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
pilgrim
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
Nothing more to see MB?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
Brent Grimes with the interception…
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
Have we forgotten where we were just two years ago?
After 40+ years, the season just sort of all melt into one big conglomeration for me.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
What a play Grimes! He’s showing something…
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
Grimes shows us that he stays for next year, Houston no
JSS
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
On a personal note, the Kennedy Center Honors broadcast this Tuesday on your local CBS station at 9PM ET will feature Dave Brubeck (of the Dave Brubeck Quartet)… Please watch, the DBQ was groundbreaking and performed most of the 1st integrated musical performances in the history of the State of Georgia… Eugene Wright was personal family friend…
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
Why is Bryant still here? Did he injure it today? Calling Catu.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:58 pm
A M told me the only time he ever got mad with you was the time you accidentally called him Rankin.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
3:59 pm
Grimes is small, but he has all the heart in the world.
UGA75
December 27th, 2009
3:59 pm
Just thinking, what about the UTAH defensive Co for UGA. He’s done wonders with not a lot in Utah?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:59 pm
“Mr Charlie,” yes, it happened during the game today apparently.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
3:59 pm
Aaron steckler and Aaron Booker
love these TV guys
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
4:00 pm
So Urban stays, what a suprise…what a headcase.
Meanwhile...one more B Sonny
December 27th, 2009
4:00 pm
Sonny you forgot Bradley on your B list of fanny patties (sp?)
I get the feeling Mark would prefer to leave it at Blank saying “Congratulations” and him retorting “For what?”
No need to mess with tradition for a gratuitous fanny pat, now is there?
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
The only difference between last year and this year was our licking game.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
TV guys not good today?
We newspaper guys are never not good. (LOL.)
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
I became a Falcon’s fan when Tommy Nobis visited my Middle School in Rome, GA and gave me an autograph. I still have it…Hillbilly, drink enough shine and you won’t remember the bad years…when the hangover ends, you get excited about the next party. Same with “next year.” But, with this leadership group we do have real hope
UGA75
December 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
UF Alumni come up with another million, causes less stress, Urban cured
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
Remember when Grimes first came up and he was dropping ints left and right, well, looks like he is learning.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
4:02 pm
Blank on the sideline now. Arms crossed. Very intense.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
4:02 pm
“Grimes shows us that he stays for next year, Houston no”
Bills were avoiding FS DeCoud and CB Owens…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
4:02 pm
You know, we just hit 4:02 p.m. And we’re inside the final two minutes. I won’t miss by too much.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
4:03 pm
We was always suspicious of all those fanny pats from Mr Blank. We was especially surprised to see him give Coach Smith one. Arthur is out there on the field. Let’s see what happens . . .
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
4:03 pm
that’s Mr. Blank to you MB…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
I usually do call him, “Mr. Blank,” truth to tell.
This Gets Old
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
I assume Zero refers to your IQ. Nobody’s referred to you. Mind your own business.
Sonny Clusters
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
“Blank on the sideline now. Arms crossed. Very intense.”
Getting his fanny patting face on . . .
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
Solid game for the home finale.
Have a safe trip, Mark. Enjoy the vacation.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
Drink enough Shine and you won’t remember anything at all!!! Rot Gut!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
4:04 pm
OK, that’s it, folks. Another win for Chris Redman. And one to go to 9-7. Headed downstairs to receive my congratulations from you know who.
Meanwhile...last whistle
December 27th, 2009
4:05 pm
Last whistle at 4:04pm. Not too shabby.
still
December 27th, 2009
4:05 pm
Watching Pittsburg and the Ravens down here. Anyone that says Flacco is better than Ryan is out of their ever-loving mind. He just choked up the entire second half and gave the game to the Steelers. He’s awful!
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
4:06 pm
“So Urban stays, what a suprise…what a headcase.”
Wow..
Was he really sick?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
4:06 pm
I’d think someone was making fun of me if they called me “Mr Blank”…
JSS
December 27th, 2009
4:06 pm
Mark Bradley, Happy New Year!!! Safe journeys…
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
4:06 pm
I realize Buffalo’s offense lacked a starting QB, but the Falcons defense is starting to gel and produce. I hope it happens one more week. Go Falcons!! And happy New year to all!!
MayField
December 27th, 2009
4:07 pm
Urban just had one too many Egg Nogs.
Robert
December 27th, 2009
4:07 pm
New Orleans loses in OT, haaaa
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
4:07 pm
came in late but enjoyed it…dog asleep by me on the sofa. Wife asleep in the lounger…her friend and little girl asleep in the extra chair. Falcons win and i’m heading to the gym. Great Sunday!
still
December 27th, 2009
4:07 pm
OK.. Steelers coach is an idiot. Leading by 3. 1:41 remaining and he calls a pass on first down. Intercepted, but penalty against Ravens gave the ball back to Steelers. Idiot head coach in Steel town.
jamesr1991
December 27th, 2009
4:08 pm
Urban Meyers to take leave of absence instead.
C3 Jim
December 27th, 2009
4:08 pm
Willie, that’s cause you had a habit of shooting “blanks”
ubah
December 27th, 2009
4:09 pm
BUC WIN!!
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
4:09 pm
“Watching Pittsburg and the Ravens down here. Anyone that says Flacco is better than Ryan is out of their ever-loving mind. He just choked up the entire second half and gave the game to the Steelers. He’s awful!”
Big arm QB have the talent, but not so much of the other stuff you need to be a great QB.. Most great NFL QBs don’t have the assume arms now..
Robert
December 27th, 2009
4:09 pm
Tampa game doesnt look so easy now
still
December 27th, 2009
4:10 pm
Saints fans, get out your bags. One and out in the playoffs.
still
December 27th, 2009
4:12 pm
I love it when the Saints fans leave miserable.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 27th, 2009
4:12 pm
BUC WIN!!
Wow
The Falcons won’t have to face Nebraska DT Suh in the division… He seems like he would destroy The Falcons O-Line for years..
Saints pride must have been hurt last week.. They have not awakened.
pilgrim
December 27th, 2009
4:12 pm
They’ve got t-shirts in NO that say, “What Would Breesus Do?” No kidding.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
4:13 pm
Next week, you better eat your Wheaties!!! Tampa Bay is no roll over as many presume!!!