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.

1,228 comments Add your comment

Mr Charlie

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Once "Recent" Reader

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Looked like the lead defender’s shirt was grabbed by O-Line on that first down blitz. But good series again by the D!

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Bucs lose their mind and run a fake punt.

PMC

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

no more excuses…. win or find someone who can.

Jimmy

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Wow. Way to go special teams.

Once "Recent" Reader

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Well – better field position than last time.

TMoney

November 29th, 2009
3:31 pm

Thank you for faking that, we would have had terrible position otherwise.

playmeortrademe

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

please take advantage of this….

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

What were they doing?

scottbravesfan

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

Come on you guys comparing this team to the 1996 Falcons team need to give it a rest. Sam Baker, Harvey Dahl, Matt Ryan, and Michael Turner are all out plus our defense is beat up from earlier in the year.

Dawgs2009

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

Coach Paul Johnson is Willie Martinez’s B!%ch! hahahhahhahahahahah

scottbravesfan

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

lol, what the hell was that?

Cedrick

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

dawgfan1911,
This was not going to the playoffs if they won this game. There are too many teams with the tie-breaker against the Falcons with the same record. This sub-par QB with the stubbed toe is laying down for the year, hell there have been two QBs with broken ribs come out and continue to play this year..

JJ

November 29th, 2009
3:32 pm

Raheem Morris = IDIOT

But that is why he is coaching a team that has only won 1 game out of 10. I’ll take it for now.

Extremus

November 29th, 2009
3:33 pm

I said it last week, and it bears mentioning again: this forum, which is supposed to be dedicated to FALCONS FANS and for the relevant discussion centering around this team, has become hard to stand at times due to a few individuals who apparently have WAY too much time on their hands to dedicate to rooting AGAINST the Falcons and their players. I don’t care what their reason is (though it’s clear we all know that by now), this childish, malicious race-baiting and posting just to offend or get a reaction out of the genuine fans on this board needs to stop, NOW. You know who I’m talking to; if you’re not here to cheer for this team or offer something constructive, please do us all a favor and GET OUT. I don’t care how many usernames you come up with, I personally think the AJC would be well within its rights and interests to ban (and keep banning) you until you leave the rest of us alone. We need fans here, not haters.

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:33 pm

Bradley’s Rule: If you run a fake punt and nobody is close to being open, you’ve erred.

"Chef" Tim Dix

November 29th, 2009
3:33 pm

Scottbravesfan: Tech had not faced as atheletic team all year, sorry but true. UGA ran it right down there throats and couldn’t stop it.

Tech has defensive issues. UGA has coaching issues. Players though, make plays.

tw3a

November 29th, 2009
3:33 pm

this announcer name charles is a joke

Dawgs Man

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

We have reached a new low this year. Even if we win, we looked like crap. A real team like the Eagles will wipe the field with us.

Eric C.

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

Great stand on the fake punt…this drive coming up is for the season.

Once "Recent" Reader

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

I disagree with that announcer . . .. .best way to get a win for Bucs is continuing to put the Falcs in bad field position. We have starting QB and RB hurt . . . . . .make the back-ups get it done.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

Even the Bucs don’t respect the Falcons – fake punt :)

Vick Supporter

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

That Falcons are struggling with the 1-9 Bucs,lol. That says a TON

JJ

November 29th, 2009
3:34 pm

Good call Extremus. I’m really not sure why someone would ever take the time to log onto a blog board to hate on the Atlanta franchise. I didn’t realize they were that hatable.

lamac66

November 29th, 2009
3:35 pm

But seriously why is Atlanta such a terrible sports town?

@Scottbravesfan,

I go with the transient theory. Many transplants here hold allegience to where they transplanted from. Face it, if you grew up in Dallas, Pittsburg, NE, would you become a Falcons fan just because you relocated here especially short-term?

San Diego Dawg

November 29th, 2009
3:35 pm

scottbravesfan

November 29th, 2009
3:29 pm

Chef Tim,

Come on you know that Georgia would have lost to Tech if they had their QB the whole game. And your logic is that Georgia was trying to knock the Tech players out? Come on what happen was a fluke and everyone knows it. You should be proud of your team winning but some of the Georgia fans are acting like they just won a national championship.

Scottbrave fan you moron! Does Tech’s QB play defense & could he stop the UGA run game?

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:35 pm

Roddy with a catch. There he is.

Sid

November 29th, 2009
3:35 pm

Hawks lose to a bad Detroit team and now this. What a great sports city!!!! 40 years of it and counting. Seriously, can anyone think of a city with ALL 4 major sports leagues that has a worse record in the last 40 years. I am referring to championships.

Kurdt Kobain

November 29th, 2009
3:36 pm

I am a GT fan. Nesbitt’s injury had little effect on the outcome of that game. UGA dominated that game. 2nd time in less than a year that GT has looked unprepared and overconfident after some time off.

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:36 pm

Third and six. Is this four-down territory? Not yet, I’d guess.

Cedrick

November 29th, 2009
3:36 pm

JJ,
No you are an idiot!! This guy does not have half the talent Atlanta does but he has his “TEAM” playing like they are in the Superbowl. Now what if we had any coach to motivate the offense or defense to play half as well as his team is right now?????

Jimmy

November 29th, 2009
3:36 pm

Let’s go O. We’ve got to get a touchdown.
The clock is ticking.
Go O!!!!!!!!!

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:36 pm

Breakup by D. Roberson. And a punt.

scottbravesfan

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

Do people in Atlanta really have such hard on for Vick that they root against Ryan? God what a terrible city. You crack heads who probably don’t even work for a living, you are supposed to root for the name on the front of the jersey not the back.

Once "Recent" Reader

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

Gotta lead him just a bit more on that pass.

Jimmy

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

Looked like PI to me. Crap. You can’t bump the receiver out there.

playmeortrademe

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

you only get so many opportunities….

"Chef" Tim Dix

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

TB’s HC just fired himself and replaced himself with a cardboard cutout of Norm Heckler.

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

That’s not impressive. Stop a fake punt at the 39 and can’t get more than one first down.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm

HA HA – They SUCKKKKKKKKKKKK :)

Bradley’s “Greatest” rookie ever can’t suck it up and lead his team.

“DUMP THE CHUMP”

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:38 pm

I’m wondering how aggressive TB will be now. Especially after whiffing that last possession.

JJ

November 29th, 2009
3:38 pm

Cedrick

What is this “talent” that you speak of that Atlanta has on the field right now other than White, Gonzalez and Abraham?

Regardless, you don’t run a fake punt right there. Just plain stupid.

Once "Recent" Reader

November 29th, 2009
3:38 pm

ScottsBravesFan . . . a psychiatrist would call it misplaced aggression regarding the dislike of current starting QB:)

Jimmy

November 29th, 2009
3:38 pm

Now Owens is hurt?
The curse!
We have to believe to beat the curse.
Just believe.
We will win this game.

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:39 pm

Crowd is into it now.

"Chef" Tim Dix

November 29th, 2009
3:39 pm

San Diego Dawg: I dig your weather!

playmeortrademe

November 29th, 2009
3:39 pm

and down goes CHris Owens, on Special teams, he must be pretty bad at CB for him to not start over Houston

j

November 29th, 2009
3:39 pm

Scottbrave fan you moron! Does Tech’s QB play defense & could he stop the UGA run game?
—-
yes. did you not watch the second half?

Mark Bradley

November 29th, 2009
3:40 pm

Great call by TB. Throw out of the end zone on first down. If you’re going to throw down there, throw on first down.

Jimmy

November 29th, 2009
3:40 pm

Houston out of position. Big surprise.