Live from New York, about to watch the other Big Blue!
Two stadiums: We're in the one on the left. The new one opens in 2010. (Photo by M. Bradley)
East Rutherford, N.J. – I’d never say I’m smart or anything. For one thing, you folks know better. For another, I thought there was no way my alma mater would win in Athens last night. (When last my alma mater won in Athens, I was just out of school. And that was a long time ago.)
But I digress. This isn’t about Willie Martinez or Mark Richt. (I suspect we’ll get around to both these next few days.) This is about the Falcons, who are about to play the New York Giants, and the one thing I can say for sure is that they’re almost exactly where I expected them to be on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
I had them 5-4 at this point, and the only part I got wrong was I had the results of the Carolina games flipped. I also had them losing today. But I also had them winning the NFC South, which won’t happen, and finishing 10-6, which is still within reach even if they’re 5-5 when night falls on Manhattan. (Which is across the river, as you might know. And yes, I’m aware I’m not technically “live from New York,” but somehow “live from Jersey” doesn’t resonate.)
Before you ask, I should report that — as of 10:31 a.m. EST — there’s no word on the availability of Michael Turner or Jerious Norwood. Esteemed colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter is endeavoring to find out whether either or both will play, but I can’t see Turner doing much if he does anything. And how long has it been since Norwood did anything, period?
(UPDATE: Both Turner and Norwood are inactive.)
And that’s all I’ve got at the moment. Except for this: When last Kentucky won at Sanford Stadium, Prince Charles and James Brown were in attendance. (The year was 1977.) Kentucky would win 33-0 — the Big Blue finished 10-1 that year but couldn’t go to a bowl owing to, er, probation — and it was essentially a wretched day all around for Vincent J. Dooley. But one memory still makes him smile:
Dooley and Fran Curci, who was Kentucky’s coach and who had no great appreciation for the trappings of royalty, were standing at midfield before the game when the Prince of Wales was escorted up. Dooley said, “Your highness, this is Fran Curci.”
And Curci said, “Hey, Prince.”
I’ll advise if any princes happen by today. If they do, I’ll say hey for you. And I’ll be here to chat about anything — Falcons, Giants, Dogs, Cats, James Brown — until this one ends. Please join me, won’t you?
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1,676 comments Add your comment
JUST SAYING
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
We suck again! – The Waterboy
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
I like when the Boss sings “In Candy’s Room”.
FalconsVGiants
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
i knew this game would be a blow out … the falcons are an atlanta sports team … sooo
dawgfan13
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
17-7 at the half and another loss. Is Boss better than Gonzalez? He is playing like it! Ryan looks shell shocked and I am starting to wonder if he can hack it in this league. He cant be afraid to throw the ball down the feild
Great GT DNA
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
Mark that’s funny about Les Miles. Did you see the on-field interview with him last night right after the game? He was making stuff up faster than a politician!
Dawgs2009
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
MATT RYAN = JOE COX!
Matt Ryan's mind
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
Good thing that I came make mistakes and not get blamed for it.
All I'm Saying Is...
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
People criticizing Ryan for his piss poor play are not automatically Vick supporters…seems to me you need to move on Jamie
Why Bother
November 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
Where did the team that started the season go? We officially SUCK!
DHunt
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
One QB playing very well. One is not playing well at all. Boss wasn’t that open. another good pass by Eli
Dreman1731
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
Alright, I’m done. Packing it up. Giants get the ball first in the 2nd half.
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
For all those dawg fans that want Van Gorder back and UGA, please give me even one good reason…The Falcons defense has steadily gone downhill, especially the secondary…
Meanwhile...does it really matter?
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
Kevin Boss, Kevin Bacon, anybody connected within Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, does it really matter who Eli Manning throws to at this point?
Go coons
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
How many more chances do u give Elam???
Rural Education
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
We all knew the defense was going to be weak, but do we even have a pass rush? The Giants can overwhelm Atlanta with just four guys, our D can’t even get close. This game will be a runaway in the 2nd half. We may never have back to back winning seasons.
Dawgs2009
November 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
THANK GOD THE GAME IS NOT ON IN MY MARKET. I HAVE THE SAINTS VS. BUCS. THANKFULLY!
Vick Supporter
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
This losing streak is going to be worse than the ones Vick had with this team towards the end of the season……Way Worse
Ryan is totallly lost out there……he can’t carry a team…never could
You can't be serious
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
One the road, playing a team coming off a bye, with this defense….no a good recipe.
Randy in Richmond
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Im glad the game is not on here in Richmond Va. Sounds like it’s painful to watch.
Dawgs Man
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Why? Why? The other team looks like crap and we start giving them hope because of our stupid play and guess what? We lose!
WDE!!!
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
How bout Elam and whatever the damn punter’s name are figure out how to time up a snap! I have never seen anything like that crap!
Racist Ryan Haters
November 22nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Those critizing Ryan for his “piss poor passing” are fools who no very little about football. Only a fool would realize with only two receivers on patterns and the defense rushing 4, there is not much of an opportunity to move the ball down field.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
Mark
You have a lot of guys to ban
Atl Hawk
November 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
They need to stop playing and play
Skippy
November 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
Eli is not even a pimple on Peyton’s butt. I’m serious, we should bring the house on every play. What have we got to lose? Nobody’s covered anyway.
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
lol ryan lucky he doesnt have facebook
Rod
November 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
Draft a damn kicker in the 7th round for heavens sake every damn year we have some old man kicking for us those 3 points will come back to haunt us can you say 5-5!
GoTech610
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
I am really starting to doubt Ryan.
I have tried and tried to defend him and give him the benefit of the doubt, but no dice. Something is wrong and it’s time to start blaming the QB. He needs to quick holding onto the ball and trying to run and quit worrying about getting hit. It’s the NFL stand in there deliver the pass and take the shot son!
Dawgs2009
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
ELAM CAN JOIN JIMMY HOFFA UNDER THE STADIUM.
Jenkies
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
Come on where are all those Matty Icwe fans LOLLLLLLLLLL. U love to criticize OTHER QBs but u can’t admit that Matt sucks hairy monkey balls.
Sid
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
THIS JUST IN!!!!!!! Fox and ESPN have just announced they will no longer televise Falcon and UGA games. They can now be seen on COMEDY CHANNEL!!! They both really are funny as hell!!!!
Randy in Richmond
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
Im just about finished with my dawgs and birds for the year.
What happened to the team from last year, or the beginning of the season for that matter.
Our D really has fallen apart. Where is John Abraham? We could use Boley back
Vick Supporter
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
Mark
You have a lot of guys to ban
——————–
You’re right Choke…..they’re about to start getting racial now…..the ryan bathwater drinkers
Vick Supporter is a fool
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
But didn’t Mike Vick go to prison for fighting dogs? Vick is not an option. So STFU you dummy.
Mularkey
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
This offense sucks. Elam sucks. Matt Ryan has lost his confidence, and apparently some of his skills too. Forget the wild card, forget a winning season. This organization is broken, again.
WDE!!!
November 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
How about the NFL scheduling. How many times this year are we playing teams coming off a bye week? Cowboys, Panthers, Saints, Giants??? That’s some crap
Skippy
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
Yeah, WDE!!!, you would think that something that possibly cost us the game last week might have gotten worked on a little bit!
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
lol nobody hating on ryan…how hard is it to hold onto the ball…he does this every week he turns the ball over right before halftime and the other team ends up scoring.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
HA HA HA
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
GoTech610
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
I guess looking at some of these plays the receiver’s aren’t open…
It’s not all Ryan, but some is.
The receiver’s need to get open.
Go coons
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
The kicker and and holder have only one play they have to practice and they can’t figure it out! Do we not have a kicking coach?
gman
November 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
Ok what’s the deal? Has Matt melted? He’s taking WAY too long to throw, or are our receivers NOT getting open??
Dr. Warren
November 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Anything from 7-9 to 9-7 seems realistic after seeing this.
asbadasUGA
November 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Who in God’s name is the Falcons secondary coach…Ray Charles???
Skippy
November 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Now it’s time for the horrendous halftime show. Hey Terry, your not funny, you just look funny
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
at least the hawks and tech are doing well
GoTech610
November 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Thank god I have Georgia Tech football.
It’s the only football in Georgia!
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
2:29 pm
The kicker and and holder have only one play they have to practice and they can’t figure it out! Do we not have a kicking coach?
—–
you forgot the snap genius. why don’t you go to flowery branch tomorrow and apply for a position?
Fools alway blame the QB
November 22nd, 2009
2:29 pm
Two Receivers on patterns. Having to go to full protection equals no one open.
Randy in Richmond
November 22nd, 2009
2:29 pm
well so much for breaking the no back to back winning seasons thing this year. Lets lose out and try and get some big linemen in the draft. We need lots of help on both lines.