The Falcons lose a close one but again find a quarterback
Tony Gonzalez rises above Michael Boley and sends it to overtime. (AP photo)
East Rutherford, N.J. — The Falcons lost a game but saved a season. If that sounds convoluted … well, try this: On the day the Falcons fell to 5-5, they nonetheless demonstrated why this will be that forever-sought second consecutive winning season.
Or this: The Falcons lost a game but found a quarterback.
The first half was wretched. It ended with the Falcons down 17-7 but was far more distressing than that. The defense was awful, which we’ve come to expect, and Matt Ryan was just as bad, which has become a recent phenomenon. But in the second half things changed: The defense was still bad, but the Iceman again, er, cameth.
Ryan in the first half: Six completions in 11 attempts with a long gain of 18 yards, two sacks, one fumble. Ryan in the second: Twenty completions in 35 attempts, two touchdowns, no turnovers, no sacks. The first half he looked like a rookie, and this is the guy who never looked like a rookie when he was one. The second half he looked like a pro.
Said Tony Gonzalez, who caught seven second-half passes including the overtime-inducing touchdown with 28 seconds left in regulation: “There’s definitely some confidence to be taken from this.” And then: “It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t have gotten the ball [to start OT]. ”
Well, yes. The Falcons lost the coin toss — for the second time Sunday, Ryan called “tails”; he was 0-for-2 on coin tosses — and never touched the ball again except when Michael Koenen’s toe met leather. The Giants moved expeditiously, as you figured they would. (New York gained 456 yards on the day, 384 on Eli Manning’s passes.) And that was that. Game effort in a big game but ultimately a loss.
But not totally a loss. At halftime it was possible to see the Falcons as a a team going way wrong. They’d lost three of four after starting 4-1, and now they were playing as if overmatched and overwhelmed. Even with a kind schedule the rest of the way, there was no guarantee this team playing this way would break .500, let alone slide into the playoffs.
The second half, however, made us rethink. This defense won’t ever be anything of substance, but this offense still has that potential. The Falcons won’t play a better defense than New York’s, and at some point Michael Turner will return.
Matt Ryan returned Sunday. He played scared in the first half. Nobody associated with the Falcons would admit as much, but there seemed no other explanation. Having thrown 10 interceptions over the past five games, he was unwilling to risk throwing anything chancy, anything deep. The result was an offense that dared little and still yielded a turnover when Ryan held it too long.
The second half was a transformation. Said Roddy White: “We knew we had to go out and score. And we were on the field so long the defense got tired.”
These were the Falcons’ second-half possession: Touchdown, field goal, touchdown, touchdown — all on drives of 63 yards or longer. Ryan was again letting it fly, stepping into the teeth of the mighty Giant rush. Said Gonzalez: “We were on a roll. We moved the ball up and down the field.”
If this season is to be saved, the offense must do the saving. On Sunday the offense surged from 14 points back to force a fifth quarter. And that offense playing that way can still hoist this team to 10-6 and a wild card.
Said Ryan: “As a quarterback, you have to continue to play the way you’re supposed to play.” His perseverance bore fruit Sunday. He fought through the first downturn of his NFL career and nearly conjured up an astonishing victory.
He’ll be fine now. His team — the offensive part, anyway — will be fine, too. “There are no moral victories,” Ryan said, but on this he was wrong.
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384 comments Add your comment
preston
November 22nd, 2009
5:58 pm
HAHA FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
preston
November 22nd, 2009
5:58 pm
FINALLY YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
5:58 pm
Kudos, Preston.
Hawksfan
November 22nd, 2009
6:00 pm
falcons suck go Hawks J-Smoooooooooooooooooove for the jam oooooooooooo jam!!!
Scott Case
November 22nd, 2009
6:00 pm
I was hoping we would go for two and try to steal it there at the end. Oh well.
Great Falconi
November 22nd, 2009
6:03 pm
Nice to see the ol’ Bradley spin come out after a loss. I agree with you, though. Ryan threw the ball like a man late in the game. If he can do that the next three weeks, maybe we win two out of three and find ourselves in really good shape for, if nothing else, that elusive second consecutive winning season. I want the playoffs, but I know this team has many flaws. 9-7 would be acceptable to me.
John
November 22nd, 2009
6:04 pm
If you’re Mike Smith, why not go for two at the end? There’s less than a minute remaining in the game, you have a very shaky defense and you’re on the road. At that point, you’re basically just hoping you win the coin toss to start OT.
Nick
November 22nd, 2009
6:05 pm
I like the way our offense hung in there!! If Ryan can keep playing like that the rest of the year we may have a chance to finish with a winning record. The defense is basically set for the rest of the year. No need to get upset about the way the play because that is the talent we are stuck with. It would be nice if the secondary coach could teach the guys to turn around and look for the ball in the air!!!
Same Ol Cons
November 22nd, 2009
6:06 pm
Congratualations AB. You purchased a cursed franchise. THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE, AND WE KEPT THEM IN THE GAME. Thanks Jason Elam, you cost the AF another game. You better be cut tomorrow. PLAYOFFS, PLAYOFFS, as Coach Moran Sr. once said. You guy’s better pull your heads out of your A$$es. There are alot of people that would kill to make your money, AND YOU LET THEM OFF THE HOOK. I have been a Falcons Faithfull since 1985 , and I don’t think I have another year left in me. Good Luck , Loveable Losers. I’m Out
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
6:06 pm
I wish they could find John Abraham.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
6:07 pm
And the Great Dane.
gman
November 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm
So what was the deal in the first half? Matt had no confidence? Receivers not getting open? Bad play calling?
Secondly, if we don’t fix the CB position, we’re going to get burned all season. What is it with the Falcons and a weak secondary? That’s got to change.
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm
Good article Mark. I’ll be a big Bronco’s and Lion’s fan on Turkey day.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm
And a hair net for the breck girl, Chris Houston.
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:09 pm
and a Raiders fan too
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:11 pm
I don’t agree with going for 2 at the end. If we win that coin toss we win the game. The Giants never stopped the Falcons in the second half. Unfortunately the ridiculous NFL overtime system stinks and they will never change it.
Michael
November 22nd, 2009
6:11 pm
I hate how OT works. This team is still disciplined and plays hard (unlike my dang Dawgs). Heartbreaker…but im so optimisitc about this teams future. Anyone who thinks otherwise are just bandwagoners with no soul
But, can Chris Houston and Brent Grimes PLEASE learn to turn around? Houston tried to undress that guy and got a pass interference, when all he had to do was turn and he would have had a pick!!
the secondary needs some serious work before we are going to be a playoff threat!! either coach em up, or go shopping.
ATL
November 22nd, 2009
6:11 pm
You guys kill me. Any reason to give Matt Ryan kudo’s. We lost the freakin game people. I could careless what he did the second half he did nothing the first half so there you have it another loss. We need a new kicker like tomorrow morning.
Dawgs2009
November 22nd, 2009
6:12 pm
Mark: This is a wonderful article full of hope for the future. However, our defense is terrible. It doesn’t matter how good the offense plays, they still have to trot out the defense. This problem needs to be addressed.
mj
November 22nd, 2009
6:12 pm
Shankapotamus Elam and our corner backs are terrible. I mean, if you lose scoring 31 in the NFL , you have problems. It doesn’t matter if we make the playoffs, you cannot win with just offense. We had better spend some money on the wing men for defense next year. We just plain sux on defense!!
Crisp Houston
November 22nd, 2009
6:13 pm
Why am I still on this team? Anybody?
reebok
November 22nd, 2009
6:13 pm
the falcons’ only real chance to win was to go for 2 after their final TD. i’m sure smith never considered it, and the inevitable OT loss followed. 7-9, the streak lives for at least 2 more years…
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
6:13 pm
Toast (n.)
A food item made of fire crisped bread and served mainly with breakfast dishes in North America…
also see
Defensive backs employed by the Atlanta Falcons football club of the NFL…
janet
November 22nd, 2009
6:13 pm
I’m tired of the opinions, from everybody – especially the online announcers which is why I mute my TV. They are better than most of what we’ve seen in recent years so let’s give them a boost for a change. Consider also they played a seasoned, successful team today and come out well – absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. They are still pulling together and building and that’s what counts. I am encourage and so should everybody else – quit your whining!
FalconFan
November 22nd, 2009
6:14 pm
Elam is killing us. We cannot win with him, period. Morten Anderson would be an upgrade…anybody got his phone number?
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:15 pm
I don’t agree with going for 2 points at the end. The Giants never stopped the Falcons the entire second half. If we win that coin toss we win the game. Unfortunately the NFL will never change their ridiculous overtime system. It’s just plain awful.
gg
November 22nd, 2009
6:15 pm
there has to be a decent kicker out there somewhere….Elam…you’re not in denver anymore
Win,lose, or tie bravos til i die
November 22nd, 2009
6:16 pm
why do we EVEN HAVE JASON ELAM HE HAS COST US TWO GAMES THIS SEASON! AND ESPECIALLY THE ONE TODAY! if we are trying to get back to back winning seasons well one things for surre that 300 year old kicker with the handle bar mustache is sure trying to make it so we dont
Bobby Boo
November 22nd, 2009
6:17 pm
The NFL overtime rules are soooo lame!
nativefalcon
November 22nd, 2009
6:17 pm
The falcons need to win out except NO unless we get lucky to make the playoffs but we need to be the fans of the other teams that play these three. The Eagles, Giants and Packers alll need to lose, we need to win out. See below
Atlanta 5-5
TB @ ATL
PHI @ ATL
NO @ ATL
ATL @ NYJ
BUF @ ATL
ATL @ TB
Packers 6-4
GB @ DET
BAL @ GB
GB @ CHI
GB @ PIT
SEA @ GB
GB @ ARI
Giants 6-4
NYG @ DEN
DAL @ NYG
PHI @ NYG
NYG @ WAS
CAR @ NYG
NYG @ MIN
Eagles 5-4
PHI @ CHI
WAS @ PHI
PHI @ ATL
PHI @ NYG
SF @ PHI
DEN @ PHI
PHI @ DAL
MARIELOVESSPX
November 22nd, 2009
6:17 pm
I hate NFL OT.
I’d rather have a tie! GO FALCONS!!!
nativefalcon
November 22nd, 2009
6:18 pm
Also we need a kicker bad, would elam just go on IR and get Morton Andersen back in, Gawd Elam is stinking up the place.
Billy
November 22nd, 2009
6:19 pm
The Falcons have NO chance of making the playoffs if they keep Jason Elam around. We would not have had an overtime today if he would have made his field goal and it would have completely changed the game last week too. He is terrible and we cannot depend on him in any situation…get rid of him please!!
preston
November 22nd, 2009
6:19 pm
we are all disappointed by this loss, and the seemingly inevitability of finding ourselves without the glorious back to back winning seasons. Ryan really got it going in the 4th quarter, and hopefully he will carry this performance over into next week. Jason Elam, for whatever reasons is still having issues with his rhythm, and he is leaving precious points on the field….the last few weeks could have turned out a lot differently had we cashed in on the field goals that he missed. The defense, as unreliable as they were in the overtime, actually came up big with the stops in the 4th quarter to give the offense a chance to tie the game. I am more frustated with the rules of the NFL more than anything………basketball puts 5 extra minutes on the clock for OT…..baseball allows both teams half of their inning to score…..but the NFL says first one to score wins the game???? Hec’ even college football which has it all wrong with the BCS, gets it right when it comes to overtime. Maybe the fans around the league should finally start a petition to correct this???? My name will be the first on the list.
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:19 pm
Mark I didn’t go anywhere. I have been here all year. This is not pee wee folks. Knock it off alright!!!!!!!!!!!!. Now that I have been here for a while Joe Cox was right. I need to ignore you pessimists.
“We knew we had to go out and score. And we were on the field so long the defense got tired.” Roddy is still hanging out at the clubs did he mean to say short time?
See you next week. Michael better catch the damn ball next week. I am tired of this idiot kicker. I talked to Peyton and he said we should show Elam the door.
—
—-
Joe Flacco is not playing well either so get off my back.
NCFalconFan
November 22nd, 2009
6:20 pm
Seriously Mark, if you can pick anyone in the NFL to bring in for the secondary who would you pick? If I see Grimes and Houston next season I’m going to be sick. I don’t want to hear building through the draft crap anymore.
Reality Check
November 22nd, 2009
6:21 pm
You can’t leave points on the field and this team did with missed field goals and dropped td passes.
prowlers1
November 22nd, 2009
6:21 pm
Do you think we can try and work on our secondary a little. Put Jenkins at safety. Cause if he can’t catch ones right to him he’s big and fast enough to compete with the big wide receivers and ends to knock it down. Wheres Morton Anderson when you need a field goal. Save Elam for the long ones. At least your not expected to make those…..
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:22 pm
I absolutely hate the NFL overtime rules. Worst thing in sports other than the BCS.
Jimmah Carter
November 22nd, 2009
6:22 pm
It’s George Bush’s fault!
bird
November 22nd, 2009
6:23 pm
got to take a look at whats ahead this week
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aI6EAsKvgg
hawesg
November 22nd, 2009
6:24 pm
Anyone else think they should’ve gone for two at the end? Given that the defense couldn’t stop the San Francisco Giants, let alone the NY version? Basically they put the game in the hands of the coin toss.
bird
November 22nd, 2009
6:24 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aI6EAsKvgg
mj
November 22nd, 2009
6:24 pm
SHANK A POT A MUS ELAM! Anything else needs to be said? Enough is enough. If he gives one more stare for a turd job, please let him go!! He sux’s. And Houston and Grimes, get a day job because you are not cornerbacks in the NFL.
TROTTINGHOME
November 22nd, 2009
6:24 pm
This article didn’t make me feel better
“waaaa waaaa”
woodie
November 22nd, 2009
6:26 pm
Did Abraham play today ?
dl (florida falcon)
November 22nd, 2009
6:26 pm
Damn that Elam! The second i saw him flinch, I knew we were doomed! I put in a DVD of Napolean Dynamite (at least I knew I wouldn’t be pissed offf, for the rest of the day). I guess, there is no point in crying about the schedule either, I hope we get the back to back monkey off our backs! I agree with the previous poster, stating that he may no have any seasons left in him. Seriously, ya’ll, it’s that hard following this team. I mean the F’ing saints might win the superbowl before us! DAMMIT!
Reid in EAV
November 22nd, 2009
6:27 pm
Er, can anyone tell me how the Birds managed to make so many enemies in the league office? We’ve played so many teams coming off bye weeks that I’ve lost track.
preston
November 22nd, 2009
6:28 pm
lol mj…”Shankapotamus Elam”!!!
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
6:28 pm
Reality Check…
“Leaving points on the field” is a Atlanta tradition like corrupt cops and state officials, leaky sewers, fleeing suburbanites, and people who use code words to paint stereotypes of minorities… Oh, 18 minutes of good QB’ing does not mark a reemergence…
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:28 pm
This article didn’t make me feel better
“waaaa waaaa”
——–
Come on, stop being a grinch. How many times do I have to tell you bloggers that we need to stick together? Follow the script damn it.
I got my mojo back. Did you not see me in the second half? I still luv you though. Make sure you fill up the dome next week. I guarantee a W.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:29 pm
I said it — typed it, actually — during the live chat and will type it again here: I think there’s a good chance the Falcons will have a new kicker when they play Tampa Bay on Sunday.
MiltonDawg
November 22nd, 2009
6:30 pm
Dawgs, Hawks, Falcons, and Thrashers all lose this weekend. Man is this city cursed or what?? How sad is that?
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:30 pm
I think John Abraham has been taking DE lessons from Jamal Anderson.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:31 pm
Er, maybe Dimitroff will draft Reshad Evans of UGA.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:31 pm
Mark,
I mentioned this before in the live blog, but you didn’t answer:
Maybe you can slip Thomas Dimitroff the phone number of on the most accurate kickers in NCAA history Monday morning?
Yes, I’m talking about Brandon Coutu.
He CAN’T be any worse than Elam right now.
Elam’s missed field goals are the difference between 7-3 and 5-5 right now.
At least bring in someone to compete to send a message.
And, BTW, your answer before, as to why Dimitroff never bothered to sign MacCallister didn’t make sense.
Yes, he signed Williams and drafted Hill.
But after Williams got hurt, he SHOULD have signed MacCallister.
There is NO way MacCallister would be worse than the horrible duo of Grimes and Houston.
Why he didn’t sign MacCallister is a huge question.
The HAVE to bring in Ty Law now, right? Is Law even available? This team is going NOWHERE with Grimes and Houston.
Kane337
November 22nd, 2009
6:32 pm
Is Vinitari back for the Colts? If so, Matt Stover will be available. That might be a good replacement.
DJ
November 22nd, 2009
6:33 pm
Did anyone see the “Can you be an NFL field goal kicker” crawler at the bottom of the Jets/Patriots game? Says you may compete from 1 to 3 pm on Moday (tomorrow) and your name may be submitted to the Falcons. This was an actual ad. Hilarious!
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:33 pm
Yes, but on the bright side, Tech didn’t lose. And neither did the Braves.
DJ
November 22nd, 2009
6:34 pm
Did anyone see the “Can you be an NFL field goal kicker” crawler at the bottom of the Jets/Patriots game? Says you may compete from 1 to 3 pm on Moday (tomorrow) at Morehouse College and your name may be submitted to the Falcons. This was an actual ad. Hilarious!
Havinthangs
November 22nd, 2009
6:34 pm
Matty Ice still had a big turnover before the half that cost us a TD. Yea he played good in the 2nd half, but in the League you have to play smart football all 4 quarters. These last 4 games have been heartbreakers.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:35 pm
*should say “traded for Hill”
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
6:37 pm
Coutu??? Ha ha… ROTFLMAO… This is how we got into this mess back when Petrino was here and he brought in that inexperienced Place Kicker, then we’ve been revolving kicker ever since… We need to get a trio to work together… Glitches are killing them… Line up, shift the ball and kick it!!!
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:37 pm
If the Falcons play better offensively by spreading the field and playing from the NO HUDDLE…
… THEN WHY THE HELL DON’T THEY DO THAT EVERY FRAKKING TIME THEY HAVE THE BALL???
I mean come on! Who’s the OC, Mike Bobo? Do what works! Stop doing what doesn’t!
It can’t be that hard, right?
Bob Horner stayed hurt
November 22nd, 2009
6:37 pm
hawesg….it’s too risky (but I gree with you we should have gone for 2pts)…I knew in my heart we’d lose in OT….we’d had blown our wad…
lawton
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
lol, back to back winning seasons.
mj
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
Elam has a better hook than Ali or Frazier. Three games he shanked the 30 yard and under chip shot. I certainly hope we don’t keep him just because he is from here. We either got to blitz like no other to put pressure on the QB or we will get killed with the pass. Our cornerbacks couldn’t cover even if they won the lottery! They sux!!
David Smith
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
Matt Ryan did all he could to cover up for some of his teammates many mistakes (Elam’s chip shot field goal miss, Michael Jenkins dropped TD catch in the end zone, and Chris Houston getting abused by recievers yet again). We had an golden opportunity to gain some ground in the playoff race only to see it evaporate. Matt deserves better than this.
Burnt Grimes
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
It will be very hard to win in the NFL with Ryan playing as scared and timid as he did in the first half. Add to that the fact Jenkins chokes frequently and you’ve got real problems. Then throw in Crisp Houston giving up guaranteed third down conversions each game with either a completion or pass interference and you’re really in trouble. Then throw in the fact that Grimes is physically overmatched on the outside and you pretty much have no chance.
Hopefully Ryan decides to play with some courage for 60 minutes from now on. But Elam, Jenkins and houston are beyond help.
Hey Schultzie, your’re closer to the situation than anyone here, so you tell us. Do you think the Falcons brass realize Chris Houston is a lower-tier DB and that his coverage technique (rarely turns head to make a play on the ball) is poor? Or do they think they have a gem in him? I ask because they always seem to try to get someone to play opposite Houston, but never to actually replae him.
Do the falcons think he is playing good football? Just curious.
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
Dawgs, Hawks, Falcons, and Thrashers all lose this weekend. Man is this city cursed or what?? How sad is that?
——-
knock it off alright!! How difficult is it to stick to the script? stop being negative.
FalconsVGiants
November 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm
“The Falcons lost a game but saved a season”
It’ll be “fun” to see how veteran-like the falcons make the Bucs QB seem. The defense will make that game way more closer than it really should be.
preston
November 22nd, 2009
6:39 pm
Bugkiller- Ithink that you are on to something with Brandon Coutu, who is currently a free agent:
“At the University of Georgia, he kicked three field goals of over 50 yards, his longest was 58 yards. He never missed a PAT at Georgia and was the first kicker in Georgia history to have over 80% field goal accuracy.”
“The Seahawks will keep only one kicker this season. But which one? Proven veteran Olindo Mare or promising second-year man Brandon Coutu?”
“He Remained on Seattle’s active roster all season, but was inactive all 16 games. Was a perfect 7-of-7 during the preseason, but could not win the job from Olindo Mare.”
He is definately available.
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
6:40 pm
We was outside practicing our kicking. This may be the break Sonny Clusters has been waiting on.
mj
November 22nd, 2009
6:40 pm
Its not Mike Bobo, but Mike BoZo. And that’s the Bulldog blog!!
betweenthehedges
November 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
VanGorder seems to have slowed a step, granted talent is younger and less experienced compared to last year. Today I felt like I watched a defense from Athens play on consecutive days, as continuously they got beat on similar plays. Kevin Boss was uncovered often, due to lack of adjustments. If this continues Id appreciate VanGorder to go back to his roots of successful Dawgs teams; although just a hopeless wish, the idea draws appeal.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
JSS…what is exactly funny about Coutu?
Was he not one of the best placekickers in NCAA history?
YOU explain how he could worse than Elam right now.
Morons like you, who just come here to be negative, without an actual reason, just to be negative, and don’t have any ideas on how things can be made better, are no worse than all the racist Vick fans who troll the blogs like the guy who’s gone by Vick Supporter 2 / Bad News / bigeasy831 / FALCONS SORRY / “Choke.
Maybe you ARE that guy. We know he likes to pretend to be other people on the blog to have “names” that agree with his ridiculous racist trolling.
I think JSS is “Choke.”
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
I wouldn’t have gone for two. The way the Falcons had moved the second half, I’d rather take a 50/50 shot on winning the coin toss than a 33/67 shot at scoring the deuce.
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
Mark Bradley, the Braves don’t have to play a game to lose… Are they done restocking other teams with quality relievers and power hitting 1st basemen yet?
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:42 pm
If the Falcons play better offensively by spreading the field and playing from the NO HUDDLE…
… THEN WHY THE HELL DON’T THEY DO THAT EVERY FRAKKING TIME THEY HAVE THE BALL???
I mean come on! Who’s the OC, Mike Bobo? Do what works! Stop doing what doesn’t!
It can’t be that hard, right?
——-
Me and Smitty just talked about this. No huddle form now onwards. Was I hot or what? I got my mojo back. Ice ice baby. see you at the dome next week. no huddle from start to finish.
The no huddle allows me to show my intangibles game management skills. I told you clowns I would adjust.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:42 pm
Brandon Coutu could get a call. So could Morten Andersen. So could Mick Luckurst.
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
6:43 pm
We heard Elam missed the plane, Jenkins dropped his luggage, and Houston interfered with takeoff. They was stuck in New York.
Bob Horner stayed hurt
November 22nd, 2009
6:44 pm
Elam’s missed field goals are the difference between 7-3 and 5-5 right now.
BugKiller….I’ll split the difference with you…Elam has probably cost us 1 game…not 2….and I AGREE with you we need a new kicker….TODAY……
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:44 pm
Is anyone else sick and tired of seeing the Mark Richt Ford commercial?
Bob Horner stayed hurt
November 22nd, 2009
6:45 pm
Sonny…you’re a fuuny guy…..
LOL
November 22nd, 2009
6:45 pm
Welp Falcons, this is as good as it gets. You rebuilt, and came up short. Vanilla Ice Ryan has plateaued. See ya next year. Maybe you can draft a new QB and find an offensive line. LOL
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:45 pm
HEY COACH, STOP STARRING IN TELEVISION COMMERCIALS AND START INJECTING SOME ACCOUNTABILITY BACK INTO OUR PROGRAM!
SICK OF RICHT!!!
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:45 pm
Bugkiller- Ithink that you are on to something with Brandon Coutu, who is currently a free agent:
“At the University of Georgia, he kicked three field goals of over 50 yards, his longest was 58 yards. He never missed a PAT at Georgia and was the first kicker in Georgia history to have over 80% field goal accuracy.”
“The Seahawks will keep only one kicker this season. But which one? Proven veteran Olindo Mare or promising second-year man Brandon Coutu?”
“He Remained on Seattle’s active roster all season, but was inactive all 16 games. Was a perfect 7-of-7 during the preseason, but could not win the job from Olindo Mare.”
He is definately available.
——
Ok you folks are getting out of hand now. We need a real kicker not some guy who went to your alma mater. I already heard enough about UGA from DJ, we don’t need anymore bulldogs on this team.
JP
November 22nd, 2009
6:46 pm
Well said Mark, my thoughts exactly. That’s the kind of quarterback Matt Ryan has to be if he’s going to live up to his potential and if the Falcons are ever going to be anything. I get aggravated with seeing Ryan be so quick to scramble outside and throw the ball away. There are times for that, but most of the time a QB needs to step up in the pocket and try to make a play. This is the first time I’ve really seen him consistently step up in there and make the necessary throws down the field. There was no Michael Turner to fall back on this time, even though Snelling did a very nice job in his place. If only we had another receiving option (seriously … Roddy White is better suited as a No. 2 and Michael Jenkins can’t be relied on) and a couple of cornerbacks.
GRENADE!!!!
November 22nd, 2009
6:46 pm
Didn’t think Grimes or Houston would turn around when I screamed that.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
6:47 pm
Let me also point out that the Giants missed a short field goal in regulation.
Bob Horner stayed hurt
November 22nd, 2009
6:47 pm
Georgia Saturday’s are built “Ford tough…”…..that does NOT encourage me to buy a Ford….
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
6:48 pm
BugKiller…
Almost as sick of them as reading your whining comments, because you’re both “Bulldog Tuff!” By the way, that means you’re defective and in need of a recall!!!
WDE!!!
November 22nd, 2009
6:49 pm
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Joe
November 22nd, 2009
6:49 pm
That’s the NFL “Sudden Death” for you. Whoever wins the coing toss wins the game. All you need is a first down or two and if you have a decent field goal kicker, it’s over. Both teams should have a shot at scoring. Not sour grapes. I’ve always felt that way. That’s why the NFL stinks. Go College Football!!!!
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:49 pm
JSS…what is exactly funny about Coutu? Was he not one of the best placekickers in NCAA history? YOU explain how he could worse than Elam right now.
Morons like you, who just come here to be negative, without an actual reason, just to be negative, and don’t have any ideas on how things can be made better, are no worse than all the racist Vick fans who troll the blogs like the guy who’s gone by Vick Supporter 2 / Bad News / bigeasy831 / FALCONS SORRY / “Choke.
Maybe you ARE that guy. We know he likes to pretend to be other people on the blog to have “names” that agree with his ridiculous racist trolling.
I think JSS is “Choke.”
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:50 pm
JSS…what is exactly funny about Coutu? Was he not one of the best placekickers in NCAA history? YOU explain how he could worse than Elam right now.
Morons like you, who just come here to be negative, without an actual reason, just to be negative, and don’t have any ideas on how things can be made better, are no worse than all the racist Vick fans who troll the blogs like the guy who’s gone by Vick Supporter 2 / Bad News / bigeasy831 / FALCONS SORRY / “Choke.
Maybe you ARE that guy. We know he likes to pretend to be other people on the blog to have “names” that agree with his ridiculous racist trolling. I think JSS is “Choke.”
Burnt Grimes
November 22nd, 2009
6:50 pm
The way things work in the NFL, it is doubtful Coutu gets called because so many folks on this blog are asking for it. Ego won’t allow the Falcons to call him at this point.
preston
November 22nd, 2009
6:50 pm
lol…….what am I missing about Bugkiller’s reference to giving Couto a shot, after a little internet research, it doesn’t appear to hurt to at least give hime a shot. And we are all calling for Elam’s head. It looks like Seattle let him go because they already had a proven vet in Mare, but I havent read anything negative about Couto’s abilities:
The Seattle Seahawks made a number of surprising moves Saturday to get down to the roster limit of 53.
Early in the day, word came that they had cut starting safety Brian Russell and signed 35-year-old safety Lawyer Milloy, who played for coach Jim Mora in Atlanta in 2006.
Adding to that stunner, the Seahawks then cut linebacker D.D. Lewis, a versatile backup who figured to be the fourth linebacker.
The team chose to keep veteran Olindo Mare over second-year kicker Brandon Coutu, obviously prizing Mare’s deep kickoffs over Coutu’s youth.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/248938-seattle-seahawks-cut-dd-lewis-brandon-coutu-marcus-trufant-on-pup
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
6:50 pm
They was a big time kicker named Tim Mazzetti that caught on with the Falcons back in 1978, six games into the season and then he kicked real good for them. We was reading about it. He kicked 4 game winning field goals. He was 5 for 5 on Monday Night Football. A Clusters could do that.
mj
November 22nd, 2009
6:51 pm
Yeah, they did miss one. However Shankapotmus has missed three chip shots this year and one was buried because we won. He’s missed six field goals this year. Can’t do that with a defense that ranks in the lower tier. We scored 31 points. In the NFL you should have won with that if you are a playoff team.