A big win only in the sense it wasn’t an even bigger loss
They won this one without Matt Ryan, but they'll need him soon. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
That wasn’t mere urgency at their backs on that final drive. It was utter desperation. The Falcons can read the schedule and the standings, and they know the difference between 6-5 and 5-6 is more than one game, especially when the opponent tipping the balance arrived at 1-9.
“Going under .500,” Roddy White would say later, after he’d caught the fourth-down touchdown pass that won it, “that’s desperation.”
The Falcons escaped Sunday’s game with a season’s worth of hopes still alive, but with every week those hopes are tempered by mounting reality. They started 4-1. Then they lost four of five. They were one play from making it five of six against an overmatched opponent coached by a man seemingly determined to keep both teams in the game. And even after they’d won, this was the verdict of Todd McClure, the center: “One of the ugliest wins I’ve ever been involved with.”
Said Mike Smith, the coach who works hard to say nothing: “We tried numerous ways not to win the game.”
Eventually the Falcons overcame it all — on this given Sunday. The next two might not be so kind. Philadelphia plays here next week, and then the Saints. And there’s no guarantee the Falcons will have their starting quarterback or starting tailback for either game.
Per infuriating team policy, Smith would say nothing about the injuries to Matt Ryan’s big toe or Michael Turner’s ankle. “We’ll know more Wednesday,” he said, perhaps referring to the Wednesday before Memorial Day. But the Falcons lost players at such a dizzying rate Sunday — two offensive linemen were also hurt — that erosion has to be factored into any calculation regarding playoff chances.
The locker room was full of happy talk afterward — beat the Bugtussle Bovines on fourth-and-goal and you’re excited — but there was reality interspersed. The Falcons were outgained and largely outplayed by a Tampa Bay team working behind a rookie quarterback. Their only touchdown in the first 59 minutes and 37 seconds came on a gimmick play. Their quarterbacks were sacked six times. They missed (another!) field goal. They had a punt blocked. They lost a fumble. They were lucky as heck to win.
“That was a good football team we played today,” said Smith, lying.
Said Tony Gonzalez, who caught four Chris Redman passes on the frantic final drive: “We had so many things going against us … Winning this game is really a credit to the way we work.”
Well, yes. It was that. But it was also further evidence that these Falcons lack a separation gear. They led 10-0 but trailed 17-10. They needed six passes inside the 10 — one incompletion was overridden by defensive holding — to score the winning points. White finally made the decisive catch but only after not making the decisive catch three snaps earlier.
The Eagles and Michael Vick are up next — “The winner of this game is going to make the playoffs,” said White, thinking a bit too far ahead — and that will be taxing for all involved even though Vick’s role has been reduced to a cameo. Beyond this arduous fortnight lie three seemingly winnable games, but it took so much to win this one at home that you wonder if the Falcons, to use a Mark Richt expression, have enough juice.
Asked how the mood would have been had that fourth-down pass fallen incomplete, McClure said: “It wouldn’t have been pretty. But that’s the nature of the NFL. One play can change the mindset of a team.”
At issue isn’t so much the minds of the Falcons as their bodies. They haven’t been quite as good as advertised, and now they’re losing men. They still have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, but they might not have enough players.
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412 comments Add your comment
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
10:17 pm
Mark, I have a strong feeling that, if we don’t sign a kicker soon that we must see one we’re planning to draft. Personally, I’d rather go ahead and sign someone now, even if just to a short term deal. Plug that hole now before it costs us another game.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:17 pm
I was at the game today — sat in the upper levels on the 50 — and I have to say that it was surreal seeing Ryan stand on the sidelines the entire game. I didn’t know what was wrong with him until afterward.
Though we only won in the final seconds against a one win team, I’ll take it any day with our starting quarterback going down and our star running back falling, also. We were outplayed and won, which is significantly better than looking like the better team and losing like we’ve done a couple times lately. Just got to get healthy and show up vs. the Eagles and Saints now; we REALLY need one of those games — preferably the one against the Eagles — before going into our final stretch of winnable games to close the season.
(I still think we’ll be a playoff team when all is said and done.)
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
BugKiller
You’re the only “person” on here talking about dogfighting…not even PETA is talking about it…let it go and talk football woman
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:20 pm
Regarding Elam’s struggles, I don’t place them on Elam’s “foot.”
Today’s miss was the result of a bad snap I could see from the upper deck. The ones from the last two weeks were a glitch in timing between the snapper, Koenen, and Elam. The guy’s still got a tremendous leg and we’d be foolish, in my opinion, to get rid of him considering his track record.
We need to lock those guys in a room in Flowery Branch and have them work on their timing. You’re not going to find a better free agent kicker on the market right now than Jason Elam.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
10:20 pm
Bird Lady, I couldn’t have said it better myself ! Thanks sister !
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
10:21 pm
I don’t think they can wait for the draft. They’ve got to win four of these next five games.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
“Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:17 pm
I was at the game today — sat in the upper levels on the 50 — and I have to say that it was surreal seeing Ryan stand on the sidelines the entire game
——————————————-
Surreal? How is it “surreal” when the guy on the sideline (Ryan) is sucking really badly right now? i said it before that the Falcons could win a game or 2 with Redmon. He just proved it
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
Vick Supporter is right. Let’s talk football.
Mike Vick ran the ball twice today for four yards, and missed on his only passing attempt. So far this seasson he’s attempted 8 passes, completing three of them for six yards. And he’s ran for 61.
Forget Peyton. Give him the damn MVP trophy…
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
10:24 pm
It’s strange to think the Eagles-Falcons game could be played without either Vick or Ryan having much to do with it. But that’s the way it’s looking.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:24 pm
Blaming the kicker, lol. Everyone!!!! Your Atlanta Falcon Fans!!!!!!! Blame everyone but Ryan!!! lol
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
10:24 pm
It’s strange to think the Eagles-Falcons game could be played without either Vick or Ryan having much to do with it. But that’s the way it’s looking.
=————————————————————-
Vick is going to break a big play on the Falcons, Mark
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:25 pm
No, Vick Supporter, the truth behind what happened.
And why only the most blind of fools believe someone of his psychological makeup actually feels remorseful for what he did.
A sociopath is incapable of remorse, of empathy with living things.
Do you realize the kind of detachment from the human condition that has to happen for someone to be able to torture and kill animals the way he did?
It’s the kind of behavior found in serial killers as children.
You believe he “paid his debt” and has “shown remorse.”
But what has he done to show you this, accept anything and everything for his OWN benefit. To get money. To get back on the field. To escape his creditors.
Everything he has done is for his OWN benefit, not anyone or anything elses. His quotes today prove his narcicism.
He isn’t sorry. He’s incapable of being sorry.
You say “it’s only animals” without understanding how deeply disturbed someone has to be to do the things he did to “only animals.”
He may have served time in prison, and he may be doing some PSAs to help rebuild HIS reputation.
But don’t fool yourself for one minute that he’s sorry.
He simply cannot feel that emotion. He’s a sociopath.
That’s the honest truth. And you can buy into whatever he’s selling because he once made you cheer on in the stands.
And what does that say about YOU?
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:27 pm
Ryan’s in a slump. He’s also a sophomore in the NFL.
He played well last week in New York, and hit on all three of his passes today — one of them was dropped. He was also solid in the DC game, though everyone’s solid against Washington.
Matt has slumped since Week 5. You can’t give up on the guy because of that. Well, you could, but it wouldn’t be wise.
Redman did a good job today managing the game, and aside from holding the ball a little longer than he should at times — three of those six sacks were on him more than the line — he did what we needed him to do to win. That said, Ryan’s the starter and needs to be going forward. The guy’s got too much potential to sit behind a journeyman quarterback like Chris Redman, even if it means we finish 9-7 and out of the playoffs. Simply put.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
No, Vick Supporter, the truth behind what happened.
And why only the most blind of fools believe someone of his psychological makeup actually feels remorseful for what he did.
A sociopath is incapable of remorse, of empathy with living things.
Do you realize the kind of detachment from the human condition that has to happen for someone to be able to torture and kill animals the way he did?
It’s the kind of behavior found in serial killers as children.
You believe he “paid his debt” and has “shown remorse.”
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
How do you know Vick is “incapable of being sorry”? You’ve met him, have you? Looked him in the eye?
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:28 pm
sorry for the half double post at 2228
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
I just checked in on playoffticker.com, and the up to date odds for the Falcons to make the playoffs is 31.24%. If they win out, the odds of making the playoffs is 99.8%. Odds of winning the Super Bowl is 0.47%. As much as I’d like to see the Falcons make the playoffs, right now I’d be happy with 9 wins and breaking the curse.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:30 pm
BugKiller: “But what has he done to show you this, accept anything and everything for his OWN benefit. To get money. To get back on the field. To escape his creditors.”
The creditors are getting half his check. He’s running from no one and he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. let it go man. He lost almost everything. What more do you want man? Really.
Why do you hold so much racial hatred in you?
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:30 pm
BK, we don’t know Vick to know whether he feels remorse or not. To say that he’s a “sociopath,” etc. is a bit presumptive, as well.
The guy paid his dues and served his time. He also lost a lot more in life than any of us likely will in our lifetimes for his mistakes. Give the guy a chance before writing him off at this point. He’s done everything right — well, off the football field — since his return.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
10:30 pm
I thought I smelled something……….
Oh what’s up Peach
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:31 pm
Exactly, MB.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
Mark,
Sociopaths are by definition incapable of feeling remorse.
Everything he’s ever done, including what he’s done since he’s been out of prison lends more credence and proof, day after day, of his narcicistic sociopathic nature.
Most people in the psychological community believe these people beyond saving, because they lack that part in their make-up, whether mental or emotional, that allows them to feel empathy with living things.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
I’m with you, T-Money. We’ve lost some games we shouldn’t have lost along the way, but you can’t deal in past mistakes and have to continue to play every Sunday. If we finish 9-7 or 10-6 and miss the postseason, I don’t write it off as a failure.
The organization has had a few bumps along the path, but God, if things don’t look brighter than they did a couple years ago, and with our young roster and — in my opinion, anyway — solid leadership on the sidelines and upstairs, I’m very pleased with the general direction of the franchise. In fact, I say that about pretty much all the sporting entitites in this city right now. It’s a good time to be an Atlanta area sports fan.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:34 pm
Benjamin
BugKiller is a racist. he can’t understand what you’re trying to say
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
10:35 pm
I’m sorry, BugKiller. What has he done since he has been out of prison that lends credence to your theory that he’s a sociopath?
And please don’t give me that “serial killer” line anymore. You’ve been watching too much A&E.
SRF
November 29th, 2009
10:36 pm
This place is ridiculous.
We have detailed psycho-analysis going on here and Redman has an OK game against
a 1-9 team and suddenly he is the new Peyton ?
Good grief
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:36 pm
Killer, you’re stretching and then some with the “everything he’s ever done” argument, man. Vick has handled himself quite well in the face of all the things that he’s had to face since getting out. What are you pointing to as examples of his continued narcissistic, sociopathic ways?
In my opinion, the guy’s done his time and deserves a chance at redemption. People should give it to him.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:37 pm
Vick Supporter, my last two roommates are black.
Race has nothing to do with this… FOR ME. We can’t say the same for you.
Benjamin,
The nature of the man’s crimes and his behavior during the investigation and since are more than enough anecdotal evidence to bear out a diagnosis of narcissistic sociopath.
Think about it rationally:
The constant lying, even when the lies were tumbling down around him. Most people would break far sooner than Vick did and admit the truth. He didn’t. He believed the simple fact that HE is Michael Vick would protect him from the law, and even more, allow him to get away with doing unlawful things.
No, he ONLY told the truth when he absolutely had to, and at the very moment when the choice was: a little jail time, or a LOT of jail time…
Steve Kragthorpe « Popular People
November 29th, 2009
10:37 pm
[...] A big win only in the sense it wasn't an even bigger loss | Mark … [...]
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:38 pm
BugKiller: “It’s the kind of behavior found in serial killers as children.”
Bruh, show me one article where Vick has physically harmed a human being or hurt anyone in his family. he was taking care of his ENTIRE FAMILY, and AND some friends. Man you are sick, and i can’t believe you’re still allowed to make comments.
I talk football, woman. people don’t like me on here, but there are a lot who do and I don’t bring race into the convo. Go put on your hood and put a dip in your mouth and STFU
The Bird Lady
November 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
Vick Supporter, Can you be honest with me for a second, as you can see we don’t agree. What should have the Falcons and Author Blank done while Michael Vick was in jail ? Just want to see where you are coming from.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
There are a lot of reasons Vick could’ve been lying during that investigation, BK, and none of them are good. My personal take is that he knew what he stood to lose and didn’t want to lose it — and people lie for those reasons in scenarios big and small every day, not saying it’s right. His was just in a more high profile sense, so to speak.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
Hi Choke ! How are you my brother in Christ.
eric
November 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Hey Vick supporter, just because you mentioned Freeman on the live chat blog, don’t think you can deny it here:
“Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
2:07 pm
Boy does that Freeman have an arm……he can throw it DEEP with no problem….doesn’t have to wind his arm or anything
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/11/29/live-from-the-dome-im-back-and-sos-the-burner/comment-page-4/
I didn’t make anything up. You only like black QB’s, why don’t you just admit it???
JSS
November 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
15 traits of Sociopath (AKA BugKiller) who continually posts all the time to call attention to himself by feigning false rage at the actions of others…
er Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them (see blog by BugKiller towards anyone who asks him a question)
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them (See any blog by BugKiller)
Authoritarian (”Fire Willie Martinez and Ban Michael Vick or I will hold my breath!”)
Secretive (Yep)
Paranoid (Ha ha, yep that is BugKiller)
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired (Blogging to no end, hmmm, badgering those who take him on)
Conventional appearance (Well…, Mike Vick was never that conventional looking was he?)
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s) (No need to cite a reason there now)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim’s life (”Mark Bradley kick them off the blog. You must love Matt Ryan, you must!!! There is no reason you can not like him I say!”)
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim’s affirmation (respect, gratitude and love) (I only blog because these trolls are blind racists and they love Michael Vick.”)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim (”All these trolls are ruining my blogging experience!”)
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Mark,
He hasn’t tortured or killed anything since he’s been out of prison (that we know of).
But again, the nature of his crimes provides enough anecdotal evidence to his sociopathic nature.
The fact that he hasn’t continued to torture and kill living things since he’s gotten out simply means his personal sense of survival has kicked in.
It by no means changes who he is.
Again, to take pleasure in the pain and suffering of a living thing, not just by watching a dog fight or running a dog fighting ring, but by committing the acts of torture yourself and then laughing about it, enjoying it…
… these are not the actions of a normal human mind. A normal human mind that feels empathy or remorse.
classy
November 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Is matt choke ryan real? can you imagine it’s life? maybe a blowup doll with #7,loving,touching,squeezing. goodluck m”c”r, thanks for your fine standard in stupidty.sometimes you just gotta get your head out of your a$$. consider life dick.thanks
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
“He believed the simple fact that HE is Michael Vick would protect him from the law, and even more, allow him to get away with doing unlawful things.”
just like everyone on this blog right now, BugKiller. You’ve lied about something in your pathetic life. Your last 2 roomates are Black? So what? What did that statement prove?
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:43 pm
Now we have a good angle as to whom likes to take over other people’s screen names.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:44 pm
VS, just because he has those opinions doesn’t make him a racist, either. You guys are speaking from both ends of the same cone…
Vick did a terrible thing and got what he deserved. He served his time, and now deserves the opportunity to go on with his life. I was never a big fan of his because of my own personal reasons while he was here, but that’s no reason to kick a man while he’s down, and he deserves every opportunity to go on about his business now and try to make a life for himself.
It really is that simple… I don’t understand why the city of Atlanta makes a big deal about it either way now. It’s almost 2010, and he is long gone. My voice, to both camps, is to let it be.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
Eric, Freeman is good… he’s going to do good things for Tampa Bay, and they should’ve started him from day one. Don’t bring that race-based nonsense around here tonight, man.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
eric
i like Freeman because i said he had a good arm? You haven’t around these blogs very long have you? Manning and Brady happen to be 2 QBs that i like as well…I’ve said that numerous times, my caucasian friend
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
from http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/features/surgeongeneralreport/chapter4/sec1.asp
Sociopathy
This set of traits and behaviors refers to the predisposition to engage in dishonest, hurtful, unfaithful, and at times dangerous conduct to benefit one’s own ends. The opposite of sociopathy may be referred to as character or scrupulosity. In its full form, sociopathy is referred to as antisocial personality disorder (DSM-IV). Sociopathy is characterized by a tendency and ability to disregard laws and rules, difficulties reciprocating within empathic and intimate relationships, less internalization of moral standards (i.e., a weaker conscience or superego), and an insensitivity to the needs and rights of others. People scoring high in sociopathy often have problems with aggressivity and are overrepresented among criminal populations. Although not invariably associated with criminality, sociopathy is associated with problematic, unethical, and morally questionable conduct in the workplace and within social systems. Marked sociopathy is much more common among men than women, although several other disorders (borderline and histrionic personality disorders and somatization disorder) are overrepresented among women within the same families (Widiger & Costa, 1994).
In summary, the various traits and behavioral patterns that epitomize strong mental health do not, of course, exist in a vacuum: they develop in a social context, and they underpin people’s ability to handle psychological and social adversity and the exposure to stressful life events. Furthermore, as reviewed in Chapter 3, severe or repeated trauma during youth may have enduring effects on both neurobiological and psychological development, altering stress responsivity and adult behavior patterns. Perhaps the best documented evidence of such enduring effects has been shown in young adults who experienced severe sexual or physical abuse in childhood. These individuals experience a greatly increased risk of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders throughout adult life.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
The Bird Lady
November 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
Vick Supporter, Can you be honest with me for a second, as you can see we don’t agree. What should have the Falcons and Author Blank done while Michael Vick was in jail ? Just want to see where you are coming
“It’s Arthur not Author” and Vick was cut after his prison sentence, not during, so he could have kept Vick on the roster, like the Ravens did with Ray Lewis.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:48 pm
eric
Honestly, is Josh Freeman black? i really can’t tell what his race is. honestly
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
10:48 pm
I like Vick, but I was a realist. In 05 he started to decline, and 06 the slide continued. When they hired Petrino, I have hope that maybe the problem was Mora, but then Vick’s Dog Fighting became public, then Petrino quit, it was obviously time to move on.
Truth, the Vick story is a tragedy of wasted potential and lost opportunity of what could have been.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
10:48 pm
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
Hi Choke ! How are you my brother in Christ.
“Great baby – how have you been”?
Once "Recent" Reader
November 29th, 2009
10:50 pm
Not sure if anyone was watching the Lions game on Thanksgiving . . . .but if Stafford played with a separated shoulder . . .. . .well from whatI saw . . .it explains his results, and he probaby shouldn’t have played
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
10:50 pm
Mr Charlie
Its not over yet. Vick can still play
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
10:50 pm
VS, I also liked Freeman, he looks like he might be the real deal, the Bucs might be 1-9, but they have played well with him in there. He looks as likely to have long term succes as Sanchez and Stafford.