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?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
733 comments Add your comment
Meanwhile...dare I say it?
December 27th, 2009
1:56 pm
I dare say, Buffalo receiver Lee Evans has lost a step since his heyday in Mexico City.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:56 pm
Because Greater Cincinnati Airport is the most expensive place to fly in the USA. I’m not kidding. AirTran doesn’t go there. It would cost $1,600 for the whole family. We used to fly, but not for a while now.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:56 pm
come on. from what you’ve seen in the game so far you could ad lib a column about mediocrity vs mediocrity.
ToccoaBird
December 27th, 2009
1:56 pm
when is TO going to qb? He already knows more than them.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
Lee Evans: World record in the 400 meters in 1968.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
Ouch. don’t blame you. The AJC limo is probably more comfortable anyway.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
That brings me to a question, Mark Bradley…
who has the coolest name in the NFL?
I think it’s “Quentin Jammer.”
Meanwhile...dare I say it?
December 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
I’m afraid to ask where one might place a product named Coy Wire. Very afraid.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
I’d love to see TO at quarterback about now. I’d love to see T.I. at quarterback about right now.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:58 pm
1968 olympics: who were those guys who protested during the star spangeld banner?
JTH
December 27th, 2009
1:58 pm
The D is playing well. And havent been scored on since the 1st quarter of the Jets game.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
1:58 pm
Mark is almost right about Cincy, try flying directly to Lexington…
Tom
December 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
We appear to have a gimpy line judge this afternoon.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
Love Covington, used to be my pit stop on the way to college in Michigan up 75… What is that big Brw Pub on the Hill leading down to the River? The one on the descent?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
tommie smith and john carlos.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
Quentin Jammer is probably the best, Manny. Not as good as Fair Hooker, but good all the same.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
T.I. at quarterback … now that’s funny, Mark.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
this scrimmage is over.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
Oji gettin’ personal…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
JSS, I’m afraid to say the Bradley family doesn’t frequent pubs. McDonald’s, yes. Skyline Chili, yes.
JTH
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
Enough personal fouls guys! Play smarter.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:00 pm
who was bob mathias, and why was he famous?
Meanwhile...dare I say it?
December 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
What about A.I. at quarterback? Him and TO would at least you something to write about.
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
Mark, will you please get word down to the field for the offensive linemen to stop getting 15-yard penalties?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
I hear AirTran will begin flying to Lexington soon. If it hasn’t by now.
ToccoaBird
December 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
JTH, this has been a trying year. But I like these coaches because they never lost their composure, well for the most part. Times are looking up in Flowery Branch.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
isnt “Bradley” Irish. no pubs?
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:02 pm
I believe Iverson played quarterback in high school. About the same time as Michael Vick did back in Virginia. They’re pals.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
2:02 pm
Hey Mark, what’s the story on McKay getting a 5 year extension?
JSS
December 27th, 2009
2:02 pm
John Carlos and Tommie Smith…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:02 pm
Bob Mathias was a decathlete, I believe. Not to be confused with Bob Richards, who was a decathlete and a Wheaties spokesman.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 27th, 2009
2:03 pm
The NFL’s greatest rookie ever has really been tearing up the passing percentage the pass 2 weeks.
JTH
December 27th, 2009
2:03 pm
I agree Toccoa. I cant wait for next year. I’m confident they’ll address their needs, especially on defense and O-line depth.
9-7 this year and no more curse.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:04 pm
I read that on ESPN.com, Manny. It might take five years just to discover what Rich McKay does now. (Hey, it’s a joke! I’m joking!)
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:04 pm
correct on bob mathias. he and his wife starred in a movie about themselves in the 1950’s.
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:04 pm
I can’t get over the fact that Buffalo is without 5 defensive starters, and I thinik another LB was hurt early in this game. Why can’t they move the ball? This is going to be a very conservative and boring game… but, I’ll take the win, for sure.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:04 pm
McKay is in charge of the hammer supply at home depot.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
2:05 pm
I was wondering the same thing…. I hear Urban Meyer just announced he’s changed his mind and is only taking a leave of absence… crazy
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:05 pm
I think “Bradley” is plain common English. It’s the essence of nondescript.
Except for Omar Bradley, the GI general. He was a pretty big deal.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
2:05 pm
Mathis was the first man to repeat as the decathlon champ (London and Helskini
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:05 pm
Chris Owens with an interception.
Manny
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
Well, this Manny is logging off. The Falcons should win this game, but I’m going to Tivo it.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
See what happens when you throw it to TO?
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
Love it! Took the ball from TO. T.O. is right. Not let’s go!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
It’s Grimes world , we just live in it.
Georgia Tech Virgin
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
GREAT CATCH BY OWENS!!
…OH WAIT!!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
You get a TO. Get it?
Tom
December 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
Nice adjustment to the ball, T.O…….NOT!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:07 pm
Tivo this game? Why?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
2:07 pm
GREAT play by Chris Owens right there, taking a touchdown away from T.O.