Live from the Dome, where consolation is available
The Dome positively pulses with energy at 11:43 a.m. Or perhaps not. (Photo by M. Bradley)
The Falcons can’t make the playoffs. You know that already. They can, however, get to 9-7. Which would be huge. But you knew that, too.
Beyond that, I don’t have much for you. Inactives haven’t been announced. The opponent, Buffalo, has 18 men on injured reserve. Brian Brohm is expected to start quarterback, which could make this an all-Petrino day if Matt Ryan can’t go the distance. (Both Brohm and Falcons backup Chris Redman played for Bobby P. at U of L, as you also know.)
Speaking of which: I’ve seen Petrino’s name listed as a possibility for the Florida post. At such times I ask myself, “Who makes these lists?” He’s a good coach who’s bad with people. That wouldn’t fly at UF. He’s never in anything long-term, as the Falcons know too well. The only chance Petrino would have to coach the Gators is if the first 10 choices turned Jeremy Foley down. Which they won’t. It’s the best job in the nation.
Back to the Falcons. Today’s tilt has a consolation-game feel to it. Like many of you, I fully expected this season to extend into the second week of January. (Sporting News had the Falcons playing in for the NFC championship.) I have to say I’m disappointed, but I’m not massively surprised. By October it was clear this offense wasn’t quite what it needed to be, and it was apparent in August this defense wouldn’t stop many people.
So here they sit, 7-7 two days after Christmas. The schedule didn’t help. Injuries didn’t, either. But the cold truth is that they never were as good as we/they hoped. And if they still manage to get to 9-7, I’ll call that good value for an underwhelming season. Not to mention the needed end to a streak that should have never gotten started but has, astonishingly enough, lasted into the 44th season.
With that, I’ll open the floor for discussion. And I’ll be here to entertain comments until the final whistle, which I predict will arrive at 4:02 p.m. EST. And I am, as we know, never ever wrong.
OK, here’s your inactives. For the Falcons: Troy Bergeron, Chris Houston, Michael Turner, Charlie Peprah, Harvey Dahl, Jason Rader and Jamaal Anderson. For the Bills: Who cares?
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733 comments Add your comment
TCCB
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
Hello Bradley!!!!!
jimmy
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
The Girls really look like play-off contenders today. LOL
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
Nice return by Eric Weems.
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
It was boring last week, too, Mark. But it finished in a flourish!! Granted the Birds are whiffing… but a win’s a BIG win for this team, this season. Next week’s game will be even bigger. I’ll see y’all then.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
Almost an interception. Ryan couldn’t get the ball there in time.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
i’ve felt the same way about myself Mark. its not the end of the world.
"BuzzUGA" Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:02 pm
Spurrier built Florida.. Meyer just ran the same offense..
Who would not want to live in Florida? lolololol. Easy Recruiting..
UGA Bulldogs have better NFL Prospects.., but less depth of talent.
They get into more trouble up there than in Florida? lololol
Why they’ve not won more? Who knows?
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:02 pm
Kicking was something we never did because we had Stinky Wintes, one of the best kickers in the state. We was wondering how a kicker could get a head injury?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:02 pm
Bills offside. That helps.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:03 pm
but when one’s employer considers one an idiot, that’s NOT good.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:03 pm
So John Abraham is now tied for 7th on the Falcons’ all-time sack list…
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:03 pm
damn, Chris Draft still in the league?
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
3:03 pm
Alot of teams are laying eggs around the league. Giants are in the playoff hunt and check out that score.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:03 pm
Sacked. Terrible.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:04 pm
Ball on the 27, Bills jump offside … and the Falcons have to go for it on fourth down.
But they make it. Roddy White.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:04 pm
D O in never-never land?
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:04 pm
July 4, 1979… Tommy Rich, Tony Atlas, and some woman who could only be described as “Stockbridge Chic” standing and having a near threesome at the “Buford The Buzzard” Show at Six Flags Over Georgia… It was not pretty…
JTH
December 27th, 2009
3:04 pm
Nice conversion. Glad White is ok.
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:04 pm
ha…
a Madden 10′ 4th down conversion…
what a shame…
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
112 yards now for Roddy White … nice play on fourth down.
Meanwhile...Mr. Wrestling #2 unmasked!
December 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
Should have come on as Mr. Wrestling #1, as the real Mr. Wrestling #2 doesn’t own a computer. Kind of sobering to admit to oneself on a blog that you know that, by the way.
On second thought, Mr. Wrestling #1 has passed on, so even that would be problematic.
SameProblemsEveryWeek
December 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
Offense is still the problem and play calling!!!!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
Falcons not exactly cratering this 32nd-ranked rush defense.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
Falcons need a LT too?
Wow..
They have a tough job this Off-Season.
Maybe, they’ll move LT Baker to to RT spot, but he is not a Strong-side run blocker type..
Dawgs Man
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
Lets just run the same dang play and gain the same thing. Nothing.
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
S.P.E.W….
yep.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
Touchdown. Finally.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
Marty Booker. Good throw there. About time.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
There’s your touchdown, Mark.
Dawgs Man
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
Finally. Who was the GUEST offensive coordinator on that one.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
3:06 pm
It’s good to see Mart Booker get the ball some.
Happy Holidays
December 27th, 2009
3:07 pm
Karma Karma Karma
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:07 pm
Matt Ryan held for the PAT. A do-it-all performer.
OK, that’s it. No way Buffalo scores three times. Can’t imagine the Bills scoring more than once. If that.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:07 pm
Mark, did you notice who held for the extra point? I’m guessing that’s why they didn’t kick the field goal since Michael Koenen is out.
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
I was always partial to Bob Backlund
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
This may be the first fanny pat for Booker this season. Let us know when it happens, Mark.
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
Mark,
I heard you are a finalist for the DC job at UGA. What defensive scheme will you install once you are officially named at a news conference on Tuesday? No one knows how to motivate young men to play hard each week like you and Jeff.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
Never mind. Apparently Ryan was the holder.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
Could be, Reid. Good observation. Or, as we sometimes say in the trade, “ob.”
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:09 pm
My defense will use the seldom-seen 4-4-4.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:09 pm
Except for 5 teams,
The NFL = zzzzzzzzzzzz..
lolololol.
They need “In-Season Curfews” at team head-quarters during the season..lolol.
Kasim Reed
December 27th, 2009
3:10 pm
BEER MAN STRIKES AGAIN!!!
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:10 pm
Beerman kicked off!!!! Give it up for the D-Linemen.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
3:10 pm
Was that Biermann on the kickoff?
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:10 pm
Bierman’s draft profile said that he was a special teams specialist..
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:10 pm
Matt Bryant has a hamstring injury. Good grief. What in the wide world of sports is goin’ on?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:11 pm
Kroy Biermann kicking off … just when you thought you’d seen it all.
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
3:11 pm
And kicking off we have…Biermann?
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:11 pm
This is just ridiculous!!! Not since the days of Lou Groza and Paul McGuire have I seen anything this crazy!!!
Dreman1731
December 27th, 2009
3:11 pm
BEER MAN!!