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
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:24 pm
Around the NFL, how do you think that Carolina beating is being absorbed by the fans in East Rutherford?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
3:25 pm
JSS: Doing TV shows and POSSIBLY returning to wrestling with TNA.
On the latter I doubt it, Bill’s set and quite content.
45ACP
December 27th, 2009
3:25 pm
Somebody tell us where Goldberg is.
Last I saw he was in an action movie several years back, I think.
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:25 pm
Nothing makes a defensive guy play hard, in a meaningless game, except for a GM and HC who will cut you if they see you slack off in these last two games.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:26 pm
There goes the shutout. Not that it matters now.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:26 pm
I can’t imagine Giants fans are very pleased with that score right now, Mark.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:26 pm
Giants started 5-0 and are going to miss the playoffs.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:27 pm
Well, I’m glad the Bills kicked the field goal to end the shutout, rather than trying to score a touchdown.
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:27 pm
Waiting for Blank to make his grand apperance on the side any minute now.
Austin Idol's Las Vegas Leg Lock
December 27th, 2009
3:27 pm
Just another in a long list of late season whacky Falcons games.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
3:27 pm
trying to talk anything but wrestling here. Check out the site before our host bans me for shilling.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:28 pm
Mark, the world’s largest baseball bat is in KY if you get a chance. They is a huge coffee pot there and Colonel Sanders grave. Much to be seen in KY.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:28 pm
I will already concede defeat. This game will not end at 4:02 p.m. We’re still in the third quarter.
Meanwhile...Mr. Wrestling #2 unmasked!
December 27th, 2009
3:28 pm
Bill Goldberg? Now if he had played on the Falcons at the same time as Harvey Dahl, that would have been a REAL Pier Six Brawl!
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:29 pm
I would not be surprise if the Falcons trade Snelling to another team for a second round pick in the upcoming draft. We need some taller DBs.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:29 pm
They showed Mr Blank just now and he’s up to something . . .
Dragin' Fly
December 27th, 2009
3:29 pm
Goldberg’s hosting “Bullrun” on the Speed Channel.
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:29 pm
should have been running the ball all game, instead of trying to showcase Matt Ryans “golden arm”…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:30 pm
I once saw Col. Harland Sanders in person. In a hotel lobby. He looked just like his picture. And he was lickin’ his fingers.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:31 pm
Haven’t seen any finger licking since Bobby Cox. Wait, that’s not fair . . .
ubah
December 27th, 2009
3:31 pm
Mark — now I want some chicken. Thanks.
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:31 pm
There’s nothing in KY except for Jed Clampett and Granny pass around that moonshine jug with the “XXX” on the side.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:32 pm
Chef… It is why I asked if you wanted to take the question… He’s also still pitching a couple of Indie movie deals… And there is ventures with commercials in Japan…
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:33 pm
Pitchers and catchers report February 18.
Big Dawg
December 27th, 2009
3:33 pm
Carolina is thumping the Giants 41-9.
45ACP
December 27th, 2009
3:33 pm
Mark – I hope to attend a Kentucky Derby someday.
Is it really the way it appears on TV? Money, money, everywhere?
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:33 pm
i bet Booker has never been on the receiving end of a reverse…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:34 pm
Not in the infield it isn’t, 45ACP. It’s more like a rock concert.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:35 pm
what % does a reverse actually work?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:35 pm
Zero percent when Mike Mularkey calls one.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:35 pm
Say what you like, Buffalo’s D hits! When they are around someone!
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:35 pm
They should have let Biermann try a field goal right there … with somebody else on defense holding.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:37 pm
24-3 is great, but is anyone else worried that Ryan is 13 for 30???
his completion % all year is way down
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:37 pm
Matt Ryan is 13 for 30 for 204 yards, of which 42 came on the Falcons’ first play.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:38 pm
Fans are doing the wave. Sonny Clusters always loves a good wave.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:38 pm
Mark Bradley, How old were you when you stopped hanging out at Derby Week festivities?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:38 pm
Biermann tackles T.O. for a four-yard loss. The guy can do it all.
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:39 pm
Robert…
no secret that Ryan has looked like ass all year minus a couple games…
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:39 pm
so take that play away and he is 12 for 29 for 152 against 4th and 5th string DB’s??
ouch
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:39 pm
Roughly 28, JSS. When I moved to this fair city.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:40 pm
Not many people know that Dairy Queen has the Candy Cane Chill Blizzard on special this month. Just a few more days to get one.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:40 pm
anyone for some Redman??
why play Ryan anymore and risk injury
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 27th, 2009
3:40 pm
Big Dawg
The Clampetts were from the Ozarks, which aren’t in Kentucky.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:40 pm
And the defense forces the seventh punt of the day for the Bills.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:41 pm
Sam Baker has a hamstring injury. A tough day on hamstrings.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:42 pm
i’m concerned with his completion % but think that we’ve lost so many weapons that A) options are limited B) Run isn’t setting up the pass C) He’s still throwing off a bad back foot C) the whole team has been hit with his sophomore curse
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:42 pm
Robert…
Been screaming about Ryan’s completion percentage all year… But that is considered being Anti-Ryan and a Ryan Hater in most parts…
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:42 pm
not like Baker was playing well anyway, he too has had a big 2nd year slump
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:42 pm
Ryan is still in, Robert. And he throws on first down. Why, I have no idea.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
Ryan to White…now that is a QB