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
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:40 pm
Falcons are stuffing the run. Bucs will have to throw to move.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
3:40 pm
Mark,
As much as I admire Dimitroff for what he was able to accomplish last year…
… he REALLY hamstrung BVG this year.
The whole “Process” means that it’s better to have crappy corners than go out and sign Chris McCallister to a two year contract when you have plenty of capspace?
It makes NO sense.
Brian
November 29th, 2009
3:40 pm
They should have sent everything but the kitchen sink on that first pass.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Third and six. Big play.
scottbravesfan
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Sid,
I’m a fan of all the Atlanta teams and they really don’t deserve a championship at least the fans don’t. And the transient thing doesn’t work. Washington Redskins games are always sold out and DC is probably the biggest transient town in the country. Same with the Capitals and even Miami sells out of the Dolphins. Nashville for the Titans. Phoenix is a huge transient city, just as much so as Atlanta, and all of their teams draw well except for the hockey team.
Cedric,
You are an idiot if you think that Mike Smith is a bad coach. The Falcons have had a ton of injuries today. You need to think before you type moron.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Fumble. Falcons have it.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Jimmy: Houston = Breck girl
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
And we’ve got a fight and a helmet flying.
Cedrick
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
scottbravesfan,
HAHAHAHA you are funny but why is it so many of you think Vick was bad for Atlanta? I would rather have a QB that at anytime in the game he could break out and take over a game instead of one with “Happy Feet” or sore toe. I’ll tell you what I bet Arthur Blank misse having the stadium sold out in any and every city the Falcons went to because Vick was the QB. Better yet I bet Arthur Blank misses that long waiting list of season ticket holder that dried up now that Vick is gone. Now all of you with som much love for Matt Ryan, tell me why you are not at the game supporting Mr. Blank?? hahahahahah
ubah
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
It’s a rumble
playmeortrademe
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
OK, so who gets screwed here, guy took his helmet off
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
Oh no. THe penalty is on us.
David
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
Tell me we’re not about to give them an automatic first with unsportsmanlike conduct….
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
December 6th is cominggggggggggggg
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
Bucs keep the ball. Cadillac got it back. But there’s got to be unsportsmanlike conduct on the Bucs. Trueblood threw his helmet down.
David
November 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
Oh, thank you…
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Bucs punting from the end zone. Babineaux forced the fumble.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
YES!!!! We get one called for us for a change.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
How did Falcs not recover that fumble???
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Two penalties on the return.
dawgfan1911
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
This Falcons team is just not there yet. They have some good pieces, but this defense is horrible and they need to get Harry Douglass Jr., Perria, and Brian Williams back. They also need to add a defensive end and corner back. Get one of those D Backs at Florida. The Falcons Defense is letting a rookie QB shred them! What a joke!
Kurdt Kobain
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Its not that Vick was bad for Atlanta. Its just that he’s not here anymore.
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Also Cedrick, on that fake punt Morris flipped field position in Atlanta’s favor, and also took out his punter. BRILLIANT
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Probably offsetting. Kick again.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
I guess that flag is on us.
We will always get shafted on calls.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
scottbravesfan: then you know the pecking order: college football, Braves, favor of the day. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
I have no idea what the ref said. But there’s no penalty, apparently. Falcons have it at the Buc 40.
Cedrick
November 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
scottbravesfan,
Excuses dude this is the NFL. You should not draft or sign a player that can not play on the field. Next thing try copy and paste on my name. It’s C E D R I C “K” Moron!!
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
Trueblood should have been ejected. Threw a backhanded punch. Needs to cut back on his steroid cycle next week.
dawgfan1911
November 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
WOW the COLTS are the best team in football and Peyton is the MVP hands down!
j
November 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
the bucs are trying everything in the book to give atlanta this game.
wtf is wrong with radi raheem?
San Diego Dawg
November 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
Vick was bad for Vick. It is time to move on.
sanantoniofalconsfan
November 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
just watched Vick miss a pass from 5 yards away for Philly. the ball wasn’t even close to the receiver.
3/9 for the season now.
tw3a
November 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
that was real bright, you take your helmet off on the field, so bright i believe he has take it off before and someone knocked him crazy
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Anyone who thought we’d make it to the playoffs was deluded.
Clearly after the NE game, our weaknesses were exposed to the league.
I just want to beat the curse.
Beat the curse.
scottbravesfan
November 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Cedrick,
I’m not at the game because I live 6 hours away from Atlanta and I actually have a job to go to tomorrow morning. I rooted for Vick when he was a Falcon but the guy plays in Philly now I got two of the guys jerseys but guess what? He screwed up and went to prison so I don’t feel sorry for people who lie constantly to the FBI and then ends up in prison for two years. But the Falcons quarterback is Matt Ryan and has played as good as any second year QB I have ever seen in the NFL. Yet there are always people on these boards who just go on and on about how crappy he is and always bring up the Dome being not sold out. You think that’s Ryan’s fault? There were no shows and empty seats when Vick was the QB. It’s not Ryan’s fault that people only rooted for one guy and were not real fans of the team. Just like certain people in Atlanta were wearing Jordan jerseys in the 90s and now wear Cavs jerseys or Lakers jerseys. The city is full of bandwagon fans and fans that just root for star players.
If Matt Ryan was playing in any other city he would be a god.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Even if Atlanta somehow wins this game – So what?
They are struggling to be a 1-9 team at HOME.
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
The reason this game is where it is, is because the Falcons are playing awful (and the injuries don’t help.) But if the Falcons end up winning, Morris will be the one to blame. I guess you could say it doesn’t matter since they aren’t playing for anything, but without that fake pump attempt the Falcons probably have no chance of scoring again.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
Lucky that wasn’t a fumble.
Cedrick
November 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
JJ,
We have lost 4 games when Coach Smith should have went for it n fourth down but punted in the 4th Qtr. The defense had not stopped either of those teams all game. So tell me why did Smith have the team punt for field position when you are down 2 TDs LOL WOW Now thats coaching!! Tampa has faith
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
punt not pump
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
Can we try a screen please
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
Short of the first down. Going for it on fourth down.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
Go for it
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
That O Line is struggling.
GO FOR IT!!!
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
Jenk?
JJ
November 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Cedrick – I am not talking about whether or not Mike Smith can coach. That is a different discussion. I am saying that Raheem Morris is an idiot for that fake punt call.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Bucs blitzed. Redman found Gonzo.
Jimmy
November 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
We live!!!!!!!!!!!
Justafan
November 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
scottbravefan, Agree Falcons have injury problems..Cedric, Vick caused his own problems, no one to blame but himself. get over it.