sense.
Wreckin & Thrashin
August 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
YES! We stopped there 3rd string offense!
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
several bad tackle techniques tonight too….surprised to see that with coach being a defensive guy…expect betteer
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
Any idea who is coming in after Redman? If I were the Falcons I’d have backup quarter back envy.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:14 pm
D-Led says Norwood has an immobilizer on his knee. No further information has been forthcoming.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:16 pm
Hey Mark, it sounds like you were really worried about a repeat of the 2003 preseason to our QB…ok…relax…you can breathe now
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:16 pm
Bad News is posting as Mike’s “good friends” Cue T and Smoke E so its obvious that he is biased. He is just pissed or too stoned to figure out that Atlanta don’t care about MV anymore….time to move on. Obviously he hasn’t…
It’s probable that the dude hasn’t figured out that MV is in Philly.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:18 pm
Say what you will about the caliber of players out there right now. Our 2nd string D looks much, much better than our 1st….something to think about Mike Smith.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:18 pm
very glad vick is not here….not because of all the off the field crap, I just couldn’t stand riding the edge of my seat to wait see if on each play we got amazing or awful….just didn’t like his play…. i look forward to seeing him play again, and yes, everyone another chance…
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
10:18 pm
Driver… lmao!
Maybe Bad News has been hitting the Grey Goose and pineapple juice too hard like his hero.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
Fouts is an idiot. He has said we were 1-15 two yrs ago twice (we were 4-12), called Verron Haynes Vernon, and has talked endlessly about San Diego’s tough opening schedule (we play Miami, Car and NE-can’t get any tougher than that). He’s almost as dumb as BAD NEWS.
Peion Deion
August 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
Defense is gonna be a problem again this year against good offenses, gonna have to outscore the competition
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
Finneran is a keeper. No doubt.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:20 pm
4th quarter and its not looking any better
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
TRADEMARK – Nicely said … just can’t stand the fact that some folks can’t pull for the Falcons because he is not here. It’s foolish talk by them i understand but for some reason it seems a racial divine that this city … thank GOD does not have to deal with anymore.
Best wishes to Michael in Philly although to this day I don’t understand the mix with McNabb. Yes, I have heard everything but still kinda strange.
I just want the FALCON fan base to back THIS team and not worry about the past… we all know we have not had back to back winning seasons ever.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
SonicBoom, my point exactly about vick….remember how average finn was with vick here….now he’s a great 3rd down receiver…. vick forced his receivers to adjust too much… a lot of drops out of finn and jenkins…. both look like keepers now….
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:23 pm
It is really, really wonderful to see a healthy Finneran out there. Good for you man!
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:23 pm
Don’t you wish you had paid me now? It’s not like this is the first time Houston has gotten beat like a red headed stepchild! I watched his a55 struggle all last year too!
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:24 pm
honest question here….how old was foxworth?
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
sorry… is foxworth?
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
Redman looks sharp as hell.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
Now I get to play for a real defense with areal NFL coordinator! Watch me roar! FIRE Van Gorder he sux!
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
I’m sorry guys, I don’t know what I was thinking – this was an outstanding performance
We were talking about the Chargers – right?
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:26 pm
26 27 lost count too busy covering my man!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:26 pm
There is a youth movement on the Atlanta D…bingo night has been cancelled Foxworth…sorry
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:27 pm
funny….
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:27 pm
Finally a “REAL” qb wearing red – Redman should be the starter!
Robert Reagin
August 29th, 2009
10:27 pm
nice good of patience by Redman.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
Hey Redman! TD was cool but can you pay CB? We need some insurance!
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
Wow. #27 pancaked his man on that touchdown to help free Redman. Nice.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
BUGKILLER – Ya know I really hate to post things like that about Vick… I really do. I supported him and thought he could take us places etc….
But those days are over and I HAVE MOVED ON.
I really love this team and the front office who runs it. We will go much further this way than the later talk.
GO FALCONS!
I say no more talk about that poster and our ex qb. Lets focus on the team at hand and a successful future!
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
BAD NEWS IS DUMB AS A STUMP
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Redman scrambles for a touchdown. It’s 21-20. So why does this game still feel lopsided, and not in a good way?
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Honest answer btw, Foxworth is not really that old, Born in 1983 in Oxford England
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
I wonder if Atlanta wants to reconsider Sean Jones (Univ of Georgia & Georgia grown) to sign to play for the Falcons but they whiffed on him. Well the Eagles did not and we will get too see him upfront and in person along with Vick in December. WOW!! These DB SUCK alot.
Mitch
August 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Nice block in the backfield by Thomas Brown (looked like tb). He followed his block through and drove his man into the ground to spring Redman. That’s fun football.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:30 pm
I’m a Ryan groupie – I love noodle armed losers
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:30 pm
If your second-team defense is actually better than the starters, it might be time to tear up the ol’ depth chart.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:31 pm
Mark…it’s because there is a haze hanging in the Dome from the first half defense. Mostly char-grilled.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:31 pm
Mark because our first string was beat like a drum.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
Bad News…. I think you just love limp noodle
Eman
August 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
Bad News, Please shut da hell up !!! Vick is gone get over it!!!! This is coming from an true falcons fan and black man.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
I think they need to seriously, seriously consider starting Sidbury and Bierman at the very least.
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
Driver8 You are right. I won’t feed the trolls either. Go Falcons!
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
MArk Bradley make sure you BLAST the DB in tomorrows edition. We really missed out on some taller CB’s in this years draft. It’s gonna be a long year!!
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
Eddiedawg … you are absolutely right! This is freakin preseason for crying out loud. It will get ironed out before MIAMI folks. This is why we do this. … Thank you Eddiedawg for bringing up the obvious! and also GO DAWGS!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
That’s the problem with trolls, voice of reason goes in one ear and straight into a septic tank.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:34 pm
Ryan sucks so much, he can replace a vacuum.
Go Redman (true starter).
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:34 pm
Driver8 are you kidding me, you do realize that Miami has some two decent RB’s and some decent WR’s. This defense is not gonna scare anyone after other NFL teams look at this tape.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:35 pm
See, I told you Bad News likes noodles…
Russ
August 29th, 2009
10:35 pm
When you have a laser arm like Vick, you can complete four passes for a total of 19 yds. Impressive!!!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:36 pm
You know, the CB play of Grimes was pretty bad, Houston was…there really isn’t a good word for it, and it really all starts with the pass rush. On 3rd and long, the QB shouldn’t have time to inhale, let alone sit in a pocket. And the mid-range LBs HAVE to be able to contain the screen, not get caught in no-man’s land.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:37 pm
One other thing if i might add …. the attacks on our DCoord. Brian Van Gorder has nothing and I mean NOTHTING to do with what he did with UGA. As a UGA alum I would not post anything in his defense or whatever.
This site is the ATLANTA FALCONS and I would hope we can keep it that way with all fans no mater who they pull for. Just a thought.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:37 pm
OK, let’s have a show of hands. Are you worried about this defense?
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:37 pm
Cedrick, defense is vanilla in preseason…. It’s going to be tough early, but we’ll be OK
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:38 pm
Guess ole Matty Ice will be watching the playoffs in Grandma Ryan’s living room
I see no difference in him and Joey Harrington. Neither one of them won any playoff games
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:38 pm
*Hands* But i think they get better as every game goes by. They are young. That’s what young starters (generally) do.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
APB for Stephen Nicholas……………………
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
Bodean, I know defense is vanilla in the preseason but you still have to be able to hold down your position. Now tell me which one of the DB has held down their postion tonight????
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
hands….but i agree with trademark
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
Cedrick … I will panic when we do this in the regular season. Don’t get all out of shape over this. This is what the coaches and staff need to see. It’s PRESESASON my freind and just that.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
cut Browt
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
Yes, Mark. I’m worried. Even if it is the pre-season, having an opposing offense convert on 3rd down and 10+ yards multiple times is very troubling. I’m sure Mike Smith is pissed.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
cut Brown
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Bodean, I know this is preseason and most units are going to be vanilla. Now you tell me which one of the DB’s did their job and protected their starting job tonight???
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
This is finally looking like a preseason game. 21-20….against a possible AFC SuperBowl team..could be better, could be worse.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Brown
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
Vick coulda played corner! Is Deion still thinkin about a comeback?
TB
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
show of hands…feel like I’m in grade school “Yes, Mr Bradley. We are concerned about the defense. But, Mr B, isn’t that a rhetorical question? And furthermore, who needs rhetorical questions?”
SRF
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
yes Mark – worried
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
cedrick, I still say average corners can be made up for with a pass rush…got to find one….
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
..you know, like the starting D could have come out and forgot their pants or soemthing…just saying.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
Dear Lord please let some good Defensive backs get cut frrom other teams. Amen
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
Mark Bradley – I say NO hands here … it cant and wont be this bad. Too much talent and young yes, will it be exposed at times probably will it get better absolutely just give em time. That was your collumn MB.
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:43 pm
Again, who in the defensive backfield did their job and protected their job TONIGHT?? None of them!!!!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:43 pm
The trouble with getting better as they go — which I’m fairly certain the Falcons will — is that the schedule is front-loaded this time. No Detroit in Week 1 and Kansas City two weeks later.
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:43 pm
I am very worried.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:44 pm
Mark
I have a better question:
What was the redzone percentage while Matty Ice was in there?
Also……….
How many near picks did he throw tonight? I counted 3.
That’s not what you want from an NFL starter. Maybe that’s why it took 5 years to graduate
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:44 pm
Only Bright spot on D is Kroy Bierman! At least he is hustling and fighting through the traffic. We need two tandems: CBs and LBs. The middle of the field has been ok. We are getting killed by perimeter play!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:44 pm
Both Chris Vivlamore and I just laughed at your last comment, Toccoa. And we’re both churchgoers.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
If they expect to get off to some early season wins, they will have to lean very heavily on the offense. But honestly, honestly, if I had to have an offense to lean on, this one is one of them.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
Biermann has looked OK. And Owens just showed some speed. Of course, he made the tackle 42 yards downfield.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
Think Atlanta will try to trade for me? At least I know the defense!
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
Start Owens at corner. Nice walkdown.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
oh wow–that run takes the cake! What an exclamation point on a horrific display by the defense…THIS defense combined with the schedule they have to play may make for a LONG year
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
I’m thinking Sidbury might be getting some serious minutes soon.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
Sidbury is BEAST
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
Wow. I am starting to believe I could convert a third and long on this defense.
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
LOL, that was funny Mark Bradley.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
MB – I actually to receive the AJC rag ( Im one of the few i know ) but you stated that the early season would be very tough. The Falcons wouldnt make the run until the last 6 or 7 games.
Mitch
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
Worried about coverage. We got pressure when we wanted it with blitzes, but that coverage was awful. That being the case, we can’t blitz like we need to to get pressure.
That being said, Abe was not full throttle, and I agree with bodean, it was kept very vanilla on purpose, and they were experimenting with some d line combos and rotation. Jamaal is not going to make it. He might get cut.
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
At least Tony Gilbert is playing well.
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
wondering if the Falcons can sign the defensive back all stars from the former Arena League to the practice squad to check them out if there are no NFL d-back trades to be had
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
ok ok Add a backup MLB to the list. Call Derrick Brooks. He77, while you are at it. See if we can get Simeon Rice out of his arena league contract!
TB
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
Fran Tarkenton falling out of his bed in the morning converts a third and long on this starting D.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
And you folks are correct when you say teams don’t do a lot, scheme-wise, in preseason. But I’m not thinking San Diego did a whole bunch new offensively, either.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
Mark, I’m concerned that the Falcons won’t cut the player who’s bringing the whole defense down, Jamaal Anderson, because of his draft status.
Seriously, I’m no genius, but I pretty well explained how Anderson is destroying the Falcons’ defensive scheme with his lackadaisical play, his slow motor, and his general ignorance of how to play defensive end.
And is it true that McKay actually drafted this guy without seeing him work out, or having him in for a work out?
The Falcons could have gotten Okoye for crying out loud!!!
Seriously, make Davis the starter, and the WHOLE defense, INCLUDING the secondary improves.
ONE MAN is bringing down the whole defense.
Hmmm. Where have I seen that happen before? Hmmm.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
10:48 pm
Thanks DRIVER8 and others for saying the obvious-this is PRESEASON. Please keep this in perspective, guys. Mike Smith is EVALUATING. And I trust him-he and Van Gorter are PISSED. WE WILL BE FINE ON DEFENSE!
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
foxworth…. i don’t think any of our corners over the past 20 years can be called “shut down” corners, including sanders, that idiot we sent to oakland… and you…. wish we could just find a corner that could cover somebody and shut their mouth….
Darrin "The Vent King"
August 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
From here on out, I’m calling them our “seconary” cause there’s no “d” in it…
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
Thanks for your patronage, Driver8. And I have counseled patience, and I will again. But I was taken aback by this first half.
Driver8
August 29th, 2009
10:50 pm
MB – I actually to receive the AJC rag ( Im one of the few i know ) but you stated that the early season would be very tough. The Falcons wouldnt make the run until the last 6 or 7 games.
10-6 is what you said and NFC South Champs. I thought that was pretty solid. Don’t get the sharks a swimming so fast with your posts…. ugly night doesnt mean an ugly thing.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:51 pm
Is there anyone in the Falcon’s locker room postgame Mark that can tell me if even one of the Defensive Starters is holding their head up? If there is…they need to be moved to the 2nd string…and immediately.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:51 pm
SD with an FG. It’s 24-20 with 2:07 left. Will Redman finish? And if he does, what does that mean for DJS and JPW?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:52 pm
I don’t think we can blame Anderson for everything, BugKiller. He didn’t even play much of the first quarter.
Good line, Darrin.
Redman goes in.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:53 pm
I think DJS might be all done. He doesn’t fit the offensive scheme, no matter how talented he is.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
10:54 pm
Can anybody tell me why there are so many Eagle number 7 jerseys for sale in Atlanta?
That’s weird
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:55 pm
Mark, the problem is, Jamal should have been….He was a high draft pick….He should have been in for about three series with about three qb hurries and 1 sack and off the field….instead, no hunger, no guts…..
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:56 pm
Speaking of Arena players … Troy Bergeron just caught a ball.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:56 pm
Nothing San Diego has done has been complicated. The D just sucked!
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
10:56 pm
Even though Matty Ice can sling the rock around, I am looking for VERY LONG offensive possesions with tons of running and very short TE passes to keep the clock moving to win games this year because this falcom defense is going to need long breaks on the bench and then come flying at the QB with a crazy blitz ratio to try to screw up opposing offenses…still think the coaches should try more man to man coverage, even with our short CB’s, would rather force the QB to throw a perfect high ball than those easy “dump it into the zone’s seam” lobs that have been killing us
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
10:57 pm
Yes, again, I know it’s preseason. But you should NOT be seeing opposing offenses converting on MULTIPLE 3rd and 10+ yards on the 1st team defense. Would have been better to see those kind of breakdowns in the first preseason game, not the third preseason game.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:57 pm
Nice drive by Redman. Falcons could win this thing. Which would be weird.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:57 pm
Redman is SHARP. He just locked up the backup roll.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
I’m not going to defend Jamaal Anderson. (Well, not much.) He has had chances.
NRBQ
August 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
I’m just glad this one’s almost over.
If for no other reason, no more expert, genius, I’m a frickin’ authority on defense posts from Bugkiller.
Needle-Probiscus Techsters are easier to digest.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
Amen Mark, we don’t deserve to win this one. That is definitely an effect of the preseason.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
sonicboom…agreed
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
I know.
But in the end, he was on the field for most of those 3rd down plays.
He was the DE who let himself get blocked out of the play and lost containment on the corner on the screen that went for the TD.
When you play a Cover 2, it is imperative that your line can get a rush. Your blitzes have to be called when needed, and we know BVG has a good feel for when to call a blitz.
But you need to get a rush with your down 4.
Anderson’s presence on the field impacts so much more than just trying to get pressure. Tight ends and backs can release without having to chip him because the opposing team KNOWS their tackle can handle him easily.
I mean, I actually saw Anderson doing some ridiculous things with his hands that looked like patty-cake with the right tackle.
He has no moves, his footwork is sloppy, and he gets no leverage, which is why he finds himself on the ground a lot.
If you’re only as strong as your weakest link, Anderson is the weakest link I’ve seen on an Atlanta defense since Booker was roaming the secondary.
Yeah, he’s THAT bad.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
10:59 pm
“Redman needs to get into the endzone in just 1;45″ niiiiiice call there Fouts…
bodean
August 29th, 2009
10:59 pm
any word on norwood?
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
10:59 pm
Hey, that screwup Van Gorder had me playing safety til it was obvious I was the best they had! Wonder if Willliam Moore can play corner at this level??????????????????
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:00 pm
It comes down to this: Fourth down at the 17, five yards to go.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:01 pm
And Redman converts to Bergeron again. First down, 1:01 left, ball on the 7.
bodean
August 29th, 2009
11:01 pm
did bergiron? just make the team
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:01 pm
NRBQ, are you saying you didn’t learn anything?
LOL. I guess, you know, it’s better the read ignorance coming from people who don’t know football then someone actually trying to explain why things went wrong.
But hey, can’t please everyone.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:02 pm
Redman to TB again. Ball on the 2.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:02 pm
Redman is the TRUE starter!!!!!
Bench Ryan.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:02 pm
ATLANTA needs serious help on the corners. At conrnerback and LB. After tonight, I would even take Brooking back!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:03 pm
W. Moore hurt his hamstring. And there’s been no further info on Norwood.
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
11:03 pm
if Bergeron can play in this league than there are definitely CB’s from arena that we need to bring up
Justin
August 29th, 2009
11:03 pm
Coaches dont gameplan for preseason I dont konw why everyone is ready to sell their tickets. Since when is preseason a precursor to the season?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:03 pm
Verron Haynes stopped on a dive. No Hobnail Boot, as D-Led just said.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:04 pm
Chris has looked good!
Robert Reagin
August 29th, 2009
11:04 pm
Bad News: Redman’s good play just means MV7 would be the 3rd stringer on this team.
Justin
August 29th, 2009
11:04 pm
Norwood is back on the sideline and laughing. Cant be to serious!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
Redman dumped with 14 seconds remaining. Fourth down.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
If we do win this game, Mark, can you maybe see that as an example of how we can still win despite the D?
Snackman
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
Mark,
What are the positives you’ve seen from tonite? The negatives?
bodean
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
done…win
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
Nice drive by Redman and company
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
Mark, I know many people are making fun of Dan Fouts for his usual schtick of explaining the obvious (which he poked fun of in the immortal, “The Waterboy”)…
… but you know what? It’s STILL better than listening to Joe Buck.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
OK, Redman deserved to win this one
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
I think it’s JPW and Redman 2 and 3
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
Falcons win! Redman beats blitz and hits Bergeron in the back of the end zone. A miracle!
OK, not really. Also pretty durn misleading, IMHO. But better than losing.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
FALCONS WIN. ARE WE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL NOW YOU HATERS?? ALL THAT BAD DEF AND WE STILL WON!
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
weems just made the team!
bodean
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
come on guys…. we did deserve that win…. our second and third teamers worked hard…. i think we’re a better team than sd
SonicBoom
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
There are gonna be some hard decisions to make on who gets cut on the offense. Great drive.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
REDMAN TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Mr. Number 1 starter………..
BENCH RYAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
And all 157 people were there to see the come from behind win. Yes Mark you can use that in tomorrows paper.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:07 pm
The positives: The second-team offense pulled it out, and the second-team defense didn’t collapse.
The negatives: Well, you witnessed them, same as I did.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
11:07 pm
SEE WE CAN OVERCOME BAD DEFENSE!
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
11:07 pm
AND IT WAS WEEMS, BRADLEY
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:07 pm
Sorry. Weems caught the winner. Not Bergeron. I’m just so excited I’m making stuff up.
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
11:08 pm
Thank goodness.
Robert Reagin
August 29th, 2009
11:08 pm
Time to trade some receiving talent for DB’s.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:08 pm
OFFENSE GETS A BIG UPS! DEFENSE IS GONNA HAVE A LONG WEEK NEXT WEEK, ASSUMING THEY DON”T GET CUT FIRST!
Justin
August 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
This isnt a precursor guys. Its not time to hit the panic button. Wait till the first couple weeks when the coaches actually put together defensive game plans!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
We CAN win just on relying on the O. We have one of the most talented Offenses in the NFL. But the D really needs to get better and fast.
SRF
August 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
Looks to me like the offense is deep with good talent – good thing for a long season.
Defense – well not so much
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
Headed downstairs. Here’s what I wrote for print.
I’ll see what I find out about Norwood.
IslandDawg
August 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
Did we just win this game? Unreal, and great job by Redman!!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
11:10 pm
*outta here* Had fun guys! GO FALCONS! Mark, really looking forward to your column man!
*out*
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:11 pm
That was was convincing enough for me – I’m going right now and buy my superbowl ticket
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:15 pm
I had three tackles tonight and held the Cowboys in check. You guys are gonna miss me!
PMC
August 29th, 2009
11:15 pm
really nice play from Redman and the receivers. He looks sharp so hopefully he can reliably back up Ryan this year. Since the pass rush is going to be virtually non existant. I sure hope they find at least one veteran CB from somewhere.
RA
August 29th, 2009
11:20 pm
The expression on Arthur Blanks face at the end said everything. They deserved to lose.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:23 pm
FROM ESPN:
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Long ago, I learned not to read too much into preseason games. I saw Tampa Bay teams coached by Sam Wyche look good in the preseason and then hit double-digit losses in the regular season.
But I am going to take one thing seriously out of Saturday night’s preseason game between the Falcons and Chargers. That’s the Atlanta defense.
It didn’t look good at all and that’s a growing reason for concern. We all knew the Falcons would be entering this season with five new starters on defense and that means there is going to be some transition.
But shouldn’t we be seeing some positive signs by now? Probably. But we haven’t. In the only preseason game that really matters (because the starters play a fair amount), Atlanta’s defense struggled. Yes, San Diego has a good offense, but LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t even playing. It didn’t matter because the Chargers barely ran the ball.
They were throwing it and throwing it very well. In the first half, the Chargers had somewhere around 250 passing yards. That’s not good news for any defense and every offensive coordinator the Falcons face in the regular season will be watching the video blueprint of how to carve up Atlanta’s defense.
The Falcons aren’t going to go out and blow up their defense at the end of the preseason. They’re going with what they’ve got and that’s a little scary. They could have gone out and grabbed some blue-chip defensive backs in the offseason. But they didn’t.
They’re going with Brent Grimes and Chris Houston as their starting cornerbacks and Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud as their starting safeties, for better or worse. If the Falcons are going to make the best of this, they need to do some of the same things they do with their offensive line. They don’t have a tremendous amount of talent there, but they make the most of it because they hide their weaknesses.
They need to do the same thing with the secondary. The best way to do that is with a pass rush. They’ve got an elite rusher in John Abraham, but they need more than that. They need third-year pro Jamaal Anderson to step up from the very start of the season. Anderson was a top 10 pick in 2007 and he’ll be on the bench if he doesn’t start quickly.
The Falcons have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury and Kroy Biermann as alternatives to Anderson. One, or some combination, of all those defensive ends will have to step up or the secondary really might be in trouble.
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
11:23 pm
HEY RA THEY DIDN’T. THEY WON. MEANINGLESS, THOUGH-IT’S PRESEASON!!!!
eddiedawg
August 29th, 2009
11:24 pm
BAD NEWS-go buy your superbowl tix and PRAY your buttboy Vick makes it there. Loser.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
11:25 pm
FROM ESPN:
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Long ago, I learned not to read too much into preseason games. I saw Tampa Bay teams coached by Sam Wyche look good in the preseason and then hit double-digit losses in the regular season.
But I am going to take one thing seriously out of Saturday night’s preseason game between the Falcons and Chargers. That’s the Atlanta defense.
It didn’t look good at all and that’s a growing reason for concern. We all knew the Falcons would be entering this season with five new starters on defense and that means there is going to be some transition.
But shouldn’t we be seeing some positive signs by now? Probably. But we haven’t. In the only preseason game that really matters (because the starters play a fair amount), Atlanta’s defense struggled. Yes, San Diego has a good offense, but LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t even playing. It didn’t matter because the Chargers barely ran the ball.
They were throwing it and throwing it very well. In the first half, the Chargers had somewhere around 250 passing yards. That’s not good news for any defense and every offensive coordinator the Falcons face in the regular season will be watching the video blueprint of how to carve up Atlanta’s defense.
The Falcons aren’t going to go out and blow up their defense at the end of the preseason. They’re going with what they’ve got and that’s a little scary. They could have gone out and grabbed some blue-chip defensive backs in the offseason. But they didn’t.
They’re going with Brent Grimes and Chris Houston as their starting cornerbacks and Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud as their starting safeties, for better or worse. If the Falcons are going to make the best of this, they need to do some of the same things they do with their offensive line. They don’t have a tremendous amount of talent there, but they make the most of it because they hide their weaknesses.
They need to do the same thing with the secondary. The best way to do that is with a pass rush. They’ve got an elite rusher in John Abraham, but they need more than that. They need third-year pro Jamaal Anderson to step up from the very start of the season. Anderson was a top 10 pick in 2007 and he’ll be on the bench if he doesn’t start quickly.
The Falcons have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury and Kroy Biermann as alternatives to Anderson. One, or some combination, of all those defensive ends will have to step up or the secondary really might be in trouble.
Goldenglove002
August 29th, 2009
11:28 pm
TD and Mike Smith and Co. are going to have one hell of a time trying to sort out which recievers make this team if they keep playing like they were tonight. Bergeron, Weems, Ferguson, Booker all looked great, and thats in addition to White, Finneran, Jenkins.
Harry Douglas who?
Traver
August 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
Didn’t we end last year blowing a 3rd and long? They shredded our defense. I am sorry but still have zero confidence in BVG. I know it is just preseason and we are young but converting a 3rd-10, 3rd-17, and 3rd-24 in the same half of football shouldn’t happen period. We could wake up week 4 and be 1 and 3 if we don’t get that straightened out. No easy ones this year.
Injury Report
August 29th, 2009
11:43 pm
Questionable – J. Norwood (ATL): Hit by Tito Santana flying forearm
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:50 pm
Back from the locker room: No updates on Norwood or William Moore.
Smith was obviously displeased with his starting defense but stressed it’s a team defense, not just the defensive backs. And he said he was actually encouraged by the play on first and second downs. As for third down … he said an offense will be happy to complete 10 percent of its throws on third-and-10-plus, and Rivers/Volek seemed to complete all of theirs.
Live from the Dome: It's a Matty Ice anniversary! | Mark Bradley | Latest Information
August 30th, 2009
12:43 am
[...] Read more at http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/08/29/live-from-the-dome-its-a-matty-ice-anniversary/?cx... [...]
Twitter Trackbacks for Live from the Dome: It's a Matty Ice anniversary! | Mark Bradley [ajc.com] on Topsy.com
August 30th, 2009
6:46 am
[...] Live from the Dome: It’s a Matty Ice anniversary! | Mark Bradley blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/08/29/live-from-the-dome-its-a-matty-ice-anniversary – view page – cached Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that it was a year ago the Falcons convinced themselves they could get away with starting rookie Matt Ryan at quarterback. — From the page [...]
America's Best, UF
August 31st, 2009
7:01 am
It looked like DeAngelo (Toast)Hall was back in the Falcons secondary! Pitiful! Sorry excuse for professional atheletes! Dimitrioff is a smart guy. Surely he understands that you win with Defense. You put fans in the stands with exciting OFFENSE.
Overly Optimististic
August 31st, 2009
10:39 am
A late comment for bigeasy830:
Your right, most great QB’s were never one and done in the playoffs,
because most great QB’s didn’t make the playoffs in their rookie year.
NP though, because your 4-12 prediction establishes your level of bias in the matter.
Chargers Game Live
September 1st, 2009
8:03 pm
[...] Rookie WR blown up on big hit by San Diego DB Steve Gregory. Butler pops right up, … Live from the Dome: It's a Matty Ice anniversary!I'm at home here in the WNC mountains and just had a fright – I have been waiting for this [...]
The Hot Button: Who's the biggest dud in local sports? | Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2009
10:32 am
[...] — or blame, as the case may be — for this entry. This tangent arose on Saturday’s live chat off the Falcons’ defensive collapse, and I thought it would make a nice Hot Button. (Or Cold Button, as the case may [...]