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
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
Nice job by Ryan to save the sack and get the ball to Snelling.
Quarter ends. Falcons in decent shape. Maybe better than decent, all things considered.
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
wow our WRs are just not getting open in these last couple of games.
Meanwhile...Sonny proves his bona fides
November 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
I now believe that that was really Sonny Clusters, because we all know Sonny Clusters as a humanitarian. If only Sonny Clusters had sent some green tea to the late great Gordon Solie.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
. . . . but if Snelling can keep running like that I’ll take it – and an average numbers game from Ryan . . . with a Win included of course:)
Bat Masterson
November 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
Don’t you mean, who is attempting FG’s for the Falcons today?
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:34 pm
by the way i heard joe cox snuck out of athens last night
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:34 pm
I can see where Sonny Clusters would be fond of McClusters. Like I was big on Mark Bradley of Oklahoma until he fumbled a punt against Southern Cal in the national title game.
DHunt
November 22nd, 2009
1:34 pm
We survived the first 15 minutes, without getting shredded on defense or making ignorant mistakes on offense. I call that improvement. Am I grasping at straws
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:34 pm
First Quarter Time of Possession: Giants 10:31 Falcons 4:29.
pilgrim
November 22nd, 2009
1:35 pm
Quite a difference in pass protection between Giants and Birds… so far.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:35 pm
Nice throw. White at the first down marker.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
I hate that call. Run it on first and goal from the 10? Why? You’re not going to run it in from there. And now you’re only three yards closer with one down less.
DHunt
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Should have tried outside
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
PICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK 6
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
TD!
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
lol he didnt get touch
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Did I mention I’d take a good game by Snelling, average by Ryan, and a win:) Keep it up Falcs!
DHunt
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Or maybe it’s good offense line play and play calling.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Actually that one is all on the O-Line!
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Running on second-and-goal from 7? Works every time.
Nice drive. Really nice. Falcons in great shape now.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Meet Jason Snelling.
Norwood can stay inactive.
Far_East
November 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
NICE DRIVE.
N
November 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
anybody got a link to see the game streamed? Cannot find one that is good. Appreciate any help.
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
Ovie made a good kick out block to open that hole. How much did we miss him while he was hurt?
Skippy
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Can’t moose ever give us credit for anything? I’m sick of this guy
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
CHOKE: You starting trouble with Bradley. You have to come through me. Stick to the FOOTBALL game! Falcons 7, Giants 3.
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
lol @ the buccs “the saints are who we thought they were”
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Once again ZERO touchdown passing in the redzone
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
MBradley . . . . although the next play was a nice run with huge hole . . . I still agree with your comment. Normally tough to run it in with a first and goal from about the 10.
Great GT DNA
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Nice run!!! I thought our run game was dead in the water without MT, but man what a hole in their D-line! Great run and drive…..thanks Mike Mularkey! Keep on hitting and playing physical football.
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
wow the browns are killing the lions
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
N
November 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
anybody got a link to see the game streamed? Cannot find one that is good. Appreciate any help.
You won’t find anything with decent picture in the US. The NFL allows HD streaming, but only outside the US.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
Thanks to D-Led for the expression of support. And I wouldn’t trifle with D-Led on legal issues. He’s a lawyer.
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
McClusters just sounds like a player, don’t he? We was thinking he could come in and play right away.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
great drive.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
great drive.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
CHOKE: You starting trouble with Bradley. You have to come through me. Stick to the FOOTBALL game! Falcons 7, Giants 3.
“Same applies to you” a LAWSUIT is a LAWSUIT
By the way, that tired bow tie is so 1920
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:41 pm
Jeesh . . ..can’t win. When is a touchdown not a touchdown?? To Choke – when it is not a pass TD by Ryan. I’ll take the 6 though anytime . .. . .and for Choke’s sake let’s call it actually 12 points as the Pick-6 did not occur:) No offense Choke:)
DHunt
November 22nd, 2009
1:41 pm
Offensive line has been opening holes and giving the Icey one plenty of time the past few weeks. Which one of you has a viewing angle on this game where you can see that the WR are not getting open? Sometimes you need to zip the ball accurately into coverage. Our corners have been close on most of Manning’s passes.
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
browns 24 lions 3
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Did our kicker just slap the return man? lol
Choke has credentials
November 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Why is Choke saying PICCCCCK 6? Does he think we really want to read about the highlight of his 15 seconds as a seventh string jv quarterback?
N
November 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
Thanks Tmoney — I’ll definitely take standard-def if I can find it. They’re showing the damn Cowboys-Redskins game where I am (that reason alone is enough to hate the Cowboys… they’re ALWAYS the selected game).
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
You know, playing cornerback is hard. I’ll concede that much. I don’t think, however, it needs to be as hard as the Falcons make it look.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Do you guys ever see ESPN, The NFL Network, Fox, swabbling over petty issues. It’s no wonder you guys are not respected as “REAL” Journalists…..
I can less about his law experience, then he should know what a nightmare it would be to use his bias moderating. Ban me and see what happens.
“YOU” people need to grow up and stop WHINING
Not my fault your skills suck
Dreman1731
November 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Gosh! They’re catching every pass!
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Manningham deep on Chevis Jackson.
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Can our Corners cover anything?
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:45 pm
Oops . . .someone must have jumped at the short hitch and go:)
J.J.M.
November 22nd, 2009
1:45 pm
horrible…we get a TD and our D cant step up