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
Greg Mendel
November 22nd, 2009
6:52 pm
Same old Falcons? Hardly. The same old Falcons would have folded in the second quarter (or after the second game). Before overtime, Matt Ryan and the offense generated 31 points. The defense gave up 31 points. There’s this year’s problem.
After the aberration of last year, this year’s team is dealing with a second-year QB, harder schedule (including teams coming off byes), corners who looked great last spring, but are permanently awful, a laundry list of critical injuries, and a kicker who lost his mojo. Their primary running back is out — and was “out while in” during most games this season. Norwood has been injured forever, and when he plays, falls down when touched. More work to do.
But the same old Falcons would have caved long ago. The Smiths would have hired and fired six coaches between pre-season and now, including the brother-in-law of somebody they met in an airport bar.
The same old Falcons’ motto was “wait ’til next year,” but you always knew next year would be just like every year. I don’t have that feeling about this bunch. Having been a Falcon fan since 1966, I don’t find “this year” so bad, and I’m looking forward to next year and a lot more.
I don’t think the Smiths really cared whether the team won or lost. They could afford to be patient forever, because it wasn’t patience for them — it was apathy. I think Arthur Blank has patience, but Blank wants to build a winner. I think he will. If others don’t agree, Blank will warmly welcome them back on the bandwagon in a couple of years.
t_height
November 22nd, 2009
6:52 pm
Matt Ryan must have been doing foot work with marvin williams in the off season. this dude can’t scramble without falling flat on his face to save his life. Its a good thing its a football game. he reminds me of a white woman in a horror movie running for her life. This is the one spot
vick is really missed. His accuracy is horrible and he going to get the receivers killed, hurt or something. The o-line sucks in passing also. J. Snelling to be as big as he is is scared to lower his d. shoulders. He’s too soft. The offense makes the defense look horrible.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:53 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.
You’re just here to talk crap and be negative.
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.”
Falcon Obit
November 22nd, 2009
6:53 pm
Only lowly falcon fans would find comfort in a “moral victory”…..LOL
WDE!!!
November 22nd, 2009
6:53 pm
He is a kicker, all he has to do all week is kick a ball through the uprights. That’s it. Exactly why everyone on a football team hates kickers.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
6:53 pm
CHECK THE FRAKKING FILTER PLEASE!!!
BossMan
November 22nd, 2009
6:53 pm
Dang Sonny, that’s funny. You forgot : “J. Anderson stood there and watched the whole thing”.
t_height
November 22nd, 2009
6:54 pm
“Greg Mendel” you say the defense gave up 31 points, i think 21 one of the points came after turnovers in our territory.
tw3a
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
I hate the NFL OT rule. You can lose the game without ever putting your strogest unit on the field, so you lost by a coin toss. Today Atlanta’s well some of their offence deserved a chance. Until we get 2 quality receives that plays the full game. Matt Ryan’s hands are tied. Only TGcomes back for the ball, Jenkins is a wates of good money, and Roddy is on then he is off. But with what they had today they did ol TD will get Atlanta the players this I am sure of.
preston
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
Dump- yu ppl kill me sometimes with your comments. Dude, it doesnt matter to me what college he went to, it could be him or anybody else, just as long as they are consistent, reliable and dependable. It is obvious that we are having some serious issues with our kicking game, and een Bradly says he is willing to say that Elam will be replaced sooner than later…………….any suggestions????
Fair and Balanced
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
This ain’t horseshoes…it doesn’t count if its close. Its a loss, no silver linings, ITS JUST A LOSS.
high school offense
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
No pass defense. Terrible kicking. Same old thing. Ryan did play a lot better today though. Better decision making. We missed Turner but I thought Snelling did as good as he could. Falcons are definately not a playoff team. They are very very mediocre at best. Hope we can win 9 games. Tampa may beat us next weekend our defense don’t tighten up.
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
I get aggravated with seeing Ryan be so quick to scramble outside and throw the ball away.
—-
Arthur keeps bugging me about attendance at the dome. He told me that if I run around a little bit more before I throw the ball more people will show up.
I have no idea where he got this idea from. He said something about the previous Qb, but that was before my time so Oh Well.
It’s the Matty Ice era. Ice ice babby.
No huddle from now onwards. got my mojo back I feel good. bring on the tampa bay bandits
James
November 22nd, 2009
6:58 pm
Sonny Clusters, you just made me laugh. Good luck to you in tryouts, sir.
Elam saved our butts a few times last year, but he’s just off now. He might want to hang it up while people still have (mostly) good memories…
Ryan looked bad and then good. Maybe the light came on!
Brandon Coutu might be worth a shot. What is it with teams that play in downtown ATL having such bad kicking (my jackets…)?
Todd - Dacula
November 22nd, 2009
6:58 pm
A loss is a loss; a good QB will produce both halves of the game. Enough excuses for this guy. You people want him to be your QB that bad. I get it; he’s here… As a Falcon Fan, I just want and expect more, from every position. If Matt Ryan get a pass, then why ot the Defensive Secondary…
Trade this guy and get some better DB’s; the team would be much better.
Can't outfox a fox
November 22nd, 2009
6:59 pm
ice ice baby yall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aI6EAsKvgg
keep it real
November 22nd, 2009
7:00 pm
now that the matt ryan is the next peyton manning talk has resided, (hey, i stick by my word, this kid is gonna be really, really good in year 3, possibly pro-bowl, and all-pro from his 4th year & up) it was finally great to see ryan not playing scared! his confidence has been shaken and the offensive line has been getting their lunch eaten, but you could tell that ryan was getting angry in the second half and played much better for it. (reminded me of his second game last year against tampa)
i think when the iceman plays with a little more emotion, he actually performs better,
oh, that and the no-huddle would help.
Singletary
November 22nd, 2009
7:00 pm
Elam, whatever MR2 to regain his icy-ness. DO IT. You gotta get your mojo back, this is THREE games where the compass pointer stops at E (for Elam Error.) .
mj
November 22nd, 2009
7:02 pm
Todd-Dacula, we scored 31 points and should had another 10. There are probably no less than 24 teams in the NFL that would lick there chops to have Ryan. We cover receivers and make chip shot field goals and the game is over. QB is not our problem.
DaculaJones
November 22nd, 2009
7:03 pm
Ryan’s a chump
Vick would have called “heads”……hehe
Dump The Chump
November 22nd, 2009
7:05 pm
Todd-Dacula, we scored 31 points and should had another 10. There are probably no less than 24 teams in the NFL that would lick there chops to have Ryan. We cover receivers and make chip shot field goals and the game is over. QB is not our problem.
——
you are the fan of the day. you are now a board moderator. This is the kind of support the team needs.
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2009
7:05 pm
The falcons are done for the season.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:05 pm
I don’t believe the Falcons are done. I’m pretty sure they’ll play six more games. And maybe more than that.
Die-Hard
November 22nd, 2009
7:08 pm
Although I think Elam has to go for blowing kicks, I think you have to put the majority of the blame for todays loss on Micheal Jenkins. In the endzone and right in the hands. What is up with that?
TonyHD
November 22nd, 2009
7:08 pm
LOL..
“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…”
Die-Hard
November 22nd, 2009
7:10 pm
…and wide open to boot.
mj
November 22nd, 2009
7:10 pm
Well if we are going beyond the end of regular season, they have to make some type of major adjustment on defense. We struggle with any, our defense would make Pat Sullivan look good. There has to be major adjustments in the secondary. As for “shankapotamus”, good week of bring in kickers will correct that problem.
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2009
7:11 pm
I’m a Saints fan Mr. Bradley, from the 70130. From my point of view, they’re well done. Of course you’re one of their beat writers and you’re way more invested in them. See you in a few weeks.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:11 pm
Jenkins dropped a pass. Ryan fumbled. Elam missed a kick.
But the Giants had eight penalties — to the Falcons’ three — and missed a field goal and Eli Manning threw an interception.
My point being: New York was the better team most of the day, and still the Falcons managed to get the game to overtime. That’s something to build on.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:13 pm
The way I see it: There are four should-wins left on the schedule: Buffalo, the Jets and the Tampa Bay games. That would put the Falcons at nine wins. Split the games with the Saints and the Eagles and that’s 10-6.
From a wild-card perspective, beating the Eagles would be bigger than beating the Saints.
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
7:13 pm
At least I don’t continually repost…
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
7:13 pm
Mr. Blank didn’t have a good day either. Sartorially speaking.
Neil
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
The Falcons need to find a DEFENSE!!! This is the worst defense I’ve ever seen play professional football.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
I saw A.M. Blank had on a black topcoat. Beyond that I didn’t notice.
Men vs Boys
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
Wow. This article sounded like a Mark Richt press conference. Until Ryan can stand tall in the pocket, until our receivers can finish their routes and make plays downfield and until our secondary can cover ANYONE (This means just not running beside them but actually stopping them from catching the ball), this will not be a playoff team. Nor should it be. If the Falcons make the playoffs playing this type of football, it will be a poor reflection on the NFC.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:15 pm
This is not the worst defense ever. But it’s closer to the worst than it is the best.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:15 pm
Ryan stood pretty darn tall that second half, wouldn’t you say?
mj
November 22nd, 2009
7:15 pm
Who can we beat in the playoffs? Got to address the secondary. We have major problems there. Continue to get beat in third down situations that should not happen to playoff teams.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:16 pm
Playoffs? We’re talking playoffs now?
WW
November 22nd, 2009
7:16 pm
Ryan and the defense played well. The team will continue to get better, if they play like today, so I’m not upset. We’re letting little stupid stuff burn us.
ambushed
November 22nd, 2009
7:16 pm
Where is Brandon Coutu…paging Mr. Coutu!
mj
November 22nd, 2009
7:17 pm
Nah, just cracked open a Coor light and it slipped out!
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:17 pm
Let’s be honest: The Falcons aren’t a Super Bowl team. Not yet. But they’re 5-5 with the hardest part of their schedule behind them. They’ve got a shot to have a winning season and grab a wild card. Realistically, that was about the best we could have hoped in a year with five new defensive starters.
Sonny Clusters
November 22nd, 2009
7:19 pm
We was never one to criticize another athlete but Chris Houston seemed to be coming up short all day. He’d jump up and signal no catch right after somebody caught one on him. Then, he’d interfere with somebody and jump up and act all innocent. We was thinking Jenkins would be better at knocking down balls than Houston — at least today.
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
7:20 pm
By the way, as badly as a number of teams need place kicking, Brandon Coutu continues to be unemployed… There is a reason besides the fact that Jim Mora doesn’t like him!
Moreover, whenever someone does not agree with you, you fall back on that tired they must be the same person. I welcome Mark Bradley and the AJC IT Tech Dept to review my IP addy and domain and let your little mind in on a big secret… Look very closely, more than one person thinks that you are foolish and disagrees with you on this forum… Ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh now… You are waking sensible people…
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
7:20 pm
Jenkins is especially good at batting away balls in the end zone.
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2009
7:21 pm
Ya’ll will split the Tampa games and lose to both Saints and eagles. 8-8 at best.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
7:21 pm
Mark,
WHERE IS OWENS??? He can’t be worse than the clowns out there right now!
Thank you,
Owens’ Mama
mj
November 22nd, 2009
7:21 pm
We knew we had problems in the second pre season game with the secondary. The third down conversions killed us. We addressed it with waiver players and discounted backups. We cannot be legit without some type of corner help. I know it won’t be addressed till next year, but it must be addressed.
Fair and Balanced
November 22nd, 2009
7:23 pm
This “certainty” of being the Bucs is pretty funny.