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
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.