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
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
We was not much into waving when we was in school. Parkview students didn’t have too much rhythm and some would still be sitting while others was standing and it never looked like much. That gave the other teams confidence going against us thinking we wouldn’t have any rhythm either. That’s when we’d throw Stinky Wintes at ‘em. Talk about an end around!
pilgrim
December 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
Jethro Bodine was from Charlston.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
Should the Falcons be concerned about Ryan’s completion percentage? Absolutely.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
Another catch for White … six receptions for 128 yards now.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:44 pm
why risk the face of the franchise? A M should be in a fury.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:45 pm
We think we spotted an eye gouge. Did you see it?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:45 pm
AMB hasn’t yet made his sideline appearance. But we’ve got nine minutes to go.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:46 pm
i guess because the falcons are idiots
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:46 pm
yes, shovel passes, get the completion % up
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:46 pm
“The Longest NFL Game of All Time!!”
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:47 pm
why does every owner feel like they have to imitate jerry jones and prowl the sidelines at the end of the game? ego and dollars i suppose.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:47 pm
is that the 4th reverse/end-around this half???
it worked the frst time, last 3, umm no
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:47 pm
whats the score? my cable has been disconnected.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:47 pm
Oh, that is so wrong, getting better every week? They haven’t played a good QB since Brees… Good QB’s wear that secondary out!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:48 pm
It’s 24-3, Coach. About to be 31-3.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:48 pm
Mark, i’ve got the car warming up. dont be too long.
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
3:49 pm
the way kickers have performed all year i wouldnt be surprised if 4th down attempts are up next year…
the video game approach…
lol @ the aints…
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:49 pm
Tampa New Orleans 17-17 late in the 4th
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:49 pm
Our Place kicker is training for the Tour de Georgia!!! RIP
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:50 pm
let D O write the game story. it doesnt deserve more than one writer from the paper working on it.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:50 pm
Touchdown to White. Nothing wrong with that throw.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:51 pm
Roddy White, great catch
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:51 pm
Roddy White with his second touchdown catch of the day … now eight receptions for 139 yards and two scores.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:51 pm
Bryant for the PAT.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:51 pm
Mark, you were SUPPOSED to make sure the car was gassed up. now i’m freezing in the parking lot.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:51 pm
Mr Blank has a fanny pat quota to fill. Leading contenders today . . . Booker, Biermann, Babineaux, Baker, Bergeron, and Brock. Anybody else there whose name begins with a “B”?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:52 pm
Can we leave now? this party’s over.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:52 pm
Sonny, yes: Bradley
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
3:53 pm
After that drive, Matt Ryan is 18-35 for 250 yds. and 3 TD. That’s a 103.3 QB Rating.
Take away the first play TD pass and he’s 17-34 for 208 yds. and 2 TD. That’s an 88.8 QB Rating.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:53 pm
We was thinking that . . .
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:53 pm
Feel free to take your leave, folks. There’s nothing more to see here.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:53 pm
that was a drive…Birds are going to be fine and heading in the right direction. Have we forgotten where we were just two years ago?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:53 pm
and Bryant.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
I cant leave you with no ride home.
This Gets Old
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
Gonzales out, ball goes down field. Any lessons there?
ubah
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
saints kicker just missed a short fg that would’ve beat the Bucs. Wow, going to OT
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
Whenever the Falcons win, AMB does usually tell me, “Congratulations.” And I usually say, wittily enough, “For what?”
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
“C3 Jim,” it would certainly seem that some people have forgotten the disastrous state the Falcons organization was in justwo two years ago.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:54 pm
Bierman does it all….just 40 yards too late…thank goodness for a flag
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:55 pm
Sonny, is it time to say wait’ll next year yet?
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
3:55 pm
Another 4th Quarter TD pass……As I said all season, Saints will be one and done.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:55 pm
Maybe its your uncanny ability to tell the score…
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
3:56 pm
What happened to our kicker?
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
3:56 pm
We was told Mr Blank might be wearing some new shoes today. Cleats on some nice wingtips. Check ‘em out and let us know, Mark.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:56 pm
and there’s no use offending the press.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:56 pm
Mr Charlie, Michael Koenen suffered a head injury on the last play of the first half when Buffalo blocked a field goal and was lateraling all over the field, trying to score.
Matt Bryant apparently has a hamstring injury that prevents him from doing anything but trying extra points.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:57 pm
“Gonzales out, ball goes down field. Any lessons there?”
Who do you think you are?
You’re not a owner, coach, GM, or QB!
lololol
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
3:57 pm
It’s that Grimes man again!
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
3:57 pm
Don’t look know, but Grimey is looking like a real corner.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
CB Chris Owens = 10-6