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
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:18 pm
The Boss: “The ONLY people that would cheer for MPrick are felons, racists and people that ONLY care and see skin color. You know, like most of the boneheads that voted for “O” based on this same premise!”
Your white “brothers” will be cheering also. Lets not forget them
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:18 pm
The Boss… that was uncalled for.
We’re actually trying to keep it somewhat above board.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
Yea, the who Vick=Psychopath thing is a little weak. Vick just did not have the mentors/skillset/willingness to listen to help him navigate the many pitfalls of sudden success. It is a tragedy. Maybe he will redeem himself, I wish him the best, but he has to earn it this time.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
Choke, turn on Joel Osteen. He is peaching a good word for you tonight !
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
Perhaps, VS. Even though he’s not my favorite player in the league by any stretch of the imagination — personally, I’m still a bitter bear myself because of how he left the franchise (I lean more toward the anti-Vick crowd than the pro-Vick crowd in that regard, for sure — I wish any man the opportunity at redemption, and as we’ve said for the past hour or so, love him or hate him, he deserves that right. I hope he makes the most of it.
Re: Once, I’ve noticed that places like message boards and comments sections are prone to dwell toward the negative because of several reasons, among them being people understanding they can hide behind keyboards (i.e. personal attacks) to the fact that negative conversation draws more attention than positive. Quite honestly, I don’t know how Bradley and co. do it day in and day out, writing pieces for us to read and then seeing themselves dragged through the mud like they are and watching the cockfighting show among posters who’ve never sat down for a beer/coffee and conversation, but presume to know enough about the other person that they’re “racists” or “idiots” or “jerks,” etc.. I suppose it makes things fun for the writers or something. Were it me, I’d moderate my comments a little more heavily, but then again, I like pro wrestling, so who am I to judge?
WW
November 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
I think Ryan with Ligament damage should do the kicking. Elam seems to have lost it.
My 8-8 prediction at the beginning of the season is going up in smoke.
On the bright side, we might be able to get JOE HADEN, CB, FLORIDA, in 2010:))
We lose the second round, but I say another OT in the third round, and kicker in the fourth.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:21 pm
Did Choke get band ? He hasn’t said anything in the last 30 minutes.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:22 pm
Perhaps, VS. Even though he’s not my favorite player in the league by any stretch of the imagination — personally, I’m still a bitter bear myself because of how he left the franchise (I lean more toward the anti-Vick crowd than the pro-Vick crowd in that regard, for sure — I wish any man the opportunity at redemption, and as we’ve said for the past hour or so, love him or hate him, he deserves that right. I hope he makes the most of it.
Re: Once, I’ve noticed that places like message boards and comments sections are prone to dwell toward the negative because of several reasons, among them being people understanding they can hide behind keyboards (i.e. personal attacks) to the fact that negative conversation draws more attention than positive. Quite honestly, I don’t know how Bradley and co. do it day in and day out, writing pieces for us to read and then seeing themselves dragged through the mud like they are and watching the cockfighting show among posters who’ve never sat down for a beer/coffee and conversation, but presume to know enough about the other person that they’re “racists” or “idiots” or “jerks,” etc.. I suppose it makes things fun for the writers or something. Were it me, I’d moderate my comments a little more heavily, but then again, I like pro wrestling, so who am I to judge…? lol
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:22 pm
WW… I’d rather have the two starting corners from Miami taken in round 1 and round 2.
Benjamin,
You’re right. I haven’t met the man. But the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. Have you read the sickening report about the actions Vick actually took part in?
It’s the stuff of Stephen King novels, man. The sick, twisted stuff.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:22 pm
If I just double posted, I’m sorry. My computer is acting up.
PMC
November 29th, 2009
11:23 pm
They don’t have the players to do much in the playoffs at this point without a lot of luck anyway so I’m hoping for at least 9-7. Just beat philly to make it interesting.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:24 pm
Will 2002-2005 Tom Brady show up tomorrow night ?!
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
The Falcon’s season is over. That’s all folks!!!!!! lmao
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
One game at a time…Philly is a big game for sure…..Should be fun.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
Which Tom Brady show up tomorrow night ?! 2002 ?! or 2008 !
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
Why is the Falcons season over?
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:27 pm
It all is what it is, BK. I’m not gonna judge a man who at least seems to trying to earn redemption without seeing a real reason he cannot, and at this time, I do not see anything that says he hasn’t done the right things in his path since leaving prison.
I’ve read and heard the stuff that Vick did. I’m an animal lover myself, and it sickened me as much as it did you, I’m sure. But again, he’s paid heavily — literally and figuratively — for his crimes and done his time. I can’t imagine that there are many people in the world who’d want to deal with the pressures he faces of waking up knowing he’s got that Scarlet Letter on his chest, man. I know you couldn’t pay me enough to have my reputation stained like that and want to walk outside, let alone go and play football in front of thousands of people every Sunday, with millions more judging me on a constant basis.
I still say the guy deserves a chance.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:28 pm
Even if they had Ryan, it wouldn’t matter. he can’t carry a team. Turner is hurt, and high ankle sprains linger all season, especially a re-aggravated one. Turner is the team….its over.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:28 pm
Goodnight, Vick Supporter. Don’t let bitterness get the best of you !
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:29 pm
I think we’re pretty much right where we expected to be.
I really like the future of this team, though, provided we have another good draft this offseason and pick up a couple key pieces. This team is going places.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
VS, if we beat either Philly or New Orleans, we’ve got four VERY winnable games left on the docket.
Stay tuned, in other words, if you really think this season is over. I think things are just starting to get good…
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Why did the coach start Turner today anyway ! Made no sense ! They could have beaten Tampa Bay with Snelling. Made No Sense !
Atl Resident
November 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
Atl, in case you did not know, the Falcons won and are 6-5.
To this dude, seriously, are you really expecting for me to be excited about this record jumping up and down after playing tampa bay. Come on, now. In this post Vick era, maybe if Ryan and these Falcons win rest of their games then I would have reason to be more excited about them more than the Hawks. I know better than to not get caught in all the hype about Ryan.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Well, Turner is a big loss, but he was not a factor at the beginning of the season, and they went 4-1, I can promise you one thing, they will still play the games and as long as they do that, either team has a chance.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:31 pm
Smith didn’t want to take chances, Peach.
And keep in mind we almost lost.
lol It was a cakewalk on the schedule that didn’t turn out to be so much of one in the end…
JSS
November 29th, 2009
11:32 pm
BugKiller, you are a person with a internet blogging addiction! Do you think I waste my good day worrying about Michael Vick and what you think about him? I just think you really need to check yourself and what you are saying about people that you have no interaction with outside of this forum! I do not Jeff Schultz, and we have discussed my position with him. I rarely come on his blog anymore calling him out on his crazy assertions; especially now that he was proven wrong on so many of those points. I repeat, I do not live vicariously through the athletic endeavors of other people. I had high school, college, and a short period following that to work that out of my system, except in Olympic years of course. I will continue to demean on this and any other blog that I see you on as long you continue to as if you as the thought police for one. Moreover, any man who feels that can continue to try to ruin a person after they have served their legal obligation to society sends “chills through my skin!”
moboman
November 29th, 2009
11:32 pm
This is the worst blog I have read on this site. I came to read/talk football. Lets give Redman some props for doing his job when called upon, and drop all the other BS. Listening to two guys berate each other over past history for three pages really gets old.
In that regard, I would say that Redman did a better job of reading the coverage than Ryan has all year. As good has Tony is, and as many good catches as he has made, his presence has not opened up the field. Ryan has seemed to focus too much on one receiver every play this season, and more often that not, it has been Tony. Matt is our QB, but he needs to improve in this area, and we need to stop rolling him out so often and cutting the width of the usable field in half for the opposing defense.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:33 pm
VS, THIS is where any understanding parts ways.
Ryan HAS led this team to some pretty big wins in his very YOUNG career.
Can he do it all? No. But if you actually be objective, Vick wouldn’t have done much of anything without Warrick Dunn, either.
Did Vick ever have a comeback like the win against Chicago?
Come on, man… there’s loyalty to a player, and then there’s just this irrational hate you and others have for Ryan that has NO basis in fact whatsoever.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:33 pm
Atl, you should be excited with a bit of historical context.
This team has never had back to back winning seasons and today’s win, close as it was, puts us in position to do that.
This team was in worse shape than the Oakland Raiders two years ago.
I don’t understand why people aren’t backing a 6-5 Falcons team, even if they were expected to be perhaps a game better at this juncture of the season. We’re getting better!
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:35 pm
Well, 6-5 is in the hunt. We beat Tampa Bay, on the kind of game we generally lose (Green Bay 05, Detroit and Cleveland 06) You would think we were mathmatically eliminated today by the tone of some of these posts. I saw today as a very positive step, to get to the playoffs, you have to win a few of these.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:35 pm
JSS, out of curiosity, is BK your :internet blogging addiction?:
If your true mission is to follow him around various articles to berate him, I’d suggest to you that you might be as messed up as you insinuate he is… just sayin’.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:38 pm
…and to build on your point, Charlie, I know they’ve struggled lately, but we almost took down the Giants last week on their home turf. I felt like last week’s game was very well played, especially considering the fact that the only running back we had was our third string guy.
This Atlanta team is better than it’s being given credit for in some circles, I believe, and we’re just getting better. It’s a shame that Atlanta FANS don’t do much to prove their critics — in regard to being among the, if not at the top of the list, nation’s worst fans — wrong in their assessments. The stadium had a lot more in terms of empty seating than I would’ve expected.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:39 pm
Ryan looked great in the 4th Quarter against the Giants. He looked great in the 4th quarter driving the ball from the 5 yard line to the 15 against Carolina, before he threw the interception after we missed a go ahead FG. He ain’t perfect, but he has been effective too.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:40 pm
Benjamin,
Yeah, he does do that, doesn’t he?
Also, JSS, I just wanted to have an actual conversation with you, without the b.s. of all of this.
I tried to reach out, be a human being, extend my hand. It’s still there.
Someone named Elijah took my hand and emailed me. The email wasn’t pleasant, of course.
But to the person here who’s first name is ELIJAH, check your email for my reply.
You’ll find it far more cordial than your draft.
Atlanta Peach
November 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
Over and out, Benjamin ! I just figured since we were home, we could have won on home field advantage alone ! But, you are right again !
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
Ryan’s been up and down.
Four weeks into the season, he was looking like a legitimate MVP contender. He went off the rails a little, but has played better of late, today included on the first drive. It was 2-3 drive on the stat sheet in terms of passes to completions, but the incomplete pass was a pure drop by the receiver.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
BugKiller
I’ve never said that i hate Ryan, I just don’t think he’s as good as ya’ll make him to be. You folks never admit his flaws at all.
And Vick has brung the Falcosn from behind many times. you know that
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:42 pm
Stadium was empty because everyone was hungover from the GT/UGA game. I had tickets, but did not get out of bed until 11:30, and even then, I was not exactly ready to head out to the dome.
JSS
November 29th, 2009
11:42 pm
Let me correct the missing words before the “god of blogging” has a hissy fit…
It is “do not like” Jeff Schultz.
we (that is Jeff Schultz and I)
It is “I will continue to demean you”
It is “as long as you” continue to…
and it is “any man or woman who feels that they can continue to try ruin a person.”
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:44 pm
Ahhh, that’s a good point, Charlie. I didn’t think about that.
Well played.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:47 pm
JSS, why don’t you like Jeff Schultz? Or BK, for that matter? Have you ever been in a position to where you could like them or dislike them? Just asking the question…
I don’t know which people among you I like or dislike because I don’t know you. All I see are words in a discussion, thoughts and opinions written at 11:45 pm on a Sunday night.
I see on here all the time about people hating this person or that person, or people insulting Bradley, etc., and I understand that a lot of it is give and take behind the comfort of annonymity and a computer screen, but I think (from personal experience) that such talk is generally of arrogance and foolishness. To presume that you dislike someone whom you’ve never encountered — or, at the very least, wouldn’t know if you had — is a little, well, presumptuous, don’t you think?
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:48 pm
VS, you might be right about Ryan, but he did to something special last year considering what happed to the Falcons in 07. Does he have flaws? Sure, should we harp on them? Will it do any good? He is here, and he ain’t going anywhere anytime soon, so his “flaws” are moot.
It is hard to play QB in this league. Look at the Ravens, Dolphins, Jets and Detroit, all team with young QBs, and nobody has a better record than us. .
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:49 pm
I think we have here a break in the ice, finally.
Ryan was rookie of the year. He was the first QB in the NFL to EVER start every game his rookie year and lead his team into the playoffs. He was the first Falcon QB to throw for over 3,000 yards in 8 years. He is touted as one of the best young QBs the game has ever seen, and yes, his upside is incredible, meaning he will most likely get much better.
Please tell me how we make too much of all of that when all of that is pretty damn good? Seriously.
Is he having a down year this year? Yeah, he is. So is Flacco. It happens. The year after the Patriots won the Super Bowl, Tom Brady threw his most INTs in a year to date and the Patriots missed the playoffs, going 9-7.
How’s Brady doing since then?
No one is saying that in the two years he went to the playoffs, that Vick wasn’t good. But kinda like how you believe Ryan is being overpraised, we believe you’re misremembering (heh, Roger Clemens) a lot of things about Mike Vick, especially his last two years.
I mean, come on… you blame RYAN for losing to the NFC Champions last year. And THAT’S your proof for why Vick is better.
It just doesn’t make any sense, man.
Benjamin
November 29th, 2009
11:53 pm
JSS, why don’t you like Jeff Schultz? Or BK, for that matter? Have you ever been in a position to where you could like them or dislike them? Just asking the question…
I don’t know which people among you I like or dislike because I don’t know you. All I see are words in a discussion, thoughts and opinions written at 11:45 pm on a Sunday night.
I see on here all the time about people hating this person or that person, or people insulting Bradley, etc., and I understand that a lot of it is give and take behind the comfort of annonymity and a computer screen, but I think (from personal experience) that such talk is generally of arrogance and foolishness. To presume that you dislike someone whom you’ve never encountered — or, at the very least, wouldn’t know if you had — is a little, well, presumptuous, don’t you think?
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
11:55 pm
I’m with Charlie.
Ryan is going to be very good. What sets him apart is the work ethic he displays.
No, he doesn’t have the athletic gifts Vick once displays, but he works much harder in the film room and in practice (and before and after practice).
When Vick was here, VS, there was no bigger Vick fan than me. I overlooked all of HIS flaws (and he had MANY) because of his electricity.
But Benjamin and Charlie are right. He’s gone. And he’s done because of HIS actions. Not the team’s. Not Matt Ryan’s.
There was no way he could return to Atlanta. If he had been truthful from the start, then yeah, Blank would have left the door open.
But you seriously can’t blame the team for cutting him lose. And harping on whatever flaws Ryan has as a QB (which, BTW, are much less than Vick has as a QB) doesn’t help the issue or do anything to add to what these blogs are supposed to be about:
which has been the last hour. just talking. no histrionics. no crazy name-calling. just talking about the team.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 29th, 2009
11:56 pm
I know folks have written that the Ryan defenders never seemed to care about O-Line not being effective for Vick. Well I can’t speak to that, but bottom line is that Ryan definitely needs better O-Line play than Mike Vick did. Absolutely no doubt who would evade the crazy rushes we’ve seen the past 5 games or so between those QBs. I’ve mentioned b4 that the Falcs have been playing some very good defenses during there losses. Saints D is even better and they don’t need much with that high powered offense. Ryan has to do better under that scenario and not throw those picks . . . . .but unless the QBs get just a second more back there . . .it’s gonna be tough to get the minimum 4-5 wins I think is needed for “continued play” after regular season. (Not using the “P” word!)
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:56 pm
Look at BugKiller…talking football all of a sudden,lol
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
11:57 pm
Ask Sanchez, Freeman, Jamarcus, and Stafford. It ain’t that easy to walk in as a rookie and lead a 4-12 team to the playoffs. Sure, I credit Turner with as much if not more, of the credit, but win or lost QB gets the ultimate credit, it is like the starting pitcher.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
11:58 pm
BugKiller
i haven’t blame the Falcons for cutting him loose. Let’s be real here and talk about the right people
scottbravesfan
November 29th, 2009
11:59 pm
The Eagles aren’t exactly great they barely beat a Redskins team with half of it’s lineup out of the game.
Mark Bradley,
You talk so much trash it’s so annoying. The team was without it’s starting quarterback the whole game. It was without two starters on the offensive line including their best player Sam Baker. They were also without Michael Turner the team’s best player. And they still won. You act like the Tampa Bay Bucs are the in Conference USA or something. They beat the Green Bay Packers who are leading the wild card in the NFC so they aren’t some joke team. They are playing a lot better behind Josh Freeman and since switching to the Tampa 2 they are playing good defense again. Yet you overlook that trying to get some stupid reaction. And as for the Eagles, the Falcons better be worried about McNabb, you know a real quarterback, not their third stringer who comes in as a decoy a couple of times a game.