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
JTH
December 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
It was good to see Norwood show some burst on that long rush earlier. It’s best to rest Turner, next week too. Just get him healthy for next season.
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
Through the first quarter the Falcons look good. Ryan looks sharp, the OLine is blocking well, the D has been very stingy, and the play calling has been pretty good. Now can we just make a whole game of this.
lanier
December 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
went to a game in the mid 80s when i bet there wernt 6000. only people in our section were the 4 of us
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
oh, its okay to say the refs suck when its your team getting hosed???
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
OK, some stats: Falcons have gained 500 yards to Buffalo’s minus-50. I just made those numbers up, but they seem accurate.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:44 pm
Mark, me thinks i see a double standard here.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:44 pm
Two fumbles for Ryan. Held it too long both times.
FalconLover
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
Mark.
My son and I met Andre Rison at the old Falcons training facility and he was very nice and cordial. He signed autographs and spoke with us for about 10 minutes—didn’t have to—but he was a nice guy at that time—I always wished him well.
I was really surprised when one-eye or whatever burnt his house down at CC of the S.
jamesr1991
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
spoke too soon
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
Mark, i just checked. those numbers ARE accurate. my abacus says so.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
I would say the -50 for the Bills may be very close to accurate, Mark.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
And a late hit after Roddy White recovers the fumble. Late hit on Tyson Clabo.
Tom
December 27th, 2009
1:45 pm
Dick would be wondering why Lindsey Nelson isn’t working this game, and why Wages isn’t getting any carries.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:46 pm
It’s fourth-and-goal from the 33. Don’t see that often.
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
1:46 pm
Wow, what happened to the OLine those last 2 plays?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
1:46 pm
Ouch. Come on, Tyson Clabo, think about what you’re doing.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:47 pm
And Matt Bryant hits from 51 yards.
Actual total yardage in Quarter No. 1: Falcons 146, Bills 27.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
1:47 pm
Now that was a near disastrous turn of events. Good thing there is a new kicker . . . . . .bad thing is he came 4 or so games too late!!!
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
1:47 pm
Well, I guess it did give Matt Bryant a field-goal try from 50-plus yards.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
1:47 pm
Ah, Harmon…
What terms can I use to describe him that won’t get this post sent to live blog purgatory?
JSS
December 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
Mark Bradley, Has anybody heard from “Bad Moon” recently? And did you ever meet Rosemary while she was alive? Back when I was a PA, I got to have lunch with Annie Ross and Rosemary one afternoon at Mary Mac’s Tea Room… A true delight!
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
i’ll bet you feel 146 years old after suffering through that quarter.
Dawgs2009
December 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
Too bad they didn’t pull the trigger on Matt Bryant a couple of weeks sooner. We could be fighting for a playoff spot today!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
Lindsey was a sharp dresser, the human test pattern.
Ree Roe
December 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
The hell was up with that drive? ATL 10-0
Mark, will you be blogging live from Phillips on Tues for Hawks/Cavs?
-REEcently Roe?
Manny
December 27th, 2009
1:49 pm
The Bills are a mess. They look discombobulated. The Falcons just needs to get out of their own way and they’ll beat the brakes off the Bills.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:49 pm
I never met Rosemary Clooney. But I have driven on Rosemary Clooney Street many times. It’s down by the train station.
Tom
December 27th, 2009
1:49 pm
Mark, I think Scott Blair hit a 49-yd FG on 4th and goal from the 32 in the ACCCG.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:50 pm
I’m off this week, Ree Roe. Assuming this game ever ends. (Sound a little impatient, don’t I?)
Dawgs2009
December 27th, 2009
1:50 pm
The Falcon offense always looks like a bunch of retards running every which way.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:50 pm
that must be a pretty long drive from atlanta to maysville.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:50 pm
That’s right, Tom. He did. And I was amazed. And maybe Paul Johnson was, too.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:51 pm
Another first down for the unstoppable Buffalo club.
Tom
December 27th, 2009
1:51 pm
Chef Tim, the designs in Lindsey’s sportcoats would move with the background as he walked by….like in cartoons.
Mark, Rosemary was quite the looker in her day. Loved her in “White Christmas”.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:52 pm
Mark, if you’re that ready to go, just take a cue from my guys and mail it in.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:52 pm
I always liked Andre Rison. He swears to this day he was better than Jerry Rice.
He wasn’t.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
1:52 pm
Mark, take the rest of the day off, I’ll handle it from here.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:53 pm
er, my former guys
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:53 pm
It’s about eight hours to Maysville. But we go by way of Cincinnati. My wife’s family lives in Covington.
ToccoaBird
December 27th, 2009
1:53 pm
Mark shouldn’t you be in eastern Kentucky covering the whiskey wars?
Dawgs2009
December 27th, 2009
1:53 pm
The Falcons call a Timeout so the Buffalo can regroup and get this first down.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:54 pm
I’m trying hard not to mail anything in, constant references to boredom and the Bluegrass State notwithstanding.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:54 pm
isnt it always the case when you’re employed your phone rings off the hook. and now…
Tom
December 27th, 2009
1:54 pm
Is it bad juju to mention PK’s named Scott while watching the Bills?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:54 pm
why not fly?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:55 pm
And there’s a stop on third down. Coy Wire with pressure.
Coy Wire is a great name. Somebody should market a product named Coy Wire.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
1:55 pm
Never challenge Rison’s manhood while putting groceries in your car.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
1:55 pm
And the Bills punt again. What a surprise.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:55 pm
i thought Kentucky was the bourbon state.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
1:55 pm
It may be just me, but Brian Brohm looks like a young Bobby Petrino in his helmet.