5 reasons the Falcons will still have a winning season
Matty Ice has been put on ice, but he'll presumably be back. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
1. They didn’t put Matt Ryan or Michael Turner on injured reserve. This might seem a technicality, but it isn’t. Roster spots are precious, and teams don’t hold them open on a whim. Once you’re on IR, you’re gone for the duration. The Falcons believe these two essential players will return at some point this season. Speaking of which …
2. Forget Philadelphia. Forget New Orleans. Look beyond. The final three games come against the Jets (5-6), Buffalo (4-7) and Tampa Bay (1-10). Win those three and there’s your second consecutive winning season, and right now that seems a more realistic goal than making the playoffs. This isn’t to say the Falcons can’t beat Philly and/or the Saints. This is, after all, the NFL. And didn’t Tampa Bay nearly beat the Falcons? Speaking of which …
3. This coach won’t let this team quit, and this team won’t quit on Mike Smith. They could have rolled over Sunday. They didn’t. They won a game they had to win, albeit in underwhelming fashion. But the standings bear no category for UW’s (underwhelming wins). Just W’s and L’s and T’s.
4. Tony Gonzalez is proving he can carry a team in a way tight ends rarely do. He catches the tying touchdown in New York traffic against the Giants. He snags four passes on the winning drive Sunday. He’s a great player and a greater addition. Imagine where this team and this offense would be if Thomas Dimitroff hadn’t made that trade. (Do I hear 4-7?)
5. Sagacity will have its reward. The Falcons have been playing since 1966. They haven’t yet had consecutive winning seasons because they were both unlucky and unwise. This team has been unlucky with injuries, but management remains stalwart. TD and Smitty are the best combo this franchise has had, and smart teams can override even the vagaries of Dame Fortune. This isn’t a great team, but it’s a smart one.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
157 comments Add your comment
J Clay
December 1st, 2009
12:12 am
no chance – season over
Corrine Brown (Rep-D Fla)
December 1st, 2009
12:13 am
Gradutations, Corch Corn Brawn, on being gusty and…….FIRST!!!!!
Bill
December 1st, 2009
12:13 am
I agree Mark this is the best coach GM combo in Falcon history.However the defense will be the Falcons downfall.
J Clay
December 1st, 2009
12:14 am
Best point is #2 – but do you really believe in the back-up QB?
Also, it looks like I was first on the other post – seems everyone likes to call that out
Corrine Brown (Rep-D Fla)
December 1st, 2009
12:15 am
Gradulations, Corch J Clays, you are the Corch Irvin Myers of posting. Maybe one day, you can achievs to be the next Tim Tivo!!
James Adams
December 1st, 2009
12:20 am
Mark, am I crazy for thinking this team will have added motivation, because of the number 7 on the sidelines that single-handedly ruined a whole season for a large number of these men? I know this might be a crazy thought, but if I were a player that was involved in that lost 2007, I’d be pretty upset. And this question is coming from someone who would cheer him if I were there Sunday. I’ve been a fan since I was 4 (first game I attended was the Dallas playoff game) and the most exciting moment I had as a season ticket holder or fan, besides the ‘98 season, involved Michael Vick.
Mark Bradley
December 1st, 2009
12:26 am
I’m fairly certain the Falcons don’t want to lose to Michael Vick, but Vick doesn’t play much. Might be different were he a starting quarterback.
J Clay
December 1st, 2009
12:29 am
Oh yeah, one more thing….since the Techsters did this all year on unrelated topics…30-24 how do you like them apples?
J Clay
December 1st, 2009
12:32 am
Mark – what do you think the chances are now of an 18-0 Saints team playing an 18-0 Colts team in the Super Bowl? Or even a 17-1 Vikings team….I know those are “smaller market” teams but I would think the rating would be the highest ever. Saints looked unstoppable tonight and though it certainly did not cost them the game Pats coach made another odd decision pulling all offensive starters with over 5 minutes left and the ball.
nyra
December 1st, 2009
12:33 am
To: Falcons Organization from Arthur Blank to the employees that sell the t shirts and clean the aisles:
NOW HERE THIS:
If we stuck with you for mike vick fiasco, bobby petrino fiasco, jim mora fiasco, and 40+ years of FUTILITY!……………….weelllllll we ain’t gonna leave over a BUM TOE!!!!!
NOW: MAN up and DO YOUR JOB!!!! and we will be right there with you guys. ALL THE WAY.
Post Season or die.
Go Birds and give nuthin up.
Mark Bradley
December 1st, 2009
12:38 am
The Super Bowl is different from, say, the World Series or the NBA finals. It gets massive ratings no matter who’s in it, and Peyton Manning against Brees or Favre would be a smash. But that’s just me thinking, and I’m not a TV programmer for good reason.
Whopper Dawg
December 1st, 2009
12:45 am
We all knew going in the schedule would be much tougher. Factor in the injuries, the thin roster, the non-productive draft and here you are. No playoffs, won’t happen, but that is OK. The staff has it going in the right direction, but we are at least two years off. A winning season is a HUGE deal and back to back has not been done before, and that will happen and be a huge step forward.
Ernest T Bass
December 1st, 2009
12:51 am
There ain’t a player on the Falcons what can chuck a full-growed sick jack-ass over his shoulder and tote it five miles to the doctor like I can.
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 1st, 2009
1:07 am
I think Vick will get the most PT he has seen all year.I’m sure he had this game circled..actually I be surprised if he didn’t make an early entrance.
Mark Bradley
December 1st, 2009
1:15 am
I don’t think Vick gets to pick his spots. I think Andy Reid does.
Denver Bird
December 1st, 2009
1:16 am
just give me 9-7 and I’ll smile for a year… The entire NFL knows about the ridiculous jinx this franchise carts around, and I say it’s past time we rid ourselves of such embarrassing notoriety…. and I ALSO say beating the Saints on Dec 13 will be a fun stepping-stone to getting us there even quicker!
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 1st, 2009
1:37 am
True Mark but do you really think for a second that Vick is not going to get some run?Mike Vick returns to Atlanta and sits out the game?I’m sure the Falcons expect to see him on the field.
Heath
December 1st, 2009
2:01 am
As I recall, Chris Redman has played pretty well as a Falcon. Hs TD to INT ration is better than 2-1, right? He’s a veteran, looked pretty good last week and when he filled in a few years ago. I don’t understand why everyone thinks things will be so much worse with him in as QB.
David Smith
December 1st, 2009
2:59 am
The Falcons have a chance to erase the many doubters and their past history of futility with these last 5 games of the season. Our defense will need to step up and get off the field on third downs and our offense will need to keep opposing offenses off the field with time consuming drives that eat up the clock. I still believe that this team will win 10 games this season but, they will have to play lights out Football in order for it to happen.
BIRDDAWGONE
December 1st, 2009
3:10 am
Mark:
I can not believe you are still writing about football. You obviously do not know what you are talking about. It seems to me that you are a mean person, who only write to make people mad. I think it was cruel of you, what you did to those georgia tech fans. Writing all year about how much better georgia tech was than GEORGIA. Saying their coach was better- predicting tech to beat GEORGIA.
What you did was like invitng orphans to a Christmas party and then making them serve your guest and eat their scraps. You are just mean and I feal sorry for those tech fans who believed anything you ever wrote. You had a bad season, should they fire you?
MrDawgFan
December 1st, 2009
4:18 am
You seem to be avoiding the topic of UGA. How can a whole staff of writers be so wrong. Oooops, I bet this gets censored. Don’t diss the Brad. You should be writing about lacrosse, because you know nothing about football, albeit college or pro. I hope you feel as embarrassed as you should.
MrDawgFan
December 1st, 2009
4:19 am
I almost forgot, you need some tissue for that brown on your nose?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 1st, 2009
5:09 am
One more reason Mark, they only play N.O. once.
Sagacity means smart
December 1st, 2009
6:27 am
I’m an effective writer because I use strong, familiar words and choose to ignore words like sagacity. I don’t even learn what they mean, until a lesser writer uses them in a blog and I have to break out the old dictionary.
Sagacity means smart
December 1st, 2009
6:28 am
Just kidding about that lesser writer thing.
FOXNOISE.NET
December 1st, 2009
6:30 am
The Eagles have our number every year, New Orleans is too much for us – and we are too bad on the road this year to beat the Jets. That leaves us 8-8 at best and maybe 7-9 if we lose our last game to Tampa Bay. Considering the schedule and injuries that’s still not bad.
Wlld Card is very possible
December 1st, 2009
6:53 am
The Falcons are still in the thick of the wild card race.
The best news about this season is the Falcons are 5-0 at home.
The Eagles game is huge and the Falcons must win this one, somehow.
willie martinez
December 1st, 2009
7:02 am
Mark, the 6th reason is that I’m not their defensive coordinator. wilie
jerry
December 1st, 2009
7:06 am
Birds won’t give up their no back-to-back winning record seasons title easily. A mighty effort to lose to the Bucs fell just a little short. Fight on!!!
The Ghost Norm Van Brocklin
December 1st, 2009
7:07 am
Playoffs – Smlayoffs. I’ll settle for the 1st back-to-back winning seasons in team history. We can work from there.
I’m just happy we are even talking about the possibility of back-to-back winning seasons after 11 games into the season. At this point in past seasons, we have been talking about franchise players who torture animals, coaches who have lust in their hearts after other jobs on the Pacific Coast, and coaches who gurantee one thing, then tight a flight and appear on TV doing the pig-sooey.
I’ll take our present vs. our past. Any ol’ day.
Jim Mora, Sr.
December 1st, 2009
7:10 am
Playoffs?
Playoffs!
Are you kidding me? You said playoffs??
FALCONS SORRY
December 1st, 2009
7:10 am
SORRY ATL FALCONS! GET READY TO MEET YOUR DOOM THIS WEEKEND AS THE MAN COME BACK TO TAKE BACK HIS HOUSE FROM ALL THE HATERS! THE PEOPLES QUARTERBACK IS COMING TO TAKE BACK HIS THRONE! MATTY HOPELESS HAS BEEN SO SCARRED OF THIS WEEKEND GAME FOR SO LONG THAT HE FAKED HIS SO CALL INJURY TO GET OUT OF HAVING TO GO FACE TO FACE WITH THE MAN EVER BODY KNOW SHOULD BE THE REAL QUARTERBACK OF THE FALCONS AND THE REAL LEADER OF THE FALCON NATION! AFTER THE REST OF THIS SEASON GO DOWN THE DRAIN AND VICK TOTALY DESTROY THE DOME AND THIS WHOLE CITY FULL OF HATER EBENEEZER SCROOG BLANK IS GOING TO BE CRYING LIKE A LITTLE SISSY AND BEGGING MIKE TO COME BACK AND HELP KEEP HIM FROM GOING BROKE! COME SUNDAY BLANK WILL BE KISSING MIKES FEET! NEXT MONTH DEAD BEAT BLANK WHO WONT EVEN MAKE THE PLAY OFF WILL BE KISSING MIKES SUPPER BOWL RING! THIS SUNDAY THE MAN IS GOING TO COME IN WITH THE EAGELS LIKE A SWARM OF JAPAN PLANE THAT TURN PEARL HARBOR INTO SWISS CHEEZ! AUTHUR BLANK! YOU NEED TO PUT ON SOME LIP STICK PUCKER UP YOUR LIP AND GET READY KISS YOUR BEHIND GOOD BUY! OOO! I SEE THE SWARM OF EAGELS COMING IN THE DISTANCE ALREADY GETTING THEY BOMB READY! RUN AND HIDE BLANK! PEARL HARBOR FALCONS! PEARL HARBOR!
Tiger Woods' Publicist
December 1st, 2009
7:12 am
I sure hope Bobby Bowden retires today. And, I sure hope his wife raises h#ll.
Please take as many reporters away to Tallahassee and away from the gates of this subdivision as possible.
Andy Reid
December 1st, 2009
7:19 am
Miss falcons sorry,
……………………..
Michael Vick will not travel with the Eagles this week in order to keep idiots like you away from the Georgia Dome.
Nativebird
December 1st, 2009
7:41 am
Wish I had some quotes from this preseason bandwagon, I seem to recall, “11-5!” and even “12-4!” and “deep into the playoffs!”. I believe I was not the only one who, with a completely re-tooled and infant defense, claimed a simple 9-7 winning season would be a MIRACULOUS acheivement considering the brutal schedule that last year’s record gave us. I’d hate to see it, but 9-7 is looking iffy….(again!).
Singletary
December 1st, 2009
7:52 am
I wish I had Tiger’s PR genius. WHO else could keep the cops at bay? Okay, now that we’ve established that, I understand the limited maneuvers my buddy Chris Redman has, but keep the faith, my brothers. He’s trying. Burner wants to be in. J-Rock can make some limited but spectacular appearances. And he who makes us all unworthy (Harvey Dahl) still wants to play. We have to see all the cards that have been dealt, and yes — I admit it — I want the chance to take down NOLA in the predator dome.
Donovan McNabb
December 1st, 2009
7:52 am
W’s, L’s, and T’s…. what is T’s?
lefty fielder
December 1st, 2009
8:08 am
Falcons Sorry
Dude, mash that little button that says cap lock. Also, your handle needs a verb.
The Boss
December 1st, 2009
8:22 am
“Falcons Sorry”- Is that really how you type/speak? Man I hope that is made up and not real. And you referencing Pearl Harbor in comparison to a FOOTBALL GAME shows further disrespect and flat out stupidity.
The only thing “Sorry” is your dumb a$$. Now pucker up boy so you can go love on your _ick!
The Boss
December 1st, 2009
8:25 am
Andy Reid-
Classic! lmao.
Saint Simons
December 1st, 2009
8:27 am
((((((((((((((30-24)))))))))))))))))) HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
BTW, I’m a little biotch.
MiltonDawg
December 1st, 2009
8:32 am
ahh, gotta love the culture of vick fans still in this city. still blaming someone rather than accept fault or responsibility.
falcons can do it, just play smart ball, and hopefully the D will show up- especially abraham!!
Taylor
December 1st, 2009
9:01 am
The Florida Gators Carlos Dunlap was arrested for DUI this morning. It will be interesting to see what Urban Meyer does about this. He will probably suspend him for the National Anthem this weekend. It will also be interesting to see how the AJC reports on this.
Falconian
December 1st, 2009
9:03 am
Is Samantha Baker going to play on Sunday? If he would quit wearing such high heels during the game, and go with maybe a cleat, it may cut down on his injuries.
Sonny Clusters
December 1st, 2009
9:08 am
5 Reasons . . . and they is 5 Toes in the picture. Only 1 toe is hurt. That leaves 4 toes for playing football. Is that what you meant to say, Mark?
p.s. Those are some ugly toes.
reebok
December 1st, 2009
9:08 am
absolutely zero chance of winning 3 of the remaining 5. 7-9 or 8-8. the offense is depleted and the D is nonexistent. the streak lives.
Erin Andrews' Landing Strip
December 1st, 2009
9:16 am
A winning season still seems probable to me, but to make the playoffs, the Falcons need to do one thing; immediately hire the Great Adjuster, the Greatest Coach in the History of Western Civilization, the Super Genius, Paul Johnson.
John
December 1st, 2009
9:20 am
I think any real Falcons fan looked at the schedule and figured the best we’d be was 10-6 this year. Sure, we always hope for more, but that was realistic. Those who picked them 11-5, 12-4, winning the division and playing in the title game were blinded by their easy schedule last year and fortune with injuries. And anyone would know that 10-6 is iffy for the playoffs. So, that said, all real Falcons fans were just hoping to get the monkey off the back with consecutive winning seasons and maybe with a little luck, we’d find ourselves in the playoffs with a shot. The luck hasn’t panned out. That’s okay. The future looks good and that lifts me up. If they can finish 9-7 with this schedule and those injuries, that bodes well. That means these guys are winners and except no excuses.
And, if they do end 8-8, I can wait until 2011 to end the curse. That, I am confident about. Hell, I’ve already waited this long, what’s two more years.
bubba
December 1st, 2009
9:24 am
forget it, season over, no winning record whether ryan played or not
Kashi
December 1st, 2009
9:28 am
I liked what I saw on Redman last few games with Petrino. I was praying Falcons would stick with Redman for 2nd backup qb. I am very confident that Redman is no less then Ryan with Eagles. Go Redman.. I am with you and best of luck.
D-DawgDavis
December 1st, 2009
9:30 am
One thing I noticed from last night’s game between New Orleans and New England. Chris McAllister and Mike McKenzie both were out of a job two weeks ago and now after last night they look like great FA signings. How did we pass on both of those guys??
Easy Breesy Lemon Peezy
December 1st, 2009
9:31 am
It is disappointing that we won’t have Ryan for an important game to get an tiebreaker, but I think you’re right Mark. Falcons see that schedule at the end of the year and they know that gambles could pay off. So sit Ryan and Turner, get them healthy, and finish the season out strong.
D-DawgDavis
December 1st, 2009
9:32 am
One thing from last night’s game that is glaring to me. Mike McKenzie and Chris McAllister, both out of the game two weeks ago, show up and dominate a Brady-led passing game. How did the Falcons pass on BOTH of those guys?
John's Right
December 1st, 2009
9:34 am
10-6 was our expectation. Let’s not forget that this team is still in the middle of a revamp and we had 5 new starters on the defense. The offense didn’t perform quite as well as was expected and then the injury bug hit us and we derailed slightly. People who complain about this year expect too much in the short term. We’re building for long term success and anything we do this year is simply gravy.
DJ
December 1st, 2009
9:35 am
No chance of winning 3 more games? Hogwash…the Falcons have 3 more home games and will not lose at home. Yes, that means we will tag a loss on the Saints (hopefully their first).
Here’s a hint to NFL defensive coordinators that have to play the
Saints: Dust off the 90’s films of defending against the run & shoot. The league seems to have forgotten how to defend against it and the
Saints are only taking advantage of this fact.
Finally….for all of you “Falcons Fans” (yes I quote you because your description of yourselves in inaccurate): your team has not lost at home in nearly 2 full seasons. Get off your ***** and quit looking at your TV. Your (still “rebuilding”) team is consistently winning at home and deserves a whole lot more than 15,000 empty seats.
Supes
December 1st, 2009
9:36 am
The Falcons will surprise a lot of people and beat the Eagles this sunday.
This team plays much different at home, they find ways to win games even with backup players and when they squander leads.
Chris Redman has proved he’s more than capable of sustaining drives, he did it 2 years ago, granted in some “throw away garbage games”, but none to less, he proved he can make good decisions and take care of the football.
We need to get J-Rock more involved, in the running game, short passing game, get him out on the perimeter with screens, reverses, etc.
Run Snelling between the tackles.
As long as the Falcons keep this game close, they will find a way to pull it out.
Jason Elam needs to quit messing around, he can’t aford to miss any more makable FG, it’s draining the team, killing momentum and demoralizing.
As long as or O-Line gets healthy, I think Redman…and the combination of Snelling/J-Rock will be enough to beat the Eagles at home.
The Eagles barely beat the Redskins (at their place), so they’ve got problems of their own. They don’t have Westbrooke, a rookie RB plus a FB is their running game. Andy Reid still wants to throw it 60 times per game.
Eagles not as good as last year. Falcons, not as good as last year, all things considered, this being a home game…Falcons find a way to win it!
Sonny Clusters
December 1st, 2009
9:38 am
What about the kicker? Do they have a new kicker yet?
MCook
December 1st, 2009
9:41 am
FalconSorry missed the short bus this morning.
And “Choke”, Deion Sanders can tell your ignorant a$$ all about turf toe,but YOU would cut him some slack. After all he’s a bro,right?
Mark Bradley
December 1st, 2009
9:52 am
I picked the Falcons to go 10-6 and win the division. Obviously I didn’t see the Saints being unbeaten. Nor did I envision all the injuries. But that’s the NFL.
NERDS!!!!!
December 1st, 2009
10:03 am
Did all the yellow bug fans get turf toe at the same time？
WHERE ARE THEY NOW????
Greg Mendel
December 1st, 2009
10:03 am
I’m not optimistic about making the playoffs, but I think the Falcons can end “the Curse,” and that would be a huge accomplishment. If last season had been the reconstructive season predicted, we’d probably be pretty content with 2009. Best of all, the chances of several unbroken winning seasons to come are good, once the most glaring weaknesses are methodically corrected. (Chris Houston first. Even before Elam.)
Matt Ryan is the franchise quarterback, but he hasn’t been playing much better than Redman lately. I think Ryan will actually improve as a result of being out a couple of games. He’s still a rookie who was thrown into the Lion’s Den. If he was really a dud, it would have shown last season.
Regarding Philly and Nawluns — good as they are — they may arrive with Tampa Bay Syndrome, already chalking up the Birds as a W. We’ve lost to about three teams this year that have come off byes for “must win” games against the Falcons. I’m betting we win against one of them, probably Philly. All the emotion and “intangibles” in the world won’t save our inept bonsai CBs from Drew Breese. Unless we get some very major turnovers.
Tommy
December 1st, 2009
10:04 am
Of the five remaining games, there is no game left where you can say ‘forget it, no chance, they can’t win’. They could end up anywhere between 7-9 and 11-5 (my bet is 10-6 and we lose the 6th-seed tiebreaker to the Giants). The Saints game will be tough, but we came very close against them in NO, and they’re due for a bad game. Ruining their perfect season would be almost as great as making the playoffs.
This team is prepared every week. Under Mike Smith, they have never lost by three scores (their largest margin of defeat is 16, against Dallas and New England this year). Falcons teams from 5 or 10 years ago would have closed up shop after the Carolina game. Remember what happened in ‘99 and ‘03, when Jamal Anderson and Vick went down. They quit.
The best thing about this Falcons team is that they are always worth watching.
GT..(avoids shreveport)
December 1st, 2009
10:16 am
….12-2….Orange Bowl Champs….
PMC
December 1st, 2009
10:18 am
nice column Mark. I think it’s worth just having faith in whatever 53 can go. We have an excellent battery between TD and Smith even if the talent level on this particular team isn’t quite up to snuff…. the coaches in place are doing well with what they have and the players are playing thier behinds off.
I’m just hoping we can get better play on the line of scrimmage the rest of the year. They aren’t going to quit simply because a few starters can’t go and with only 53 slots every player on the game day roster should be able to perform at a very high level when asked.
JSS
December 1st, 2009
10:19 am
DJ, If you think the N.O. Saints are playing with Run and shoot tendencies, I just don’t how to say how wrong you are… (Not personal) Too much Tight End play, and they go VERTICAL!!! Running Backs are involved and go vertical as well. These aren’t option routes, the receivers are making plays… Coltson’s catch and run 2 weeks ago was something to behold… R&S was predicated on small quick receivers running option routes and Quarterback making quick reads and getting it there… Brees surveys the field and then he hums it… You must be confusing them with the 2001 New England Patroits…
PMC
December 1st, 2009
10:20 am
The miss last week was on the snapper who had 2 more stinkers. Hopefully they can correct him this week and Elam will stop shanking it left.
PMC
December 1st, 2009
10:24 am
I wonder if Mike will be delivering cool water, yellow, red or purple gatoraid this weekend…. in his house….perhaps some chunky soup to the QB.
ohmy
December 1st, 2009
10:36 am
unlike last season, every opponent expects us to be good. no more intangible edge. teams are ready for the falcons. this year’s team may be better, but other teams are better as well and some are still pretty good anyway. Our defense, while leaking like a sieve, has still put the offense in a position to win games. The offense has been inconsistent, but this is not really a surprise given the change in dynamics brought on by TG–more choice means more indecision–for everybody. Elam has been a dissapointment but is still good–his errors are far more obvious…and costly. In every way, this organization is better than it has ever been. 9-7 will be joyful.
pilgrim
December 1st, 2009
10:39 am
@D-DawgDavis
Good question. How did we miss on McKenzie?
I Now Pronounce You "Barack & Larry."
December 1st, 2009
10:42 am
I watched the new movie “THE BLIND SIDE” the other night, and it got me thinking a bit about how important the family home is to a person’s lifelong development.
If Michael Vick had been raised by the same kind, intelligent, religious, loving, law-abiding, cerebral, articulate, tax-paying, clean-cut parents with good hygiene who raised Tim Tebow, would he have grown up to be both an upstanding citizen AND a top-rate NFL QB?
Mr. & Mrs. Tebow could have obviously have taken the thug out of the ‘hood, but could even they have pulled off a miracle and taken the ‘hood out of the thug?
How much better could Mr. Vick’s life be today if he had been raised properly?
I wonder…
Glitchy
December 1st, 2009
10:47 am
NERDS, the yellow bug fans are getting ready for the ACC championship game.
Who the DAWGS playin this week??
Sonny Clusters
December 1st, 2009
10:49 am
Mark, when Dimitroff tells Arthur Blank what is going on . . . is that called Filling in the Blank?
And when you look at his face . . . do you see a Blank expression?
Are those suits from Jos. A Blank?
Clay
December 1st, 2009
10:51 am
FALCONS SORRY, Ryan and Vick will be face to face – sitting on the bench across from each other!!!
master
December 1st, 2009
10:52 am
DONE! SAINTS r awsum
ARTHUR B.
December 1st, 2009
10:53 am
ANYBODY WANNA BUY A FOOTBALL TEAM?
tjg
December 1st, 2009
10:56 am
Here’s what the Falcons need this season: more risk taking!
I was screaming “Go for two!” after the TD in NYC, but they did not.
If you have superior talent, and are at home, etc then yes, play the percentages…if not then gamble a little and roll the dice – it’s their only chance (get a little lucky) and get rid of the kicker who from preseason onwards has cost hem at least one or two games. Act now and take a few risks, and maybe just maybe…
Baba O'Riley
December 1st, 2009
10:58 am
tim mazetti, mick luckhurst, donald iguebweke, the gramatica brothers, norm johnson…bring ANYONE in. we need a kicker
AlternateReality
December 1st, 2009
11:01 am
Anybody notice that the Falcons D actually played the Saints better than New England’s did? The Pats corners were getting scorched pretty badly. At least Grimes and Houston usually make the tackles that the Pat’s CBs were whiffing on last night.
AlternateReality
December 1st, 2009
11:04 am
tjg –
Do you think Smitty would go for 2 if he had to do it all over? I hope so – I was thinking the same thing that day.
I think that last year he gambled more because he didn’t have anything to lose, and this year, with higher expectations, he’s played it a little closer to the vest. Time to loosen up again.
I Now Pronounce You "Barack & Larry."
December 1st, 2009
11:11 am
I was watching the new movie “THE BLIND SIDE” the other night, and it got me to think about how important parents are in raising a child.
If Michael Vick had been raised by the same kind, caring, intelligent, law-abiding, clean-cut, tax-paying, articulate, cerebral, God-fearing, well-mannered, turn signal-using, restaurant server-tipping parents who raised Tim Tebow, would he today be an excellent citizen, a scholar AND a top-rate professional quarterback?
How much better would Mr. Vick’s life be today if he had been raised properly?
Mr. & Mrs. Tebow could obviously have taken the vermin out of the ‘hood, but could they have pulled off a minor miracle and taken the ‘hood out of the vermin?
Hmmm…..
I Now Pronounce You "Barack & Larry."
December 1st, 2009
11:12 am
Enter your comments here
JSS
December 1st, 2009
11:13 am
Alternate, he’s still gambling… He’s wasted more important timeouts with that little red flag… Put that thing away!!!
tjg
December 1st, 2009
11:34 am
No, I do not think he even considered going for two then or now, and that’s the issue. Same thing concerning forth downs. Your team came back unbelieveablely, used up ALL their energy, managed miraculously to get within one point, on the road with the Giants offense humming, and you want to “play it out in overtime???” Sorry, Smitty is a great program builder but not a great real time decision maker and I am afraid if asked he would say “I would do it again this way, and kick to tie.” Here’s the better option: use your last time out and find a play you like and roll the dice…could have been the difference in play-offs or no play-offs. (There have been other occasions when he has not been on top of it either…hope it is just youth as a head coach and not a pattern of conservative behavior becasue the faclsons are just not good enough to win consistently by always playing the odds…especially this year.
tjg
December 1st, 2009
11:34 am
Enter your comments here
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
11:56 am
Mark
Still think my statement about the CHOKE faking injury is “silly”?
Then explain why Smith who you stated in other blogs, does not give out information on injured players, not until required by the League, yet ruled out the CHOKE on a Monday afternoon, yet has listed Norwood as questionable the past 4-6 weeks and listed Turner as a game time decision the previous week.
I wonder why he would not wait until required by the league to disclose his decision on the CHOKE. Why so early?
Has he ruled out Baker yet?
Has he ruled out Dahl yet?
Has he ruled out Turner yet?
Is the CHOKE a special case? But why?
I still am convinced that he was going to get benched, but Blank didn’t want the fan base to say “WE TOLD YOU SO”.
Therefore, he had to look for a perfect bailout to make it look like he was benched for having an injury.
The CHOKE was not even limping when he left the field.
I’m happy Blank finally realized that he is not NFL material and needed to be benched in a game that the team desperately needed to prolong the obvious………..WHIPPED by the Eagles and Saints.
Mark Bradley
December 1st, 2009
12:00 pm
Yes. Your statement is silly.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
Supes
December 1st, 2009
9:36 am
The Falcons will surprise a lot of people and beat the Eagles this sunday.
“You are STUPID” Girl
Real Fan
December 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
The Eagles barely beat the Deadskins last week. It’s very possible to win this one. We just need to get rid of Elam and it’s more than possible. So “choke” on that!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
Real Fan
December 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
The Eagles barely beat the Deadskins last week. It’s very possible to win this one. We just need to get rid of Elam and it’s more than possible. So “choke” on that!
“And the Falcons” needed a miracle to beat a 1-10 team, at home, against a rookie qb………
So what is your logic
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
Atlien
December 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Why did Coach Smith announce Ryan wasn’t playing on Monday when just last week he refused to give details on Turner until it was mandatory by the league to disclose player injuries? He plainly said he wouldn’t disclose anything until he had too, but now he gives the Eagles a full week’s notice that Matty Ice won’t be playing on Sunday?? Yeah….ok, sure.
“Guess I’m not the only silly one”
GINA
December 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
And why is the last game against the Bucs a given??
Benjamin
December 1st, 2009
12:30 pm
Atlanta is going to beat either Philly or the Saints. Call it a prediction.
Atlien
December 1st, 2009
12:31 pm
Real Fan, the Falcons barely beat the Bucs whose record is worse than the Skins.
Atlien
December 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
Tim Tebow’s parents broke rules and shopped him into a district that he did not live in at all to play for a particular high school down in Florida. Tebow’s parents are hypocrites of the highest order.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:35 pm
CHOKE’s Injury is a CONSPIRACY:
Don’t let the AJC and the team fool you!
Isn’t it a big coincident that with the return of Michael Vick & Smith ruling out a player before the deadline?
Coincident?
I say Conspiracy!
Don’t let them try and fool you. This would be HUGE if by some way Andy Reid allows Vick more touches than he has in previous games and he EMBARRASSES the Falcons and the CHOKE continues to throw PICKS especially with that great secondary, led by Asante Samuel.
This so obvious it’s a CONSPIRACY.
Nice try Blank
Nice try Falcons
Nice try AJC
YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:38 pm
Bradley
Are you trying to block my posts because you have been exposed. Don’t make me bug your bosses at the AJC!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:51 pm
You know, guys, I’m done livin’ the lie. I really am a FALCONS FAN. And I would give anything to sniff Matt Ryan’s jock. It’s just that I’ve had so much fun over these years provoking and baiting y’all and seeing all the passion poured forth on behalf of the Falcons, well I became addicted to the blog like my cousin, MV7, became addicted to dog fighting. It’s been a long and fun run, but I decided to out myself here and now. Why out myself now? No reason. No reason at all. Insanity has no reason. BWAAHAHAHAH!!!LIKKYLAKKALOCO!
Baba O'Riley
December 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
Atlien- The Packers DID lose to the Bucs. They seem to be doing fine now.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:54 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
December 1st, 2009
12:51 pm
You know, guys, I’m done livin’ the lie. I really am a FALCONS FAN. And I would give anything to sniff Matt Ryan’s jock. It’s just that I’ve had so much fun over these years provoking and baiting y’all and seeing all the passion poured forth on behalf of the Falcons, well I became addicted to the blog like my cousin, MV7, became addicted to dog fighting. It’s been a long and fun run, but I decided to out myself here and now. Why out myself now? No reason. No reason at all. Insanity has no reason. BWAAHAHAHAH!!!LIKKYLAKKALOCO!
Link Report this comment
Benjamin
December 1st, 2009
2:02 pm
What a fulfilling life you must lead, Choke.