Live from the Dome: I’m back, and so’s the Burner
Michael Turner looks good to go. (AP photo)
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
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:34 pm
Clusters
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:35 pm
Kudos, Sonny C. You’re now among the elite. (Although you’ve been pretty elite in my book for a long time now.)
Island Five O
November 29th, 2009
12:35 pm
Anybody seen St. Simons. I got a missing person report.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
DUDE!!!!!!!! I JSUT MISSED IT!
OK 4th
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
Glad to see you made it out of downtown last night Mark. Any culinary delights on the way home.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
We was first! Mark, did ol’ Jeff get the day off? Be sure and let us know how Mr. Blank is dressed today. Is he wearing his oxfords?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
No, Cuz. I partook heavily of the postgame Papa John’s pizza at the Joke by Coke. (I’m sorry, Tech fans. But I do get a kick out of that phrase.)
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:38 pm
OH YEAH
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!!!!
Now if the FAlcons can pull this out today this will be a great holiday break. A day of Turkey. A day of Turkey sandwhiches. A day of the DAWGS beatin those Jackets. And hopefully a day of our FALCONS bringing home the W
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
I believe I saw A.M. Blank — the “M” stands for Marston, I believe — wearing a grey suit. He was on the field shaking hands.
Frank Wren
November 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
Caleb King just scored again.
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Bill King and I had some good barbeque at the Kentucky game in the skybox Mark. They must have known I was coming and removed the caviar. I had three barbeque sandwiches.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Mark, that was some good work last night. Looking forward to more today. Was Russ happy with the way things went?
Frank Wren
November 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Turns out Paul Johnson doesnt walk on water.
Who knew?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Caleb King ran like a saw last night. (That’s a compliment, if a dated one.) So did Washaun Ealey.
Makes you wonder what Georgia might have been if they’d run the ball a little more a bit sooner. Maybe the other SEC teams were too stout up front to allow that to happen. But it sure seemed the less Joe Cox threw, the better Georgia played.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
That’s a big deal, Cuz. They won’t even let me near a skybox, let alone feed me in one.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
Stinky Wintes was a Marston on his Mama’s side. We wonder if they’s related?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
I’ll ask about Stinky. But I’m betting Blank won’t remember him.
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
I’m looking forward to watching a good game for the birds. And is there anyway we can make the throwback jerseys the permanent uniform? They look so much better.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
Cuz-How did your church Buddy the Tech fan take it? You say much? hahahahaha
Eric P.
November 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
Go Birds! Usually down there, but having to work today. Wish me luck! Surprised about the GT/UGA game, but glad my War Eagle guys played tough against No. 2 in the nation. Will enjoy time on the blog today esp when Sonny Clusters is on here. Lets kick some a$$, Falcons!
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:44 pm
And I have to say I might have undone the benefit of Mass by saying a few naughty words about the way the APD was directing traffic this morning. I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine anybody could do it any worse.
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:44 pm
That last sentence almost needs a “Duh” at the end of it Mark.
The owner of my daughter’s Physical Therapy clinic used to babysit Joe Cox when he was a child. She does not understand his current inablility to throw the crossing route. Well neither does the rest of the “Nation”.
Eric P.
November 29th, 2009
12:45 pm
Wary of playing the “Burner” this week. Think we can win without him. Need him more next week. Hope they dont over-use him.
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:45 pm
D. Gracious in victory, humble in defeat.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:46 pm
I’ve heard people say Tech would rather have beaten Georgia than won the ACC championship. I’m not sure that’s true this year. Tech beat Georgia last year at the time the new coach needed to beat Georgia. Now, if you’re asking me, I’m guessing Paul Johnson would rather add the ACC title to his curriculum vitae.
Not to say he wouldn’t have liked doing both.
Bravissimo
November 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
Papajohns pizza?…Shultz said he got steak and lobster…guess you sat in the wrong booth?..lol
Eric P.
November 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
Mark: APD always gets in the way. Between that and the Marta folks shouting instructions at the top of their lungs, makes for a bad experience. Perhaps you can expose that and get some changes made!
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
I wish I knew why Joe Cox looked better in Games 2 and 3 than in Games 11 and 12. But I don’t.
Eric P.
November 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
Start fast. Crush the Bucs hope. Looking for 5 sacks today! Go Birds!
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
Here’s a stat for you. Total punts in last night’s game — zero.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
As we all should be sir. All right polling bird fans today who has the big game for us today?
Anyone got anyone in particualr?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
I’ll tell you what: To me, Papa John’s is steak and lobster.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
If he was ever around Stinky Wintes he’ll remember. If it was a little colder it would be time for a muffler and some gloves. Does he ever smoke a pipe down there on the sidelines? Does he have his own thermos?
Bravissimo
November 29th, 2009
12:50 pm
I think the defense shines today
Frank Wren
November 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
I’ll tell you what: To me, Papa John’s is steak and lobster.
Right on MB. The garlic sauce is great for dippin
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
Mark,
Are you even going to bother going to Tampa next Saturday?
I mean, that game is now about as relevant as a poopy-flavored lolipop, right?
I know, rivalry games and all that: but the two BEST teams in the ACC just got their butts handed to them by two thoroughly mediocre SEC teams.
So what’s that say about the ACC?
I mean, we know who we throught we were (to borrow from Dennis Green). We’re a mediocre, undisciplined, poorly coached SEC team.
So what does that make Tech?
All those noises you heard driving back home last night were the delusions of all the Bugs in the world crashing back down to earth.
And yeah, the win was nice, but we’re STILL a mediocre SEC team.
Who just beat the best team in the ACC.
Hehe.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
I’m pretty sure Blank pays somebody to hold the thermos.
10
November 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
Which quarter will Norwood get hurt in?
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
Ready to go, big time bucs beatdown to finish a great weekend.
Bring game.
Alonso
November 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
Any thoughts on how much Burner will play? It seems like he’ll play a lot or he wouldn’t be active.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
check the friggin filter please.
Bravissimo
November 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
Hey Frank…you get rid of our wonderful pinch hitter yet?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:54 pm
I am going to Tampa. I mean, somebody’s going to win the game and play in the Orange Bowl. Might as well be Tech. (But I can’t imagine C.J. Spiller won’t get 25 carries against that banged-up D-line.)
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:54 pm
Only with a side of anchovies Mark.
It was my first time in a skybox. Thankfully my daughter Baylie who won the contest needed a driver.
The AJC staff at the downtown office were extremely gracious also. My thanks to them too.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
I see ESPN’s Chris Lowe has Georgia now going to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
That grey suit is a long way from an orange apron. We was at Lowes once and the guy that checked us out was named Homer. Jeff got tickled and started pointing at him and laughing and Homer followed us out to the car. We made a quick getaway.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
I’m going out on a limb today and hanging my hat with Michael Jenkins. He’s due
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
I’m glad to hear you and Baylie had a nice time, Cuz. Or as nice a time as can be had watching Georgia lose to UK.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
I give thanks for Dave Stockton.
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
I am pulling for the in-state guys next weekend Mark. But Clemson is playing them now when they are vulnerable to the run. They have always been vunerable to the pass.
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
Here’s a question for the Falcons:
With Jason Snelling playing well, and a game that should be an easy win, in YOUR building, WHY are you even thinking about letting a gimpy Michael Turner play this week?
What if he gets hurt, again?
Falcons should put Turner into a box until NEXT week, which is a MUST WIN game.
50 feet to your left
November 29th, 2009
12:57 pm
Nice to see Turner announced among the starting lineup for the offense today. One more thing to be thankful for this weekend: Falcons fans would never wear creamsicle orange to a football game.
Eric P.
November 29th, 2009
12:58 pm
Weems hits big today!
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
12:58 pm
Baylie has a way of making every outing a great time, ask Bill.
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
Dick Stockton/Charles Davis/Laura Okmin broadcasting instead of Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa. Another plus to this extended weekend.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
Went to the Chick Filet Bowl against VT. Game was great and atmosphere was even better.
Jsut my opinion though seems a little high, but the W last night carries some weight to it. Either way I’m going to Atlanta/Nashville/Birmingham……and probably Shreveport
Joe Cox
November 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
SHUT UP! You never played the game. I played the game. Not many games, and I wasn’t any good in the games I played, but I played the game, and none of you did. As for why I was better in the first few games and not in the last few games, it’s because I suck, and I’m overly sensitive, but none of you, and I repeat none of you could know that like I do, because none of you ever played QB like I have, thus none of you could ever know what it is like to be a bad QB like I do because you’ve never been a bad QB like I’ve been, so there is no way you could ever know what a bad QB is like I do. Now you go back to being a bad fan, and I’ll go back to being a bad QB.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
Laura just scared my dog.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
The best QB the Falcons ever had is about to work his craft.
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
Yeah it was a good game last night, but for the life of men I don’t get some of the late game strategy. 3rd and three late in the game Ga in very long field goal range. You have been running it down Tech’s throat all night, run it twice and if you can’t make 3 more yards, well damn.
The Falcons get well today. GO FALCONS!!
BugKiller
November 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
I like Rex Robinson’s succinct post over on roughingthekicker.com
I have a feeling St. Simons (where is that stupid Bug, anyway?) spent plenty of time over on Rex’s blog, too, based on Rex’s newest post.
Hehe. St. Simons.
(((((((((((30-26))))))))))) Hehehehehehehehehehehehe!
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
1:01 pm
And I had to put eye drops in.
mmgtfan
November 29th, 2009
1:01 pm
Mark, what do you think is going to happen power wise in the state of Georgia in the next 5 or so years?
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
1:01 pm
BugKiller – I agree, I would actually prefer holding the burner out one more week and running Snelling and Norwood, with Snelling carrying the load. Of course, I’m not an NFL coach, so I won’t claim to know more than ours do.
Sonny Clusters
November 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
How’s Elam looking in warmups? One more miss . . .
Frank Wren
November 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
Now that all is right in the universe again and the “premier” program in the state has once again taken their rightful place I can relax and watch the Falcons.
I wouldnt play Turner today. If you cant beat a 1-9 team at home without him you dont deserve to be in the playoff picture.
pilgrim
November 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
A tough night’s sleep for us Tech fans. But I’m glad the Dogs played well.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
mmgfan: I’m thinking wind farm.
Bam Bam
November 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
Since you’re talking about steak and lobster and going to Tampa anyway you should have a steak at Berns. I know folks love Charley’s but Berns is hard to beat. That will at least make the trip worth while. BTW (((((((((((((((((((((30-24)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) bwahahahahaha! Go Dawgs!
Joe Cox
November 29th, 2009
1:03 pm
Yep, I beat Tech and S Carolina (who beat Clemson). Does that mean we play S Carolina for the ACC title?
John Abraham
November 29th, 2009
1:03 pm
Mapquest directions to the QB please! I’m lost, and can’t find the QB!
Joe Cox
November 29th, 2009
1:03 pm
((((30-24))) if you are going to do it, do it right.
Frank Wren
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Sorry for all the dawg posts MB but you had to know there would be a hangover from the game in here.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Almost an INT on the first pass. Whoa.
MATTY SMALL NUTTS
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Almost int already lol
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Not the best first pass.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Joe Cox-No by that logic it’s a 3 way tie between UGA/SC and TCU….my guess is neither wants any of the horned Frogs
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Falcons are going to beat the stank off the Buccaneers. NOODLE ARM RULES!
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Er Roddy… It’s a comeback route
mmgtfan
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Jesus Matt. Not again
MATTY SMALL NUTTS
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Now a timeout lol.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Believe it or not, the Falcons have aligned themselves in a full-house backfield. I’m a prophet! (But never for profit.)
It so confused the team that Ryan had to call timeout before the second snap.
Matt Ryan
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Aw shucks, oh boy, golly gee, that was a horrendous pass I just threw. Now I need to burn a timeout within the first 10 seconds of the game. Next Peyton Manning, my arse!
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Man, it took is 365 days, but proved that Tech, as well as the ACC, are inferior to SEC teams.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
That’s attention to detail and being organized.
6-10
November 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
Yup, almost a pick and a TO one minute in. Wow!
Unbelievable.
MATTY SMALL NUTTS
November 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
Yea turner the real team MVP
La Jolla Dawg
November 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
Hi Mark, I enjoyed the blog last night. I ran into a fellow UGA fan in the parking lot of La Jolla supermarket this morning and we expressed our mutual glee over the win.
Do you happen to know whether or not any of the kickers the Falcons tried out last week were signed?
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
1rst down. Keep it simple and get some points first
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
Mark did the fans in the Dome participate in the blackout? This could be a bad omen.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Third down? Does Ryan lock in on Gonzalez?
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Double team on Gonzo……Jenkins time?
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Tech is not inferior, they are better than Miss State and Vandy. They would be tenth in the SEC.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
All right Jenk
TMoney
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Jenkins actually caught a ball?
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Nope. Jenkins. Who catches this and makes a first down.
mmgtfan
November 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Good call Ellis
I'm Confused
November 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Mark, can’t tell by watching the television. How many are in attendance today? Just worried about our fair weather fans.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Sparse crowd, by the way.
Bucs offside on that one, I believe.
No! Illegal formation. The Falcons are so confused they can’t even line up right.
D.Ellis
November 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Dang thats 2 bad lineups……hope they wake up