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
SallySue
October 30th, 2009
10:25 am
Sir Real: you are mistaken about Matty “Ice” Ryan. RYAN IS A HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK. What you fail to understand is that he is only in his second year, not that far from being a rookie. By the way Sir, can you recall the NFL player who won the offensive rookie of the year last year? Maybe you forgot or dont know his name. Let me refresh your memory; his name is Matty “Ice” Ryan. The NFL doesnt give that reward to players who havent performed well enough to earn it. Just remember Matt Ryan is the incumbent rookie of the year and the future hall of fame quarterback, according to current hall of famer Steve Young. Matt Ryan, in my opinion, is better than every quarterback currently playing, including washed up quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. This is only my opinion and I stand corrected if I am wrong.
Mike Vick Curse
October 30th, 2009
11:16 am
SallySue
October 30th, 2009
10:25 am
Sir Real: you are mistaken about Matty “Ice” Ryan. RYAN IS A HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK.
Crack kills
DandyD
October 30th, 2009
11:22 am
Hey Matt “Choke” Ryan…I mean Vick’s Jock Strap Supporter…what’s the deal with the hard-on for Matt Ryan? Or is it a hard-on for Vick? Anyway, put down the vaseline and get back to work. I mean, spend as much time campaigning against free nukes or world poverty and somebody may actually give a s**t about who you are.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 30th, 2009
11:37 am
Dear Arthur:
The “New Face” of the franchise project has been exposed and has failed.
You bought into the “non-paying” crazies and let the “True Franchise” player slip through your fingers because you thought this “CHOKE” could replace the Atlanta legend.
Give me a break. I have heard all of the complaints:
He is too short
He doesn’t read defenses
He is not intelligent
He is not a traditional quarterback (hidden code for…)
Well the “CHOKE” really has been reading the defense very well the past two games, with his amazing 68 & 66 QB RATINGS.
You have spent 72-million dollars just to be embarrassed, I thought you were a business man – Joey Harrington could have embarrassed the City for 2-million tops.
In 2002 this franchise was pulled from the ashes and place on the map. There was actually a waiting list for season ticket holders – after this game the only tickets you will be selling will be the blue light specials at Home Depot.
There has only been 2 playoff wins in this whole decade, which expires after this season and they are both by an unintelligent guy who can’t read a defense and is too short.
So this logic seemed to work better than the one being hosed up by the more qualified quarterback – qualified only in the eyes of the crowd that shares the same demographic.
The bottom line is he is the same LOSER that he was at Boston College, choking & being Virginia Tech’s BIATCH.
In Disbelief
October 30th, 2009
12:50 pm
Mike Vick Curse: You will never a) be an NFL QB again. b)get playing time in a playoff game. c)get the endorsements you had. d) be able to walk out in public and not be confronted with “haters”. e) be as “good” as you were.. As for our playoff game? We’ll manage.. Your life? That’s too bad for you, loser.
SallySue
October 30th, 2009
1:44 pm
Mike Vick Curse: You are a bumbling idiot! You must be the one on crack. How can you have the unmitigated gall to refer to Mike “Dogkiller” Vick as a legend. That doesnt make sense at all. What did Vick do to gain legendary status? Sure he rushed for 1000 yards as a Falcon quarterback but that was because we didnt have any running backs who could do that and Vick tried to take on too much. I would have preferred if Vick had rushed for 500 yards and we had won a superbowl instead. Vick is a criminal and the only place where Vick has legendary status is Levenworth. Oh yeah, Vick is the Levenworth Legend.
SallySue
October 30th, 2009
5:23 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan: You are a bumbling idiot! How can you have the unmitigated gall to refer to Mike “Dogkiller” Vick as a legend. That doesnt make sense at all. What did Vick do to gain legendary status? Sure he rushed for 1000 yards as a Falcon quarterback but that was because we didnt have any running backs who could do that and Vick tried to take on too much. I would have preferred if Vick had rushed for 500 yards and we had won a superbowl instead. Vick is a criminal and the only place where Vick has legendary status is Levenworth. Oh yeah, Vick is the Levenworth Legend.
SirReal
October 31st, 2009
10:38 am
Sally Sue: You cannot be considered a Hall of Fame Qb after just one season in which your RB was the focal point (i.e 370+ carries, 1700 yards). This shows we beat most teams RUNNING the ball(there was the Bears game though. I’ll give MR2 that.) So he only had to manage the game and minimize mistakes. 2) A Hall of Fame QB has to first win a playoff game. Not to say MR2 wont…but this has not happened yet. 3) We need to save all the HoF talk until he’s been in the league at least 5 years. Its too early to gauge and we have yet to see if he really is the real deal or not. You cant base it on one stellar season. Flacco could have just as easily won. Ryan had a better O and Flacco had a better D. 4) Are you really on this planet when you say Manning, Brady, and Brees are washed up?!! They are the 3 most elite QBs in this league. Who do you think Ryan is trying to get on the level on.?!! Manning speaks for himself, Brady’s rings speak for him, and Brees superb numbers do the same. Washed up huh? Thanks for the jokes today!!! LOL LOL
Matt "Choke" Ryan
October 31st, 2009
9:38 pm
What the CHOKE has done that Vick has NEVER done is go 1 and done in the playoffs.
Do us all a big favor and…………
Stay in the kitchen and make babies………….
Everytime your mouth opens, something should be inserted
rdnyb
November 1st, 2009
2:56 am
with the 16th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Atlanta Falcons select. Eric Berry of Tennesse. Up next Dallas. (I wish) him and Brian would be great. Because hater’s the Falcons are just a secondary away from being NFC champions. And stop hating on Ryan. I love Vick, wear his jersey to games to this day. But he screwed up. Now he has a fresh start and so do we. Let’s get over this and wish both players well.. Dang.
Gawgiaboy
November 1st, 2009
11:24 am
This year is completely over. What about next year? Who will be our quarterback? Why don’t we put out Aaron Murray to let him get some experience? Does Richt plan on breaking him in next year? Another year of losing as we break in a new quarterback. Joe Cox is the worst quarterback I’ve ever seen. He couldn’t win if he played for the Gators. He is a turnover machine. Interception after interception. He underthrows; he overthrows; he can’t even throw the ball away. He takes sacks by holding on to the ball. I see a lot of talented receivers on the Georgia roster. They have more talented receivers than Florida. Penalties are out of control. Why is that? Why would you tackle someone five yards out of bounds? Why would you rip the helmet off an opposing player? No displine is the answer. Nick Saban or Urban Meyer would never tolerate this type of behavior. Will Muschamp or Kirby Smart would take the Georgia job if offered! Let’s offer!
SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED FLACCO
November 1st, 2009
4:20 pm
Denver got spanked!
That Joe Cool sure knows how to win the big games
SallySue
November 2nd, 2009
11:21 am
Sir Real: Im glad you remember the Bears game! That is when the legend of Matty “ICE” Ryan came to life on the worlds biggest stage. A legend was borne that afternoon (Matty Ice) and the NFL was taken by storm by him and the league will never be the same. That Bears game reminded me of the game that put the AFL on the map. When Joe Willie Namath came on the scene and predicted a win over the Baltimore Colts. Namath came through and the AFL was never the same. Of course, now, everyone on the planet knows about Matty “ICE” Ryan except for you. Too bad! Next season, count on it, Matt Ryan will win league MVP honors to go along with superbowl MVP Honors. Take that one to the bank!
JuniorBridgeman
November 2nd, 2009
3:10 pm
I read in the ajc where the Falcons are amazed at the Saints weapons. I tell you what, the Saints better be very, very aware of the Falcons weapons; because the Falcons have many. I know if Jerius Norwood was available to play tonight it would have made the task of beating the Saints much easier. I wont make excuses but I feel that the Falcons MUST get off to a quick start against New Orleans if they are to have ANY chance at all of upsetting the Saints. Then the Falcons defense can go after Drew Brees. It should be an interesting evening of Football. Prediction: Falcons 63 Saints 7
SirReal
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
SallySue: I give credit where its due but again I think you’re jumping the gun here… MR2 needs to win a playoff game first. I dont think you can compare MR2 to Joe Namath either. Why are you saying next season already? Doesnt sound like someone is very confident. I like Ryan for the most part but you cant deny that some of his throws 20+ yards look like Chad Pennington. Ryan is pretty accurate. I’ll give him that…but I need to see more downfield throws…..there’s a reason Mularkey isnt calling those plays….and its not because we dont have WRs that can get downfield. As far as the bank, what exactly would I be taking as you have given me nothing to deposit.LOL
JD THEMAN
November 2nd, 2009
5:25 pm
SORRY ATL FALCONS! YOU BUNCH OF BACK STABING HATERS ARE NOW GET WHAT YOU DESERVE FOR HOW THIS TEAM HAS TREAT ITS SUPER 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 SUPER 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 EMPLOYEES 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 TOILET 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!
TheManMike
November 2nd, 2009
5:47 pm
Nice blog Mark. A lot of horrible commenting going on, again. Hate to see your blog getting attacked – It’s like spammers in my email list that make me not want to check my email.
I guess the problem is that many people on this blog, when we are losing, are just too good a target not to keep up the relentless commenting of old news and unfounded spew.
Go Falcons!
GT Brill
November 2nd, 2009
5:49 pm
Yea ! FALCONS SORRY is back !
GT Brill
November 2nd, 2009
5:51 pm
Would we trade up to get Eric Berry ? Man, I would love to have him.