The Falcons were Vick-timized, but mostly they’re just vexed
Michael Vick had his moments, but they weren't key. (AP photo)
“Disappointing and embarrassing,” was how Arthur Blank put it, and such was the overstuffed nature of the day a listener felt moved to ask: Which part? “The performance,” Blank said.
And the the Michael Vick aspect? Blank all but waved that away, saying, “I thought the reaction was mixed. A lot of people are happy to see him back in the NFL, and to see him have success … the reaction certainly was understandable.”
What Vick did Sunday was stimulating but inessential. He scored a touchdown to make it 20-0 and threw for another to make it 34-7. And some Falcons fans indeed cheered his deeds, but it must be noted there were a slew of Eagles fans in the Dome and they’d have saluted Kevin Kolb with much the same gusto.
No matter how it seemed on TV, Vick’s sort of homecoming commanded no consensus. He drew more boos than cheers when he made his first appearance, and even after the two touchdowns this was not — no matter how the national media might portray it — a case of every single Falcons supporter changing sides. The majority came ready to support the home team, but the home team did nothing to hold up its end.
The Falcons were beaten 34-7 in a game with massive playoff ramifications, and they needed a deflected touchdown pass at the final horn to make it that close. Put simply, the 2009 Falcons looked no better than the 1989 Falcons. They looked like a team falling to pieces. Which they pretty much are.
The team that changed five defensive starters over the offseason was forced by injury to change five offensive starters in one week. “We will not make excuses,” Mike Smith said, and a team might well bite the bullet if it’s down a man or two. But down five?
Wasn’t it unrealistic to expect a high-level showing from an offense at half-strength? “Yeah,” said linebacker Michael Peterson, but then he backpedaled. “Not really. Guys have to come in and perform.”
The Falcons, sad to say, have run out of guys. If they get enough men back within the next couple of weeks, the forever-sought second consecutive winning season might still occur. But the playoffs? That ship is steaming out of sight.
What happened Sunday wasn’t a repudiation of the post-Vick design but a grim reminder that an NFL team is only as robust as its health. “Both parties have moved on,” Vick said afterward. “They have a franchise quarterback and they’re putting people around him, and they’re going to continue to make strides. And I’m going to do the same.”
Alas, the franchise quarterback has turf toe. The franchise back has a twice-sprained ankle. At least three starting offensive linemen are injured. The team lost badly Sunday because it lacked the manpower to do any better. Sometimes it’s not who wants it more. Sometimes it’s who has more healthy bodies.
Said Blank: “The team didn’t play up to the level of our expectations. That’s not what Falcons football is about.”
The latest installment of the Michael Vick Experience was a one-shot deal. He won’t be back anytime soon. The Falcons have another game next week, and then the next, and then two more after that. And for all the expressions of embarrassment — Peterson said he was so abashed “it hurts to do this interview” — there wasn’t a real alternative. You need good players to play well. Too many of the Falcons’ good players didn’t play Sunday.
As galling as the score might have been, the game itself was an accurate reflection of relative worth. The Eagles are so stacked they have three quarterbacks better than Chris Redman. The final month can be reduced to this: Either the Falcons get healthy or they keep getting beat. And right now you wouldn’t bet on recuperation.
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212 comments Add your comment
Jimmy
December 6th, 2009
6:33 pm
Craig M:
We are cursed.
I don’t think our picks will be that high…middle of the pack unless we lose the rest of our games.
There is not a 2nd round pick next year either.
We are cursed.
Ivan
December 6th, 2009
6:33 pm
“…his was not — no matter how the national media might portray it — a case of every single Falcons supporter changing sides.”
Sorry, Mark. I’m not buying. I couldn’t be at the game because I don’t live in Atlanta, but now, I’m certainly glad I don’t. The “We want Vick!” chanting and the cheering for the OTHER team said a lot about the city and its fans. I’m sure Smith, Blank, the front office, and the entire 53 man roster that bust their butts every single day, starting entertaining thoughts about a transfer. And I don’t blame them.
Way to go “fans”! /sarcasm
pigpen
December 6th, 2009
6:34 pm
I think the Iggles just scored again.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 6th, 2009
6:35 pm
Seems like we are jinxed. Unbelievable how many key guys have gone down. Our 1st and 2nd rd. picks, our star QB and RB. Our veteran corner. Incredible.
This year is a wash. But you gotta like us next year. We’ll be adding a healthy Peria Jerry and William Moore, plus some pretty high draft picks and free agents, with pretty much all of our key guys locked down
—-
they got you hook line and sinker.
Wait till next year. the battle cry of losers.
philly is without their, starting rb, wr, lost their qb for a while and several ol ( andrews) and defensive players.
Nothing is guaranteed have you forgotten about the last 40 years? every year we said wait till next year.
Reid Adair
December 6th, 2009
6:35 pm
The national media wants to make a big deal out of the “cheers” when Vick threw the touchdown pass, but it should be noted that many of the Falcons’ fans were gone by that point.
Today’s game was difficult. Given that Matt Ryan and Michael Turner were out, I knew it would not be easy – but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Chris Redman looked awful. The offensive line was awful. The running game was non-existent.
But it wasn’t all the offense’s fault. Donovan McNabb had all day to throw; the inconsistent pass rush that the Falcons have had throughout the season was basically non-existent today.
stendec
December 6th, 2009
6:36 pm
Mike “Defensive Guru” Petrino is Pat Peppler. Matt “Stumbed Toe” Ryan is Chris Miller. Chris “Another Interception” Redman is Joey Harrington. Michael “Injured Again” Turner is Bubba Bean. The 2009 Falcons are the 2007 Falcons. The Falcon secondary is nowhere to be found. What has changed since the 1960s? Not a damn thing! Nothing ever will. The organization is in desperate need of a heart transplant. Make that insertion. A heart has to be present for a transplant. Professionals play to the final whistle? Professionals never give up? Falcons stopped playing after opening kickoff and mentally quit during pregame warmups. Am I wrong? To Hell with all of them! Here is hopes for a 6-10 finish. Go Saints and Dolphins. Bless them. Curse Falcons! ++STENDEC++
pigpen
December 6th, 2009
6:36 pm
This just in….Redmon just hit a D tackle in the hands.
Tell it like it is
December 6th, 2009
6:37 pm
Mark-the Falcons have packed it in for the year. you know and i know it.No team plays like that and expects to make the playoffs.Are the eagles that good or are the Falcons that sorry bad?
J-Bro
December 6th, 2009
6:39 pm
Vick was really a non-factor in this game – the Eagles were going to win with or without him. Andy Reid just wanted to rub it in the Falcons’ faces. And good for him…I’m sure we the Eagles’ ownership is rewviewing the season (after their first round playoff loss), Reid will point to this game as a “quality” win.
Enjoy at least two more season of Reid and McNabb Eagles’ fans. I know you know how this story will unfold….
6-10
December 6th, 2009
6:40 pm
<———— It's comin'
Tell it like it is
December 6th, 2009
6:42 pm
Stendec– Have to agree with you.hit the nail right on the head.
Mike Hunt
December 6th, 2009
6:42 pm
Forget the back to back winning seasons. Sit back and enjoy our biggest rival continue their journey to a perfect season and probable Super Bowl victory. Get ready to face Bill Cowher next year as the coach of the Panthers. And we can watch our defense getting reamed for 20+ yard plays all day long. And they spend so much time on the field because our offense can’t do anything either. Oh, but we had some injuries so let’s cut them some slack, right?
Fair and Balanced
December 6th, 2009
6:42 pm
Well…..looks like a lot of folks worst nightmare came true. So shall we start looking forward to the draft?
The Dogfighter Returns
December 6th, 2009
6:43 pm
Vick was really a non-factor in this game – the Eagles were going to win with or without him. Andy Reid just wanted to rub it in the Falcons’ faces. And good for him…I’m sure we the Eagles’ ownership is rewviewing the season (after their first round playoff loss), Reid will point to this game as a “quality” win.
Enjoy at least two more season of Reid and McNabb Eagles’ fans. I know you know how this story will unfold….
—–
don’t kid yourself. he was a factor. he led two td drives after not playing football for two years.
imagine what the headlines would have been if he turned the ball over whenever he was in the game.
De Hard Falcons Fan
December 6th, 2009
6:43 pm
ATL has always been a tough team to be a fan of because the team has always been sooooo inconsistent; that being said I’ll always love them.
That being said I see us losing next week’s Saints game and then hope to see us win the last three. But the potential exists after we lose next weeks game for the team’s players to tank morale wise and look to next year.
Speaking of next year this team has a core group of strong players, needs some improvement in some key areas and also needs to re-look some current player positions.
Offensive wise: Keep the current coaching staff, but we need to learn how to use J. Norwood. He needs to be used on swing passes and screen plays; he is not worth a crap running between the tackles and is entirely too suspect injury wise to take those kinds of hits.
Baker is not a LT, McClure is over-the-hill, and Clabo’s weakness against speed rushers consistently shows at RT. Baker should be moved over to play RT. Clabo should be moved over to play LG. Blalock should become the back-up guard for either side. Then we need to find a Center and a LT via Free Agency or the Draft. Our O-Line just doesn’t have what it takes to play against the elite talented D-Lines in the NFL; we have 3 of 5 players and a strong back-up, but our O-Line still requires some work.
Running backs are fine.
Receiver wise we should be better off once we get H. Douglas back from injury, but we do need to look at picking up a tall and strong receiver in next years draft.
Defense wise: Start by canning B. VanGorder’s defensive schemes. I’d prefer having M. Smith calling the plays than allowing VanGorder to continue w/his weak schemes. In fact, I’d prefer we go w/a 3-4 Defensive scheme because I think we are more talented going that direction.
If we stay with a 4-3 Defensive scheme then on D-Line we need to get a pass rusher opposite J. Abraham. K. Biermann is okay but he is not elite talent. J. Anderson probably needs to get traded away. P. Jerry needs to come back strong next year and I’d also probably keep T. Johnson, Walker, and C. Davis. T. Lewis is a potential loss.
We have to upgrade our secondary via FA or the Draft. WE NEED A STRONG LCB TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TEACH C. HOUSTON HOW TO TURN HIS HEAD AROUND AND PLAY THE BALL IN COVERAGE OR MAKE HIM A NICKEL BACK WHERE EVERYTHING STAYS IN FRONT OF HIM. WE NEED TO MOVE C. JACKSON OVER TO DIME BACK AND THEN PUT B. GRIMES IN AS THE NICKEL BACK. GRIMES IS A SUPERIOR COVER CB IN SMALL SPACE AND HAS MUCH BETTER REACTION AND ATHLETICISM AS A NICKEL BACK THAN JACKSON DOES. The jury is probably still out on W. Moore and C. Owens, not sure if they are worth keeping or not so I’d probably keep them for at least one more season. That leaves Hill as the odd man out when it comes to cutting players.
Anyway, I see us needing to upgrade LT, Center, CB, DE, SS, and our entire Defensive Scheme before we have a legitimate shot at going deep into the playoffs next year. Oh BTW, we’ll need to stay relatively healthy too.
Barkin'Dog
December 6th, 2009
6:44 pm
The Saints clinched today. Maybe they’ll rest some players next week.
Whiznot
December 6th, 2009
6:45 pm
Redman is pathetic. Just one more reason to hate Latrino.
NCFalconFan
December 6th, 2009
6:45 pm
Danny I’m with you. No need to cry for RYAN (74 million contract) but no winning QB deserves that kind of treatment. Ryan was not asked to be drafted here and as long as he is a winning QB, he should deserve FALCON FANS support. I wonder when he’s out in the city how he’s treated?
Fair and Balanced
December 6th, 2009
6:45 pm
People keep talking about the “fans” cheering Vick…maybe some of you are under the mistaken belief that all of the people cheering were Falcon fans in the first place. Umm, there were just as many Eagles fans in the Dome and there are people who bought tickets specifically to see Mike Vick…so therefore, you weren’t looking at Falcons fans cheering Mike Vick. Dont get mad because the number of Falcons fans there were obviously outnumbered…just means the Falcons have a low number for a fanbase.
falcongal404
December 6th, 2009
6:46 pm
As a person that was sitting in the stands today, I have never been more ashamed and embarrassed by the “fans” in Atlanta. I understand if there are those that want to continue to support a previous Atlanta QB, with inconsistent talent. A cheer when he first comes out, ok I get that. But when your team is struggling mightly and people are chanting We want Vick at the end of the game. I was disgusted. You can’t tell me they were all Eagles fans. I was sitting next to many Season ticket holders that were chanting we want Vick. How do you think that makes our more talented, albeat young QB sitting on the sidelines feel? Who couldn’t do anything to help his team? What does that do for his confidence? VICK is no LONGER a Falcon. Get over it and move on. Stop wearing his jersey…he is never coming back and it’s time to support the Falcons future. If you don’t want to do that, THEN STOP GOING TO THE GAMES. It seems that Vick has moved on, as has Arthur, why can’t the misguided fans?
lawton
December 6th, 2009
6:46 pm
I loved every minute of it. Funny how EVERYBODY comes back to the dome and gets to celebrate, Deion, Jeff George, Chris Chandler, Vick, everybody they run out of town, comes back and shows them how REAL FOOTBALL organizations win. lol
Kenneth
December 6th, 2009
6:46 pm
ATL fans cheering for #7 reminds of the time at Turner field in the 2000 Braves season when the Baltimore Orioles and Cal Ripken came to town. I was there and surrounded by Braves fans who suddenly switched sides and began cheering for him when he finally appeared at bat. He hit a home run. I’m not from ATL. I just don’t get Atlanta area fans.
Kenneth
December 6th, 2009
6:48 pm
correction: that was the 2001 Braves season when the Orioles came to Turner Field.
natesmoney
December 6th, 2009
6:48 pm
bandwagon fan- MV7 served his time; he paid his debt to society and deserves to right to play in nfl. as for the falcons if ryan continues to be the int machine he was before his injury, the falcons franchise will be set back 3-4 yrs because of that draft pick. so don’t worry about vick; worry about ryan your so-called franchis qb. he threw quite a few int(s) in college too.
JSS
December 6th, 2009
6:49 pm
OK, a spray of cold water here… You have given your coordinators spoiled milk and asked them to make sweet milk… Mularkey hands are tied by the loss of 7/11 of his offense. Poor Brian VanGorder, playing with no. 3 depth chart talent across the board. You can only smoke and mirror people in the NFL until they get the film. Don’t believe me, go ask Jerry Glanville… All people have being saying all along, is be realistic…
TCCB
December 6th, 2009
6:50 pm
@THE DOG FIGHTER RETURNS: BELIEVE IT WE LOVE IT. VICK!!!!!! VICK!!!!!!! VICK!!!!! VICK!!!!! HIGH FIVE IN YOUR FACE
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
poppa falcon
December 6th, 2009
6:50 pm
We can use “injuries” as an excuse ALL WE WANT, all I know is that Mike Vick scored more points than my entire Falcon offense. THIS WAS EMBARRASSING, and there is no other way 2 look at it. If it wasn’t for the Tiger Woods scandal, the TRIUMPHANT return of Vick would dominate the sports news. My defense let Vick SHINE today, and it’s KILLING ME.
Ken
December 6th, 2009
6:50 pm
No more excuses from this soft team please. Just admit that you are what we thought you are. Even with players out, these are NFL backups that look like high school players. You see what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket (Ryan & Turner). In the game of football , you must build your team with the possibility of injuries in mind. It’s obvious that our GM and coaches did not do that. So much for this season. Maybe we can learn from our mistakes.
greg
December 6th, 2009
6:50 pm
8 and 8 or 7 and 9 was my prediction before the season started and that’s what it’s going to be. Everybody was wrong about this team.
LantaFalcons
December 6th, 2009
6:51 pm
If they don’t have a winning season, 2008 will be a thing of the past and Smith and Co will look like a one hit wonder who just got lucky.
Kane337
December 6th, 2009
6:51 pm
I am a Falcons fan. I cheer for the Falcons no matter what. I would never EVER think of cheering for another team or for that team to do well against the Falcons. I was at the dome today and I would say at least 80% of the dome cheered when Vick scored. It made me absolutely sick. I have never been so DISGUSTED at our fan base. I wanted to throw up. For the first time ever I questioned if I want to be associated with these fans. Are these the same fans I cheer with every Falcons game? The same ones that are cheering against our team and cheering for an ex Falcon sub-par QB? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell me what the hell do you people see in this guy? Why the hell do you like him so friggin much? His last 2 seasons with the Falcons 8-8 and 7-9 and couldn’t throw it in the ocean. Oh wait, it was our receivers fault right? What about all his off the field issues? Not his fault right? I don’t understand you people.
stendec
December 6th, 2009
6:52 pm
Can the crap about starting players being out! Wah wah wah. How many subs sitting on sidelines shined when presented opportunities? Guess reserves do not receive paychecks! Not all subs are apparent heartless scabs like Falcons. No Falcon – starter or otherwise – displayed any character whatsoever today! Losing is part of sports. Quitting is not! The Falcons quit! That coming from a fan who has seen every game since the inaugrial one in the 1960s. No excuses for quitting! NONE. ++STENDEC++
Falcons Fan
December 6th, 2009
6:53 pm
John Parker Wilson was available as the 3rd QB I don’t know why the falcons didn’t play him when Chris Redmond was struggling.
Ackshun
December 6th, 2009
6:54 pm
Anybody need some insurance?
Vick Supporter
December 6th, 2009
6:54 pm
Didn’t I tell you that Vick would have his breakout game against the Falcons….
HA!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!
I told you Vick would shine again…and it will continue. I was at the game and I LOVED seeing those sad faces and all the people cheering for Vick.
Just a reminder of what the fans were chanting:
“We want Vick!!! We want Vick!!!!” LMAO
ohmy
December 6th, 2009
6:54 pm
sickening. made worse in that there were more eagle’s fans where I watched the game than falcon’s fans. this nausea was compounded by the falcon’s fans cheering for Mike’s TDs. Had this whole thing been turned around and we were in Philly, the fan’s would have been booing their heads off for those scores. It is hard enough to be a falcon’s fan…seeing all that just brought up the bile. I still say 9-7. If Oakland can beat the steelers, eagles, cowboys and the bengals then anything is possible.
Fair and Balanced
December 6th, 2009
6:54 pm
falcongal404, how do you know the people cheering were Falcon fans? maybe they weren’t Falcons fans at all, its not a requirement to be one when you purchase a ticket. Just because you saw all those red #7 jerseys did not in any way identify a “falcons” fan. It identified a person who bought a jersey of a player that they liked…the player being on another team doesn’t mean the person stopped liking that player and it doesn’t mean just because they have an old jersey they are bound by some contractual agreement to cheer for the team of that old jersey.
Some of you are really twisted in thinking there is some such thing as fan “loyalty”…heck, you cheer for who the he!! you wanna cheer for, if somebody else doesn’t like it, they can kick rocks.
Atlanta Sport Teams Stinks
December 6th, 2009
6:55 pm
Just face it Atlanta is the worst sports town in the country.
sam the sham
December 6th, 2009
6:55 pm
roll over and play dead falcons
The Boss
December 6th, 2009
6:56 pm
We were outplayed in every way and that’s a fact. I think at full strength we are on par with Eagles and this could and would have been an entertaining game. It is what it is though. Like I have said on these blogs many times. To cheer for ANY opposing player against your own team for any reason is NOT what any REAL Football would do. Today that “noise” was mostly a representation of Vick supporters, sort of like that Town Hall meeting way back when…remember how well that portrayed the ATL?
Everyone has the right to boo or cheer whomever, or however they want. All I am saying is don’t do that, then call yourself a Falcon Fan because you are not. At least “Choke” never pretends to be a Falcons fan.
As a lifetime resident of the ATL and going to games since 1975, I have seen it all. But I can assure you “native Atlantan”and/or a TRUE Falcon fans were not the ones supporting the wrong team today.
As far as Vick, he will surely put butts in the seats wherever he goes. I for one am very glad it won’t be here.
Kenneth
December 6th, 2009
6:57 pm
falcongal404, if I may venture a guess as to why they haven’t moved on, it is because Vick and the circumstances that led to him pleading guilty to all charges is, in their minds, just like the situation with the Jena six and Vick is regarded as having been unfairly victimized by the system by a silly law that should not really matter. I don’t think they will ever move on.
Barkin'Dog
December 6th, 2009
6:57 pm
Kenneth – they cheered the Big Unit, Randy Johnson, as he was working on his perfect game against the Braves several years ago. It happens. Sometimes fans want to witness history more than get a win. That doesn’t make it right. But it is interesting to watch the culture of the Atlanta Sports Fan… especially those who still admire a felon who lied to and cheated the franchise that paid him more than he was worth. Oh, well… at least now that he’s gone, we can enjoy a more respectable, less obnoxious game atmosphere when those culprits are absent (albeit team results not being what we’d prefer to see). I loved watching MV play when I thought he was a team player, and a decent person (which he may be now, after serving his sentence), but the term “Good Riddance” comes to mind when I think of him and a few other “ME” players the Falcons once employed.
shortcircuit
December 6th, 2009
6:58 pm
i thought Joe Cox played for georgia but there he was starting for the falcons
The Boss
December 6th, 2009
6:59 pm
Real Football FAN ..that is!
poppa falcon
December 6th, 2009
7:00 pm
I agree with Stendec. I saw my team QUIT . I’m no Vick fan, but BASHING HIM NOW DOES NO GOOD because he looked BETTER THAN REDMAN!! I could give a flip about the fan base crap, too……everybody has a right 2 express their opinion EVEN IF their loyalty is misguided……I just want somebody to please tell me if they saw the same piss poor EFFORT on both sides of the ball LIKE I did???
jack
December 6th, 2009
7:00 pm
For all those who worship Vick so much, he has issued an invitation to his private party… you can join in the torture of dogs (drown, electrocute, hang) or watch Vick throw the dog so hard against concrete it kills the dog…Vick has done this so much its become boring for him but maybe you can cheer him while he does this… if that is not enough entertainment for you, you can join him as he lights up a special smoke that he usually hides in his “water” bottle.
natesmoney
December 6th, 2009
7:00 pm
i think it’s much too early to say that ryan is or will be a better qb than vick. but one thing is for sure the falcons are not better off without vick. if ryan can lift the franchise and energize the fan base like vick did i would be surprised. i think what you have in ryan is an avg qb who will turn the ball over way too much. time will tell, but this season and his jr and sr seasons in college indicate he is what he is – just avg; not a playmaker
Real
December 6th, 2009
7:01 pm
I am falcons fan,season ticket holder for 8yrs,If the falcons wasnt playing so bad maybe i would have had something to cheer about at the game,i didnt so i just cheered for vick.And watch some of them same old falcons fans who wore falcons jerseys today at game is going to be wearing their saints jerseys next week,so if somebody want to cheer for somebody else they can its a free country.so if you didnt like the falcons fans cheering for vick this week,you sure are not going to like the people who are falcons fans cheer for the saints next week.so just move on and get over it
jay
December 6th, 2009
7:02 pm
Like I said before when we cut Vick we should have kept him as a backup Redman is a good no. 3. Vick screwed up the Falcons so he should help fix the Falcons give him a min wage contract and let him sit . not reward him with a sb contender like philly. Anyway Vangorder must go and Dimitroff spend the damn cap money we have and bring in players veterans and draft picks that can actually contribute in the first year they are here. Also horrible goal line calls by Mularkey when it was 13-0.
Mr Charlie
December 6th, 2009
7:03 pm
Jay, you can’t pay a backup 10mil a year.