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
Greg Mendel
December 27th, 2009
2:47 pm
Wonder if we can get in field goal range in the second half. This is a “must-play” game for the Falcons.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
2:48 pm
Yes Willie the “Dean” is gone.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
2:49 pm
So much for you Dog fans writing the epitaph of the Gators!
45ACP
December 27th, 2009
2:49 pm
We need a cage match at halftime featuring the cheerleaders against each other.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:49 pm
such memories: ole, gene and lars anderson. the infernos. the assassins. jose lothario. jack and jerry briscoe. dory and terry funk. and of course the american dream dusty rhodes.
that was real wrestling.
Football Fan
December 27th, 2009
2:49 pm
Mark, at least now you have a chance for another of your 2009 predictions to come true — if UM does quit to take care of his health, then Spurrier can resign from SC…and start round 2 at FLA.
(Enjoy the week off…this game will have to end eventually).
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 27th, 2009
2:50 pm
Mark,
I also preferred the days when you couldn’t spike the ball, or make a forward shovel pass for that matter.
Lots of people don’t remember when there wasn’t a 5 yard contact rule either. If the ball wasn’t in the air, the receiver was fair game no matter where he was.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:50 pm
These dogs could hunt. And catch.
harleyman
December 27th, 2009
2:50 pm
So Urban is gonna be the drama queen now I guess, joining the likes of Favre, Jordan, etc.
Meanwhile...been there done that Sonny
December 27th, 2009
2:50 pm
Chef if Gordon Solie were broadcasting this game, people would be watching. You know Gordon would have worked in the Home Depot angle.
“Schobel and a Falcons lineman going at it, hammer and fist”
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:51 pm
Chef, Gordon was the best at his job. just like Munson, Skip (RIP) and Mark Bradley….
well, maybe not Bradley.
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
2:51 pm
I guess Urbans kids dont get their Daddy back after all.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:51 pm
I was just talking to Zach Klein of WSB, and I noted that we in Atlanta have seen many coaching flip-flips. Bobby Cremins. Glen Mason. Almost Jim Harrick. (Remember that one?)
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:51 pm
Mark, is the food fare leftovers from A M’s Christmas?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
2:51 pm
willie if you like that stuff, check out our web site:georgiawrestlinghistory.com
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:52 pm
Gonzalez has a calf injury. Out for the rest of the game.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
2:52 pm
Curse….
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:52 pm
I guess Tony will forego his shot at the 1,000 reception record. First for a TE!
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:53 pm
Harrick made R Nixon look like he had scrouples.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 27th, 2009
2:53 pm
willie: very accutate comparisons except in pay.
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:53 pm
Roddy wants it. Get him the ball!
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
thanks Chef. i’ll check it out. willie
SRF
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
So is Urban the new Brett Favre ?
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
Kudos to all you who found a way to work Gordon Solie into the blog. The man was head and shoulders above any other ‘rasslin announcer, before or since.
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
Crap — now Roddy’s hurt.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
i thought gonzalez left as a free agent weeks ago.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:54 pm
Not to sound like the judge in “Caddyshack,” but I’m saying to the Falcons … “We’re WAIT-ing”
Manny
December 27th, 2009
2:55 pm
Looked around the league games on Sunday ticket. A lot of games are weird and some are just blowouts (Carolina is blowing out the Giants?!)
Best games are Baltimore/Pittsburgh, Oakland/Cleveland and Atlanta/Buffalo. If the Falcons can get some offense together, they can blow this game out.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:55 pm
Cross midfield. Then punt.
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
This blog has gone to crap — y’all are talking about any but the Falcons. Gordon Solie????
Meanwhile...true story
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
True story. I once saw Tommy “Wildfire” Rich yelling at a Pizza Hut employee “You don’t know who I am? I’m Wildfire Tommy Rich!”
Sad.
45ACP
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
We have a midget for a punter?
Where did that come from?
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
how much time is left?
bigdave
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
Matt Bryant: kicking specialist.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:56 pm
I wouldn’t have imagined a scenario in which the Falcons could be struggling with Buffalo. Then again, I’m an idiot who forgets these are the Falcons.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:57 pm
Michael Koenen has a head injury. Return questionable.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:57 pm
barkin, noboby cares about the falcons.
Falcons are buzzards
December 27th, 2009
2:57 pm
Another ho hum season for the birds of prey.kind of an empty feeling watching a team play thier 15 game of season and out of playoffs.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:57 pm
Sorry, Barkin’ Dog. But this is an awful game we’ve got going.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:58 pm
Mark, after 25 years covering this team how can you not imagine the falcons being able find thousands upon thousands of ways to snatch defeat from victory?
Barkin'Dog
December 27th, 2009
2:59 pm
willie martinez — see ya, wouldn’t want to be-ya! I care….
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
2:59 pm
A sack for John Abraham. Contract drive!
Meanwhile...true story
December 27th, 2009
2:59 pm
Barkin’ even in his “retirement” Gordon Solie is having a better year than the Falcons.
JSS
December 27th, 2009
2:59 pm
Curse!!! Punter, TE, All Pro WR, RB, and cheap shot RG…Wow!!!
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
2:59 pm
is DO Ledbetter asleep?
Reid Adair
December 27th, 2009
3:00 pm
For all of the offense’s struggles, the defense forces yet another three and out.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:00 pm
Because, Coach Willie, I’m an idiot. Like I mentioned.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
3:00 pm
barkin, how much does the university of georgia pay YOU not to work?
best, willie
Mr. Wrestling #2
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
Man this game sux…
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
3:01 pm
Atlanta with the ball at the Buffalo 27. Anything other than a touchdown is unacceptable.