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.
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219 comments Add your comment
In Disbelief
October 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
You are a flat out idiot “Choke”..
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Sarah B
Aren’t you going to miss “D3″ protecting you? Since his blog is for “Pro Ryan” only
Unbiased Blogger, VICK SUPPORTER 2, Bad News, Uh Oh, Matt "Choke" Ryan, 43 Years of Failure
October 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Who are you guys?
Antibird01
October 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
You say 1.5 season is to soon to call him a choker, and I say that 1.5 seasons is to soon to call him great( unless you are Bib Ben or Tom Brady). Last Season Ryan has a nice year but he he got fat against teams that were a combined 6- 42 ( or something like that Oak, Det. and KC). You can’t be offended by the choke label being applied early when you have folks calling hi tne Greatest Falcon QB ever! it kinda goes withthe territory. If Falcon fans have over the top praise on Ryan, then please know that the critics are going to be on par in the opposite direction… Just sayin…
Spoiler
October 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Thanks Mark. Now I don’t have to watch the game Monday since you know the Falcons will lose. Thanks for spoiling the ending.
Brooking 56
October 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
Without Brooking none of them games listed are locks to win. Matter of fact they will lose at least 2 of them. Mark it down because Brooking says so!
ERich42
October 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
Matt Rayn sucks and is over hyped. He has Jeff Francouer written all over him…A one year wonder.
Brooking 56
October 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
Anyone with eyes can see that Ryan can’t throw any passes over 20 yards with any type of zip. He’ s another Chad Pennington. That doesn’t look good for the next few seasons when other teams start shutting down the 5 and ten yard passes.
Brooking 56
October 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
But Vick could not complete even 5 and 10 yard passes, so we would be screwed either way.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 28th, 2009
3:46 pm
ATLDirtyBird
October 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
Hey Matt Ryan D!ck Rider, How Many Super Bowl Era QB didnt have a playoff win in there rookie season… Answer: Plenty, Your Terry Bradshaw’s, Peyton Manning’s Tom Brady’s, Hell Even Brett Farve…But Look What Vick Is Doing Now(Back-Up) & The Ravens Defense Is Exposing Flacco, His D helped him in the playoffs, he just couldnt seal the deal…So choke on that, hater
“Glad you mentioned Flacco and the bad defense.” He is currently ranked 11th in the NFL & The Great Choke is ranked 14th.
So thanks for revealing Flacco no longer has a great defense
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
Brooking 56
October 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
But Vick could not complete even 5 and 10 yard passes, so we would be screwed either way.
“That’s just what made Vick so SUPERIOR is like you said, he couldn’t complete passes like Ryan” yet he managed to win playoff games, finish 2nd in the MVP voting and beat perhaps the greatest passer in NFL HISTORY on the road at age 22 and make NFL HISTORY.
Thanks for highlighting that
ATLDirtyBird
October 28th, 2009
4:03 pm
Vick Has A 2-2 and to career record meaning he could NEVER MAKE IT to the big game, of course he beat the Great Brett Farve in the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, But This Is A ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately League’ and the fact he(Vick)aint did NOTHING! Ryan isnt a bust like Leaf or that JaMarcus kid that plays for the team that is the ‘last stop before retirement’ but we WONT get started on that!
Mr. Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh" Jones, SR
October 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
Time to panic everybody. The Falcons’ pass defense is weak and now everyone in China, Russia, and Yugoslavia knows it. (Yes, NFL games can be seen in those foreign nation.) The falcons will be destroyed Monday Night by the New orleans Saints who understand the importance of defense. The Falcons won last year by beating up on wek teams (the Detriot Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oaklan Raiders) This year the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles and their great quarterback tandem of McNabb and Mr. Micheal Vick, and the New York Giants will destropy the over-rated and panic-striekened Atlanta Vultures. These teams will give them no Quarter whatsoever!!!!!
Vick Supporter
October 28th, 2009
4:29 pm
Falcon Fans,
Look people, Matt Ryan can’t get it done when Turner gets shut down. Did the 300 and something carries take a toll on Turner? Probably so. That’s what happens when you wear a RB down because your QB can’t stretch the field. When the game gets put on Ryan’s shoulders, it doesn’t end well (Dallas). Sorry folks
Vick Supporter
October 28th, 2009
4:33 pm
Dec 6th…….
“The Day of Rekoning”
Mr. Thomas Anthony "The taxman Cometh" Jones, SR
October 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
As some one who pleadges total and absolute loyally to Mr. Michael Vick of the Newpaort News, Virginia area near Hampton Roads Area, I glad that the Atlanta falcons lost to the mighty Dallas Cowboys. There are only two types of people. Those people who are loyal and those who will backstab in a New York City Second. There is no middle ground. You are either loyal to Mr. Vick or you are dirty lowlife traitor whose Soul will Burn in hades for all of Eternity. I do not know how other people will do, but as for my family and myself we are steadfast in our loyalty to Mr. Micheal Vick. Remember there will be a Judgement Day for those who backstabbed mr. Michael Vick. May God have mercy for your worthless soul.
MH
October 28th, 2009
5:26 pm
matt needs 2 distrubute the ball around instead of just looking at gonzales and white then more success will be found and as for turner he probably does need us 2 get a running back in the draft or play snelling more 2 actually make him play
Sarah B
October 28th, 2009
5:26 pm
Choke – I don’t need anyone protecting me.
Sarah B
October 28th, 2009
5:28 pm
But this kind of crap is what ran us off in the first place. LOL
John
October 28th, 2009
5:39 pm
Enter your comments here
jerry
October 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
There are at least 9 All Pro’s on this offense. It is truly devastating. Awesome. Magnificient. You name it.
Peter
October 28th, 2009
6:03 pm
Turner is not getting any credit for the season they had last year and he was the MVP of that team instead of Ryan.Now Ryan did a good job last year only because of Turner.I am not bashing Ryan but I am standing up for Turner.Atlanta Falcons had a great season last year because no one had their eye of them and they caught teams by surprise but not this year.Teams now are stalking the line and asking Ryan to beat team.I still say this team is hiding their quarterback talent and I for one want to see what he can do if they let him play(throw the dam ball down field).The problem with the falcons is that they are playing safe and wants to have a back to back winning season.Now if they forget about that BS and play aggressive then they might have a chance of defeating anyone.Playing soft(not going for it on 4th down when they need to)will be 8-8 but being aggressive(going for it to win or not quitting through the entire game) will be in the playoffs.This is my opinion concerning the falcons.
Barry Jay
October 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
This Vick talk is very boring. And irrelevant.
HDanne
October 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
You know- I am a Saints fan and still dont think that you guys deserve to be ranked that low. On defense Ithink you should be, with the talent you have in the front seven, around 18-19 and on offense I thinkyou guys should definitely be at 10 or better. I dunno what happened but there is still plenty of football left in the season to find out. I just hope it doesnt happen on Monday night. The Falcons are of course my favorite team to hate but I also like it when they play well. I think the season almost undeniably has to turn around at some point. I do not think it unreasonable that you guys make it in as a wildcard slot. I say that because barring something horrible happening to the Saints they should finish first in the Division and likely in the NFC. I DONT THINK THAT YOU ARE ONE YEAR WONDERS! With the talent you have. But if you are and that is a possibility as well {I think a few good moves in FA for the secondary, running back, and most importantly a Wideout for Matt to throw to and next year ITS LOOK AT DEM DIRTY BIRDS!!!
Atl. 0
N.O. 0
til Monday guys hope the fans coming into New Orleans enjoy their visit and find some fun outside of Da Dome as well! Good Luck Hotlanta and see ya soon.
NA
October 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
sounds like quiet a few disgruntled people
it is a shame they have a sad life and need to complain about everything
Cheer up it could be worse
remember it’s a game
FalconUGAFan
October 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
@HDanne, Welcome and thanks for the kind words.
patty melt
October 28th, 2009
8:49 pm
Enter your comments here
patty melt Ryan all melted cheese
October 28th, 2009
9:05 pm
petty melt cheese QB. get petty melt birds . just hit him in the mouth and he become super punk with melted chesse (#2). Ryan is just ok nothing more. melted cheese under pressure.#2 melted cheese all day . He had a pass last year they have found his weekness! weak arm at boston collage and the same
Paul Johnson
October 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Turners is just too damn slow. He doesn’t react quick enough. He can’t run through a brick wall. Give the ball to Snelling, he can pound and side step.
Taylor
October 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
When will the idiots stop talking about Vick? Its over he’s gone
Taylor
October 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
matt choke ryan is such an idiotic poster. Joey Harrington put up the same numbers? oh you mean like 7 tds in 12 games. Ryan already has 9 in 6. Real similar. You say so many dumb things it would take too long to call you out on all of them
The Anti-Vick
October 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
MATT RYAN. THE PRESENT. THE FUTURE. DEAL WITH IT.
Dog-Killer is now fat, slow, and dumb. Over and out.
Ben Dover
October 29th, 2009
6:05 am
Mike Vick will never have another (LEGAL) career that pays his stupid, inarticulate, uneducated rectum as much as this one.
Nowhere to go but DOWN, Vick, but you did plenty of that in prison, didn’t you?
In Disbelief
October 29th, 2009
7:41 am
Mr. Thomas Anthony “The taxman Cometh” Jones, SR
October 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
As some one who pleadges total and absolute loyally to Mr. Michael Vick of the Newpaort News, Virginia area near Hampton Roads Area, I glad that the Atlanta falcons lost to the mighty Dallas Cowboys. There are only two types of people. Those people who are loyal and those who will backstab in a New York City Second. There is no middle ground. You are either loyal to Mr. Vick or you are dirty lowlife traitor whose Soul will Burn in hades for all of Eternity. I do not know how other people will do, but as for my family and myself we are steadfast in our loyalty to Mr. Micheal Vick. Remember there will be a Judgement Day for those who backstabbed mr. Michael Vick. May God have mercy for your worthless soul.
You have got to be kidding me. You are a joke. If you go to hell for disliking Vick, where does Vick go for hanging, electrocuting, slamming dogs? Heck of a guy to be pulling the religious card on..
SirReal
October 29th, 2009
9:42 am
Enter your comments here
SirReal
October 29th, 2009
10:29 am
Before I say this, I have to put out the disclaimer that I am a true fan and respect the team as a whole. Now lets get to the business:
COACHING: I like Smitty. He’s alright. BUT I do feel at times he lets the nervousness get the best of him and he coached scared. (i.e. 4th and short, Ryan wants to go for it, Smitty calls out the punt unit. We may have been able to keep momentum had we gone for it then. There was also a time in New England when Smitty folded instead of giving us one more shot) BVG, the jury is still out. Mularkey, I like him but i feel he should use our personnel a little different. Give Snelling more carries right now as he’s hitting the holes with conviction. ATL is putting dollars before dominance right now)
RUN GAME- I’m a Turner fan….but he does look fat and slow this year. But in his defense, the blocking hasnt been as great. Lets be honest, Gonzo’s a legend in this game but he is more of a pass catching TE obviously.lol We had that extra blocker to spring Turner loose last year.)
PASSING GAME- I’m ok with it overall BUT as much as we love Ryan, he needs to be held accountable for certain things. No one mentioned the picks he’s thrown of lack of downfield throws. People are starting to think he’s a dink and dunk QB…I dont agree but he has to show that with the deep threat we have in White
DEFENSE- It all starts with the line. I agree with many of you that its not all on the secondary. NO secondary can be truly effective without a proper pass rush….I dont know what the deal is on the line…maybe this “rotation” bs isnt working? I am impressed with the LBs. They’ve been solid.
GM- I know TD is trying to turn this into NE-South but i believed he whiffed on this draft. We drafted too many players with injuries just hoping they would be healthy. We see how thats worked out for us. Its only his 2nd year on the job so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. One thing I would like to see though, is him getting some balls and going after a free agent that can really help the team. ( I like the Brian Williams pickup…sad to see him gone for the year. He brought stability at least)
OVERALL- Its still early and the sched gets lighter after we get dragged by N.O. I think we’ll be ok if we finally get some pass rush and the running game gets going. We are still building believe it or not but the playoffs are still not a pipe dream this year.
Saint Fan
October 29th, 2009
10:36 am
Hey AlvinDark
Can I have some of whatever you are smoking. This is not last years’s Saints. Totally different team this year. You actually think the Falcons are going to blow us out in our own stadium. I will see you here Tuesday morning after we put a whipping on your Falcons. If you got the guts to show up.
T.C
October 29th, 2009
12:16 pm
Hey Mark,i don’t think the birds will beat the jets and philly.If the falcons success is based on weak teams comparing this years schedule to last years,then i would hate it if they make the playoffs playing tougher teams.I would say the birds are in trouble if they make the playoffs without a bye having to play away from the dome.
bigeasy830
October 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
Peter
They are not hiding matt Ryan’s talent, he can’t throw the ball downfield consistenly. They are putting him in the best position to make plays. If Matt Ryan try to throw the ball downfield more often, he will average at least 2 picks a game. He is best at the short to mmedium pass and the comeback pass on the sideline. I don’t know why they don’t use that play more often maybe opposing defenses started gamplanning for it. But, Matt Ryan is no Steve Bartkowski. The “Mad Bomber” will not be walking throw the doors of the GA Dome anytime soon as the QB of the Falcons. Your team is 4-2, you lost to 2 good teams on the road, I told you Falcons bloggers were easy to jump ship because you are only bandwagon fans anyway. Tuned on Turner, turned on Brookings, turned on Malloy, turned on Roddy White, turned on MV7 after his exciting run as QB of the falcons, and you will soon turn on your beloved Matt Ryan if the team struggles a little this year. You Falcons bloggers suck, you let the Sorry “Aints” fans talk trash on your blogs. You all ill not stand tall for your team, thats a shame. You are 4-2 and chaing the “Aints”, the “Aints”, I say againg you have the “Aints” insight with the Bucs and Panthers in your rearview. You have to feel good about your cghances to win the South, because…..
It’s On the Saints
Come-On, Son!!!
AveryBrooks
October 29th, 2009
1:48 pm
It is absolutely INSANE that people are still “dumb” enough to comment on Vick when he is no longer here. Sure Vick entertained us all when he was here but he has become a non-factor in the league. He is non-factor in Philly as an NFL backup, benchwarmer. He is a non-factor off the field in the game of life. However, people still have the insideous urge to continue to fill the blog airways with crap about Vick. Vick will soon retire and move on to something else, maybe catfighting this time. Forget about Vick because Vick has long since forgotten about you. I think people are making the foolish mistake of comparing Vick to Ryan. That my friends is silly. Ryan will be enshrined in Canton Ohio soon as a hall of famer, while Vick will continue to be a free agent non-factor in the game of life. Just thank God that Vick messed up so that Matt Fraud could leave to play for the Texans and the Falcons could draft (or reel in) a future hall of fame quarterback, filling in for Vick while Vick served out his jail sentence and subsequently tossed into the scrap heap. Matt Ryan will soon win the mvp of the league long before Reggie Bush does. Thats a guarantee!
SaulRunigan
October 29th, 2009
3:37 pm
Ok. If the Falcons beat the Saints at the New Orleans Superdome on Monday night by at least three touchdowns 42-21, will you please STOP with the senseless Michael Vick blogs. Like I said before, if you are still clamoring for Vick, move to Philadelphia and follow Vick around on Twitter and just leave us all alone.
SirReal
October 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
AveryBrooks….Ummmm I really dont see Ryan being a Hall of Fame QB….above average maybe but Hall of Fame…i dont think so…I am starting to wonder about his arm….he’s gotta step it up to me personally. He looked like a deer in the headlights against a flailing DAL team….either some of us are wrong about Ryan or he’ll get exposed….I wont lie….I am starting to suspect a noodle arm myself….this franchise was so caught up in moving forward (understandably so) that they have blinded themselves. I sit back and watch game film myself and I’ve seen QUITE a few throws Ryan made that absolutely SUCKED! We’ll see though….
Leek
October 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Show some pride don’t give up on the falcons just yet.
SeenThisB4
October 29th, 2009
4:26 pm
With the revelation today that Snelling is also injured, it’s more than high time to panic, if you’re a falcon fan.
Cocktail Cove
October 29th, 2009
4:53 pm
Bugkiller want to take away someone’s right to FREE SPEECH so that he can he retain his Pursuit of Happyness. What he failed to realize is that Free Speech is our MOST protected right and “Happyness” has nothing to do with how you feel reading a message board. Suck it up dude, your wineing is almost as bad as the trolling.
SirReal
October 29th, 2009
4:55 pm
Leek, I agree. We cant give up yet. I mean goodness, we’re still 4-2 this year at this point. It could easily be 0-6, 1-5, 2-4, or 3-3. Its just that I’ve been a fan all my life and it always seems like when we get a good thing going, something always happens….so lets just say I’m cautiously optimistic.
SoulSurvivor
October 29th, 2009
5:06 pm
Most people are BLOGGING as if they feel its a forgone conclusion that the Falcons will lose to the Saints. My God, how are ya’ll going to react if the Falcons win the game on Monday. Then all of a sudden you will start saying things about how great the Falcons are. Listen. In case you didnt know, THE FALCONS ARE ALREADY GREAT! They were great last year at 11-5. Their record this season will be better only if we beat the Saints on Monday. I think we will beat the Saints and go on to a 13-3 record. That should be good enough to win the division and have home field all the way through the playoffs. Folks, you are selling yourselves and the Falcons short. Have faith in coach Mike Smith, Matt Ryan and the whole gang. They will not let you down! Keep in mind too that coach Smitty has NEVER lost two games back to back in a row. That record will stay in tact as well.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 29th, 2009
5:12 pm
An “ELITE” qb wins without all the pieces. Let’s see if he can grab a win or just be a “CHOKE” and overrated.
Mike Vick Curse
October 29th, 2009
5:17 pm
Jerry…………..DONE
Douglas…………..DONE
Moore……………DONE
Williams…………..DONE
Norwood…………..DONE
Snelling……………DONE
I told you fools you will never win another playoff game without me………
VOOOOOOOOOODOOOOOOOO……VOOOOOOOOOOOOODOOOOOOOO
2004 & counting……………SUCKAS
Barry Jay
October 29th, 2009
8:35 pm
On free speech…people on these blogs do not have the right to say whatever they want. The only “rights” we have are those afforded by the owner of this forum.
If the AJC decides to set up rules for use of these blogs, they have every RIGHT to do so. Just as they have every RIGHT to ban those who use crude language.
In fact, free speech as most of you seem to define it is a myth. Our speech is and has been legally limited for many, many, many years.