Live from the Dome: I’m back, and so’s the Burner
Slept fast. Went to Mass. Now I’m back downtown, chatting again. Last night was great fun — fine game, unexpected (at least by me) result, much to discuss. Example: Why did Paul Johnson call four consecutive deep passes with the game on the line? We know his stylized offense doesn’t feature the short or intermediate pass, but what about the ol’ option toss? Did PJ bail out — mixed metaphor alert — on his bread and butter?
I wish I could say I had great hope for another great game here at the Dome, but I don’t. I figure the Falcons beat the Bucs by three touchdowns. I figure the Falcons need to beat the Bucs by three touchdowns just to remind themselves they can still be a playoff-caliber team, recent results notwithstanding.
Four losses in five games will have a chilling effect on a franchise and its fans, and traffic around the Dome seemed unusually light around 11:30. (And I was running late.) Can’t imagine there’ll be a full house today, but I’m bad at predictions. Example: Tech 42, Georgia 27.
Wrongheaded though I am, I hope we can make the most of whatever this day brings. The idea is to talk about the Falcons, but we can certainly accommodate the occasional Tech-UGA submission. So I ask once again: Join me, won’t you?
Oh, and this one actual snippet of news: Michael Turner is in uniform and seems to be moving expeditiously in warmups. He’ll play. And Jerious Norwood is no longer among the inactives. That makes for a full house in the backfield, which isn’t the same thing as a full-house backfield. But it’s a most welcome sign.
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1,228 comments Add your comment
preston
November 29th, 2009
3:01 pm
wow…..who would have thought that Elam would be the only guy for the Falcons that could rely on today.
Brian
November 29th, 2009
3:02 pm
They weren’t trying to get a first down. They were just trying to get closer for the FG.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:02 pm
Come on Defense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile...one would think
November 29th, 2009
3:02 pm
One would think that a 5-5 team fighting for its playoff life wouldn’t be susceptible to a trap game, but obviously not.
Sid
November 29th, 2009
3:02 pm
dawgs2009, forgot about the Cleveland debacle. Another classic for the losers.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:02 pm
D-Led confirms that it is the same ankle for the Burner.
sanantoniofalconsfan
November 29th, 2009
3:03 pm
I think redman looks great. you can’t really fault him for looking “scared in the pocket” though because our o-line isn’t protecting at all. you’d look the same way with 300 lb lineman coming at you to rip your head off when your guys aren’t blocking. In spite of our line, he has good numbers and is moving the ball. Not his fault we keep getting penalties.
Eric C.
November 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
Strangely, it seems this game is for the playoffs…if the Falcons pull it out, they will go to the playoffs.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
We need Russ on the sidelines. Bring on Russ the Bulldog. It couldn’t hurt.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
I think the Falcons win this game on urgency alone. But I’ve been wrong before.
preston
November 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
I meant to say “that we could rely on today”
Barkin'Dog
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Thanks, Mark… now what about Norwood? Is he 100%, because he’s looking real good, and glad to have him back.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Good start on D. Holding and almost a sack.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
HOLD? or grounding?
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Intential grounding. No, not holding!
Hawkster
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Is Sonny Clusters still on this blog??
Sonny, please give us the low-down on how the Falcons were cursed with the “no back-to-back” winning season curse. I’m sure that you, as the oral historian of this area, know who or what put this curse on us and how it can be lifted.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Mark,
Why does this Falcons team feel like this year’s Georgia team?
There are some subtle differences:
with Georgia, we have a load of talent, but the coaches do nothing with it
with the Falcons, there is NO talent (especially on defense) and the coaches are doing everything they can with it.
But there just seems to be a lack of focus in Flowery Branch right now.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
The Falcons weren’t inspired that first half, but they’re getting there.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Defense!!! Defense!!!
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
YEAH!
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Bucs are rattled now. About time. They do have a rookie quarterback, you know.
Sid
November 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
was there for the Dallas loss. froze my butt off to see them blow it. Danny White’s winning pass looked more like a short punt with 3 Falcons defenders around and Preston Pearson I believe caught it. Should have known then that is what the Falcons do best.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
I’m surprised TB even threw on third-and-22. Run it and punt.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
Great series D!!!
We need you to win this game.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
Just joined . . . . .see it’s been tough day on the injury front . . .. .but nice series by the D!!!! Let’s just get a win here!
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
3 & Out, good stop by the D. Maybe they finally figured out that this game counts.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:08 pm
Short punt. Falcons start at their 48.
preston
November 29th, 2009
3:08 pm
ok…..finally a lil sense of urgency now!!!!! Crowd is behind us, and the defense is playing better….we just stopped the bucs on that series….lets see how the offense responds.
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
Snelling time
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
Yes.Filed position got flipped there. More points!
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
JJ: couldn’t agree more.
jacket3
November 29th, 2009
3:10 pm
There are many similarities between last nights Uh-oh and the Falcon’s play this afternoon. “Swish Cheese’ Defense, injuries to key players, sacks and absolutely no cohesive functionality.
Yes UGA beat my Jackets and thumped them hard. So, now I am looking forward to another GREAT nail biter in 364 days and counting…….but the next time GT will not roll over as easily as last night.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:10 pm
Turner will not return, comes official word.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:11 pm
Redman to Jenkins. First down. Starting to move it now.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:11 pm
Norwood needs to stop that little stutter step he takes. He is too indecisive hitting the line sometimes.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:11 pm
YEs-Thats 4 1rst down catches for Jenk today
lamac66
November 29th, 2009
3:11 pm
People still talking about that 1980 loss to Dallas? Man..
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Reverse to Weems. I don’t like those calls, but this did get seven yards.
preston
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
ok, lets see if our primarily second string offense can out play the bucs first string defense.
Vick Supporter
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
the dome is empty (as usual). Won’t be next week………
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Snelling loses the ball.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Mark,
Since this hasn’t been covered at all by the local media, please answer this:
Why didn’t Thomas Dimitroff, with all of that cap space, sign Chris McCallister the SECOND that Brian Williams got hurt?
It makes absolutely NO sense not to sign McCallister at that moment to a one-year contract with a team option for a second year.
We’re talking one of the best corners of this decade.
We had the space, and there was a definitive need. Last year and this year should have been all the proof needed that Grimes sucks.
It just makes NO SENSE that we let McCallister get signed by the Saints.
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Barrett Ruud has never tried to wrap anybody up in his life…he tackles like a missile. Falcons ball carriers need to try to shake and bake him.
David
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Things keep going from bad to worse.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Crap
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
Fumble Snelling. So much for momentum.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:13 pm
Snakebit.
The curse.
We have to believe to beat it.
Just believe.
Eric C.
November 29th, 2009
3:13 pm
Ruud and Barber are killing us
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:13 pm
Ruud poked it out. Wasn’t a big hit.
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:13 pm
Well, my Snelling call and my Barrett Ruud call both proved false on the same play.