5 reasons not to panic over the Falcons just yet
1. There are still six wins on the schedule. To enumerate: Two against Tampa Bay, one more against Carolina, home victories over Washington and Buffalo and a road victory over the Jets. That would make 10, and 10 generally gets you into the playoffs. And the Philadelphia game here — maybe you’ve heard some discussion about it — on Dec. 6 is a tossup. That would make 11, which would make the Falcons a postseason lock.
2. There’s room for growth everywhere. This is a polite way of saying the Falcons aren’t tearing it up in any single category. They’re 19th in the NFL in total offense, and they should be in the top 10. They’re 25th in total defense, which is one spot down from last season, which was to be expected with the changes made on D. Given the losses of Peria Jerry and Brian Williams, it will be hard for this defense to improve much this season. But the offense should have some breakout games in it, which would give the Falcons a puncher’s chance against anybody.
3. Jason Snelling looked good against Dallas. And that’s a major consideration, seeing that Jerious Norwood is still hurting (hip flexor this time) and Michael Turner is beginning to resemble a one-year wonder. Turner is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, down a full yard off last season’s yield. Put simply, that yard is the difference between second-and-four and second-and-five. Either the Burner gets it going or Snelling gets a longer look.
4. This staff is not Jim Mora’s staff. Mora and Co. were fine so long as nothing went wrong but clueless when something inevitably did. There are fine coaches working in Flowery Branch now — Mike Smith, Mike Mularkey, Brian VanGorder, Sugar Bear Hamilton, Paul Boudreau — and they’ll fix as much as coaches possibly can. And then, if that isn’t enough, Thomas Dimitroff will go to work come February 2010.
5. Remember when we kept saying this might be a better team with a worse record? It still might. The aggregate record of the Falcons’ six opponents is 19-18. Their first six opponents last season were 14-20. There haven’t been any Detroits or Kansas Citys on this schedule, but things will get easier in December. The Falcons are going to lose more games — they’ll lose Monday night in the Superdome — but they’ll manage that breakthrough winning season and they’ll make the playoffs. Keep the faith.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
219 comments Add your comment
FalconUGAFan
October 28th, 2009
8:00 am
Ok so back to the Falcons. The team messed up last year by going 11-5 (curse and a blessing). Now we all have the expectation that they will improve the win loss record, but their schedule is tougher. They did it with smoke and mirrors last year. They added some horses but injuries are starting to pile up a bit. With that said. I think they will break the winning season curse and continue to improve if we don’t start freaking out on them.
Atticus
October 28th, 2009
8:03 am
Problems:
1-Turner is doing nothing, he is SO slow to the hole
2-Norwood always is hurt
3-Our drafts picks are hurt
4-We have no CBs
5-We have no pass rush
Footnote: Was it me or were our WRs never open against Dallas?
Dr. M
October 28th, 2009
8:13 am
After reading the Blog and thinking over the Dallas game for the last couple of days, I have a few thoughts. First, everyone has heard that “the best defense is a good offense.” In the Dallas game, Ryan and the offense had 3 interceptions, 4 sacks, 1 fumble, multiple 3 and outs, and did not control the clock. This obviously put too much pressure on the defense and made them look worse than they are. Even though they are still a work in progress. Secondly, I have been arguing with my son since last year that Snelling is a better Back than Turner. He is faster, quicker, more determined, moves the pile better than Turner. He plays with more emotion and enthusiasm. In short, Snelling needs to start.
NCFalconFan
October 28th, 2009
8:15 am
Can we please let Foxworth go. Has anyone notice how he is playing in Baltimore? The Ravens pass defense is near the bottom as well, I’m glad we didn’t committ that much money to him. However the Brent Grimes experiement should have ended last year.
I wish we would be more aggressive in free agency and trades. You don’t bring in a Tony Gonzalez and don’t expect big things to happen. When Brian Williams went down we should have been looking hard to fill his spot instead of filling spots with previous rejects.
Blue Fender
October 28th, 2009
8:19 am
Why don’t we wait to see how the season plays out before we start chopping off heads. Every team has bad games (look at the Pats agains the Jets earlier). The Patriot blogs were filled with doom and gloom and the Jets blogs were full of misplaced hope (as usual). I guarantee if the Falcons upset the Saints, most of you naysaying goobers will be shouting “Superbowl” at the top of your lungs.
MILTON
October 28th, 2009
8:25 am
Matt Ryan needs to bark-out more at his teammates and back-it-up with more of his own toughness. Linebackers and safeties need to read the slants better to help support the corners and make those receivers pay for coming across the middle. Matt need to go deep at least 3-6 times
more every game to keep safetys away from the line of scrimage.
But SHE said...
October 28th, 2009
8:33 am
Who the hell do you expect to pick up mid-season off the street that isn’t a previous reject? Deion or Rod Woodson? Must be something wrong with McAlister ’cause nobody has picked him up. Probably just O.L.D. disease. Injuries happen- you just have to hope that your depth steps up. Snelling has, now let’s see who steps up in the secondary. Hill and Jackson definitely need some game action.
FalconUGAFan
October 28th, 2009
8:38 am
Yea thats my question. It’s hard to believe the TD doesn’t spend a good part of his day looking for new/different personnel. The players we have are well…..the players we have. Td is always making a move, but I doubt he is going to spend a tremendous amount of money to pull in a veteran free agent. Not his style.
Darth Urinator
October 28th, 2009
8:40 am
5 Other Reasons NOT To Panic Over Falcons (Yet)</strong
5. Roddy White’s test results came back negative…. for now.
4. The latest sexual harassment lawsuit against Arthur Blank has been tentatively dropped.
3 The Falcons can still trade for Vick in the offseason.
2. It is still over a month until the Falcons get the “Pearl Harbor Treatment” from Philly
1. Matt Ryan hasn’t failed a drug test yet.
greg
October 28th, 2009
8:40 am
The schedule is very difficult with all the teams they play coming off by weeks. 9 and 7 would be a great record.
Reid Adair
October 28th, 2009
8:41 am
Very good points, Mark. While I was disappointed with the overall performance in the Dallas game, I really wasn’t that surprised that the Falcons lost. The defense is very young, and they’re still learning.
When the schedule came out, everyone knew this was going to be the tough stretch, with six of eight games on the road. I am confident that Coach Smith and his staff will use the Dallas game as a learning experience, and the team will get better. As you mentioned with #4, that simply did not happen in the past.
An Observation
October 28th, 2009
8:49 am
Don’t you just love all the fair weather (band wagon) fans. The team is currently 4-2, not 2-4. They will win more and lose more this year so get use to it. They will still have an overall winning season this year!!!! GO FALCONS!!!!
Darth Urinator
October 28th, 2009
8:59 am
THE REAL “MARK BRADLEY” QUESTION HERE FOR THIS BLOG SHOULD BE….
Would the Falcons be better off drafting TIM TEBOW next year or talking HERSCHEL WALKER into coming out of retirement next season to don red and black for the people of Georgia once more?
Andy Smith
October 28th, 2009
9:23 am
I do not agree that Turner is a one year wonder. WIthout Norwood to stretch the field laterally, the opposing defenses only need shut Turner down in the middle. If we had a back fast enough to get on the outside to take the pressure off then I believe we would see the old Turner back.
You are all idiots
October 28th, 2009
9:23 am
I love it how after a 2 game winning streak, we don’t hear anything from these retards, but after a road loss to a talented team (who were coming off a bye, had their backs against the wall, and had admitted that this game was going to make or break the season) all of the sudden the Falcons are terrible and are going to lose the rest of their games. GET AN F-ING CLUE, PEOPLE!!!! We are 4-2 and have 10 games left in the season, 5 of which are against absolutely TERRIBLE teams (Tampa twice, Washington, Buffalo, Carolina) If we only win those, we will have a winning season…if we steal one more, then we are probably going to the playoffs.
And if I here one more thing about how awesome Vick was I’m going to scream…I admit, he started out great and I was as big a fan as anyone. But once people figured out how to take the run away from him, we all saw the truth, he is a mediocre passer, who couldn’t win games with his arm…which is what a quarterback is supposed to do. I love how you refuse to mention his final two seasons playing in Atlanta, when he went 15-17, no playoffs, had a terrible QB rating, and didn’t go to any pro bowls…not to mention the last year he spent on the team…WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL!!!! Why do you support this clown? His career is basically over, he barely sees the field in Philly and when he does, nothing happens. Nobody cares about him. He is nothing. And people who keep living in the past obviously have no lives of their own and live a very very sad existence.
You know Ryan is better. There is no argument.
Terrell
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Harvard Blue
Ans to Problem 1. Have you seen Foxworth this year? He’s not worth the 16 million in guarenteed money the Ravens are getting him.
Ans to Problem 2. There aren’t too many shutdown corners in the NFL. A good secondary depends on its front 7. No pass rush means more time for the QB to read and the DB to cover. That’s too much
Ans. to Problem 3. Knee jerk reactions are not going to help this team win. You just continue to be a critical fan and let these guys handle their job, because that is what it is a job. If you had a great year and the following year you were struggling would you get fired? The boss knows what he has and is giving you the confidence you will figure it out.
Ans to Problem 4 Okay it’s either throw passes away and play the field position game or be like Jay Cutler and throw 3-5 picks a game. The choice is yours.
Terrell
October 28th, 2009
9:34 am
Matt “Choke” Ryan,
When Vick was here he had:
Pro Bowl Running Back: Warrick Dunn
Pro Bowl Tight End: Alge Crumpler
More improved coaches: This is relative. At that time Mora and Company was the best staff we had.
More improved Offensive Linemen: That line helped us lead the league in rushing for a few seasons when Vick was in Atlanta.
Vick was not the better player. Better athlete? Yes, but you continue to live in the past if you want to. He wasn’t a great passer and because his work ethic was terrible. You can look at his 60 minutes interview to hear him say he was lazy. In Vick’s 2nd year(first year starting) we went 9-6-1. Ryan in his 1st year (1st year starting) we went 11-5. I know common sense isn’t your strongest trait but you can try to use it at least once.
Terrell
October 28th, 2009
9:42 am
People seem to forget why teams have training camps and OTAs. It takes all that time to learn a playbook. You all keep saying TD do this and TD bring in that person. I played in a Pro Style Offense in high school with all the motions and routes and formations. It’s hard. Then I went to college and it was twice as hard, now just imagining doubling the playbook you learned in college. It’s like saying lets bring in somebody who has a similar position as you but doesn’t know how certain things are done in your office. It takes time for them to acclimate themselves even though they have the same position title. If it’s hard for them think about a CB who has to go full speed in a defense he doesn’t know.
PMC
October 28th, 2009
9:47 am
At least we feel like we have a good coaching staff who don’t often make the same mistakes twice. Lofton has been a bright spot. Peterson is making plays. Special Teams has largely been great. We are razor thin at Nose Tackle. Trey Lewis has to play better. Thomas Johnson has to continue to hang in there. Abe has to start working back inside like he did against Jake Long. They need to get thier hands up. I know they are going to have to play zone so maybe if they can just tackle well and make hits count and have one guy strip it out while the other guy tackles…. gang tackle…. play with furious anger.
I’m proud of them win or lose but I hope they can take some of the away crowd noise and let it pump them up. Boos and silence are good.
PMC
October 28th, 2009
9:53 am
Chris Owens looks like a good fast and athletic player. We know Tye Hill can run and he’s talented if he’s healthy which he wasn’t for most of his Rams career.
It shows the level headedness of our staff that they will not force guys out there and send them to the wolves without them being prepared to play (remember petrino with leftwich) They knew what they were doing with Foxworth last year and they got the best out of him. Tye Hill is more talented than Foxworth.
We knew our young defense was going to have growing pains… that means some weeks (Chicago, Miami) they will carry the team and others (New England, Dallas) they will struggle. It’s ok, the offense just has to start carrying the team. They have to start giving Turner some room to work with let him run some not just stretch plays where he’s been being caught from behind this year..
Saints Fan
October 28th, 2009
9:53 am
Wow!!! Came over here for a temperature check and am astounded at the overall depressed tone of most of the posts. I personally believe the Falcons are more respected around the league than many of you might think. I know realistic Saints fans would be happy splitting games with your dirty birds Come on and cheer up, have faith in your team and here’s hoping the Saints and Falcons show the nation on Monday night what a great rivalry game we have between us. Please, no Hail Marys. On second thought, Darren Sharper might welcome the opportunity.
Good luck the rest of the way except,of course, against our Saints! I really hope the NFC South can place two teams in the playoffs…sort of like rooting for any SEC team againts an out-of-conference opponent.
PMC
October 28th, 2009
9:56 am
Also, Stecker has been pretty good for both New Orleans and Tampa in an emergency relief role. He’s a pretty good guy to have on a roster in a pinch.
bigeasy830
October 28th, 2009
10:01 am
Bugkiller you are the only race baiting psycho on this blog, you were the first to bring up the bull. This is America, we all don’t have to agree on a subject to have a discussion about it. “IT’S JUST HEALTHY CONVERSATION”. I have been going to the Falcons tailgate parties at the dome that a few of my friends have been throwing since MV7 first year as a starter. Many of them are from Atlanta and a few others from out of state. They are all DIE HARD Falcons fans. They love the Falcons, They love Matt Ryan, and they still support MV7. You see that is what most true Falcons fans that invest time money and energy in support of their team believe. I am a proud Falcons hater and they all know it they make me sit in the front row so they can give me you know what every time the Falcons make a big play, but its all in fun because believe me I do the same to them.
But here is my reasons why you fair weather fans should not panic
1. Your team is 4-2
2. Your team look well prepared for evey game just like they did last year. You have weakness on your defense that I pointed out before the season, and of course Matt Ryan lack of armstrength seem to limit your offense at times as I stated before the season, that is why Turner is not running well. Teams are stacking the box and the middle because of Matt Ryan’s inability to consistenly stretch the field deep or from sideline to side line. I told you people you need another running back as a change of pace guy bedcause Norwood is too fragile to be counted on. But all in all against mediocre teams the Falcons look good because they are well coached and well prepared and Matt Ryan is a top 5 QB in the NFL. He does not have a great NFL arm but he has an adequate NFL arm and well above everything else, (But I would still take Joe Flacco over Ryan anyday of the week).
3. You are chasing the SAINTS,one of the few teams in NFL history that have more lack of success than the Falcons. I am not saying they will fold down the stretch, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. One hit to Drew Brees and it’s over for them.
Also Mark Bradley, I would not count the Jets or the Carolina road games as wins. The Falcons must beat the teams that they may be fighting for a play-off spot against as the tiebreaker, like The Giants and The Eagles. If they do go 10-6 and those teams finish 10-6 with a win over the Falcons, they win the tiebreaker. I think only one team will make it to the play-offs from the south and one team from the west with 2 teams from the east and 2 from the north making it. But the Falcons won’t go 10-6 and they won’t make it to the play-offs because they suck.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
The Saints win by 20 on Monday Night
“Look Who’s Back, You Suckers!!!!!”
FalconUGAFan
October 28th, 2009
10:15 am
Welcome Saints fan, Good to have you! Thanks for the nice words. I think we are all sitting around holding our breath waiting for the other shoe to drop. We do have a bit of a history of that you know.
But you are right..Time to rally around the team!
Keith
October 28th, 2009
10:21 am
I completely agree. We should win 10 and we might win 11….even if we lose both to the Saints. We shall see!
FALCONS SENSOR CRITICS
October 28th, 2009
10:21 am
TRY SAYING THIS ON THERE MESSAGE BOARD AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS
Rectal Bleeding
October 28th, 2009
10:22 am
I’m counting on another Saints late season collapse.
Keith
October 28th, 2009
10:22 am
Having optimism in the Falcons doesn’t mean I didn’t wonder about the deep ball. I think Jenkins had one catch, maybe? Where were the deep passes? I didn’t see one over 30 yds….maybe I just missed it. Throw the deep ball to White and Jenkins…..like we have seen in the past.
Ted Striker
October 28th, 2009
10:23 am
“A morning glory at my window in the morning satisfies my soul more than a daily rant about either M. Vick or W. Martinez.” — Walt Whitman
“Rant topic no matter. Rant is rant. Hear same thing over over, is rant, not good talky talky.” — Confucius
“If everyone demanded Willie Martinez be fired rather than demanding another television set there would be peace.” — John Lennon
“Bugkiller hates Willie Martinez even more than I despised Nina Myers.” — Jack Bauer, CTU
Huh?
October 28th, 2009
10:33 am
@FALCONS SENSOR CRITICS
You don’t make any cense….
this is soooo stupid
October 28th, 2009
10:35 am
Comparing Mike Vick and Matt Ryan is like comparing apples and oranges people!!! You people are killing me. They both have there strenths and weaknesses period. Matt Ryan has some attributes that are clearly better than Mike Vick and Mike Vick has some attributes that are clearly better than Matt Ryan. They both are/were two of the best QB’s in Falcons history. Those that hate Matt Ryan just refuse to realize that he’s on his way to a stellar career with the Falcons and those that hate Mike Vick just refuse to acknowlege that he was a great player for the Falcons when he was here.
Go Falcons!!!
Apples vs Oranges
October 28th, 2009
10:38 am
So Vick is an apple and Ryan is an orange? That is soooooo racist!
FALCONS SORRY
October 28th, 2009
10:43 am
SORRY ATL FALCONS! YOU BUNCH OF BACK STABING HATERS ARE NOW GET WHAT YOU DESERVE FOR HOW THIS TEAM HAS TREAT ITS SUPPER STARS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS! ESPECIALLY FOR HOW THAT SNAKE AUTHUR BLANK DID TO VICK! NOW MIKE IS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF IN PHILY AND RIDING THAT TRAIN TO MIAMI WITH HIS MEETING WITH DESTINY IN JANUARY! AND NOW EVEN KIETH BROOKINGS IS HAVING THE LAST LAUGH OVER THE SHORT COMING OF THIS FRANCHISE! BROOKINGS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF ON THE SIDE LINE AGAINST HIS OLD TEAM MATES AND BLANK! WHAT GO AROUND COME AROUND AUTHUR BLANK! AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET WHAT IS YOURS FOR HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE! BROOKINGS AND VICK MIGHT EVEN WIND UP PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE SUPPER BOWL WITH OUT THEIR OLD BOSS AND BLANK WILL HAVE TO SIT AT HOME WITH HIS TV AND CRY LIKE A LITTLE GIRL WHILE HIS FORMER EMPLOEES PLAY OFF AGAINST ONE ANOTHER FOR CHAMPION OF THE WHOLE WORLD! THE TIME FOR THE FALCONS TO START TO PANIC SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST DAY AFTER THEY WAISTED THAT DRAFT PICK ON MATTY HOPELESS! WHERE IS YOUR OFFENSE WITHOUT VICK AND DUNN AND CRUMP FALCONS! TURNER BURNER CANT CARRY THIS OFFENCE FOREVER! THE ONLY BOWL GAME THE FALCONS ARE GOING TO WITH # 2 AS THIER QUARTERBACK IS THE TOLET BOWL GAME! COME TO THINK OF IT # 2 IS WHAT THE FALCONS ARE FULL OF SO THAT GAME SOUND LIKE THE BEST ONE FOR THE AND THEY REALLY DO HAVE THE RIGHT FRANCHISE QB! # 2 FOR # 2! DONT FORGET TO FLUSH BLANK!
Huh?
October 28th, 2009
10:43 am
No, I think he meant it the other way around. Not racist then.
AlvinDark
October 28th, 2009
10:43 am
Its my job to enlighten, inform and educate the fans who are ignorant. First of all, like this article says “Dont Panic Yet”. The season is not over just because we got outplayed by the Cowgirls and are trailing the Saints by two games in the division. Secondly, the Falcons can win Monday nights game against the Saints. It is entirely possible that the Falcons can win that game convincingly. The only problem is for the Falcons to pull that off THEY WILL HAVE TO PLAY AN ALMOST FLAWLESS GAME against the Saints on Monday night. The good news is that they are capable of doing just that. This much I can say is that if the Falcons bring their “A” game like I know they can, listen to me and watch carefully; THE SAINTS WILL BE IN BIG TROUBLE ON MONDAY NIGHT. PERIOD. End of story. Sure “Matty Ice” had a poor game against Dallas, but that is only one loss and if Matty Ice can shake that game from his system and play a solid game, the Saints will be in big trouble on Monday night. The Falcons will beat the Saints 56-14.
MightyQuinn
October 28th, 2009
10:44 am
Now, Ted, that right there was funny, I don’t care who you are!
Huh?
October 28th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey Sorry is back! Missed you! You always make me hungry with the talk about supper…..
No Counting
October 28th, 2009
10:46 am
At this point we should not be counting wins or losses…We should be taking this season one game at a time and looking to improve every game.
Mark Bradley
October 28th, 2009
10:46 am
You know, I used to consider myself the most opinionated person in the world. Having read these comments for a while now, I don’t any longer.
Peadawg
October 28th, 2009
10:49 am
Falcons sorry:
“BROOKINGS AND VICK MIGHT EVEN WIND UP PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE SUPPER BOWL”
Please tell me you’re not that dumb……
No Counting
October 28th, 2009
10:54 am
How do we know “Falcons Sorry” ins’t Vick?
CJ
October 28th, 2009
10:57 am
last!!!
Huh?
October 28th, 2009
10:57 am
I think it is Mark trying to run up his post count.
I’m doing my part..Beee—yord at work!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 28th, 2009
11:11 am
Quarterbacks determine who WINS & LOSES. If your quarterback is near the middle of the pack (Number 14) how do you expect to be a contender?
If he is ranked number 14 and the team is 4-2, then someone else is the reason for an above average performance.
The Vikings had a very good team, but they knew they needed a Superbowl caliber quarterback under center, so they went after Brett Favre.
Face it guys, the problem for a team’s problems is in the leadership role and that is the quarterback.
Start putting the blame where it belongs.
Chaseolla
October 28th, 2009
11:26 am
Dear Mark
REMINDER, The Falcons Saints game irregardless of records always goes down to last possesion. if you want to say it’s a loss before it’s played move to Tampa Bay! If we execute and can run the ball and Tackle and not turn the ball over wo be it to the AINT’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tell it like it is
October 28th, 2009
11:27 am
Take the falcons and stick’um up your ass.They lost to a team they were suppose to beat.No playoffs and to hell with a winning season. if you can’t make the playoffs what good is a winning season.
Joke24
October 28th, 2009
11:28 am
Look for me at the game. I will be there with my girl and she will be in a skimpy Falcons related outfit showing her cleavage.
TROTTINGHOME
October 28th, 2009
11:29 am
Mark’s response to Brewdog is pure lawyer…ish. Beware of snakes in your brain.
AveryBrooks
October 28th, 2009
11:31 am
OK. The Saints-Falcons game on monday night features the high-powered Saints averaging almost 40 points a game vs. the Falcons who are averaging scoring about 20 points. Ok lets analyze this. The saints are averaging scoring about 10 points per quarter. The Falcons MUST beat that by outscoring that 10 points per quarter by scoring 14 points themselves each and every quarter (two touchdowns). Field goals will not help them. Elam can just about take the day off. We wont need his services since we will be scoring 8 touchdowns in the game. Oh thats right we will need him for the extra points. Repeat that formula for four quarters and you win the game 56-40. This is the only formula that will work against the Saints. Beat them at their own game by outscoring them. HOpefully after this win, the Falcons will be ranked #1 in the entire national football league in the power rankings. Matty Ice will run for president of the united states after Obamas term is up. Go Falcons!
PMC
October 28th, 2009
11:32 am
AlvinDark…. AWESOME!