The Falcons can make the Super Bowl: Do they know that?
"Stand aside, striped stripling! I'm bound for glory!" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The bye week arrives at a propitious time. The Falcons are 5-2, owners of the NFC’s best record. (The Giants would likewise be 5-2 if they beat Dallas tonight.) They’ve done good work. They’re capable of better.
The bye week brings time to refocus and recalibrate. Everything the Falcons believed about themselves when they reported to training camp has been borne out: They are indeed a massively gifted team. We saw as much Sunday when the Bengals brought a bunch of brand-name players — Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Adam “Pacman” Jones — to the Dome. The Falcons built a three-touchdown lead, tossed it away and then surged backed ahead by two touchdowns.
And therein we bore witness to both the Falcons’ inherent potential and their one liability. They’re good enough to beat anybody, but sometimes they don’t seem to grasp how good they can be. Oh, they talk about it. They pay lip service. But I’m not yet sure that there pulses within this team the rock-solid belief — as opposed to the suspicion — that its manifest destiny is the Super Bowl.
New England bears that belief. Pittsburgh, too. But those teams have been there and won it all, and the Falcons have graced the game with the Roman numerals only once, and that was four coaches ago. The Falcons are 25-14 under Mike Smith but haven’t yet won a playoff game, losing at Phoenix in January 2009 as a road favorite. And for all the fine players imported by Thomas Dimitroff — Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Mike Peterson, Dunta Robinson — not one of them wears a Super Bowl ring.
And that’s really the only flaw I see. This offense is capable of great things. This defense is getting better as it goes. (Yeah, Palmer threw for 412 yards Sunday, but that can happen when a team gets that far behind.) My issue with the Falcons isn’t what they can do but in how often they do it. They played wall-to-wall in the signature overtime victory in New Orleans. They got away with a half-effort against San Francisco. They didn’t get away with it in Philadelphia.
To me, the game that still resonates was the opener in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were without Ben Roethlisberger and still carried themselves as if they expected to invent some way to win, which they did in overtime. The Falcons messed around and managed not to score a touchdown. Yes, the Steelers can play some D, but still … no TDs for the offense of Turner and Gonzalez and Roddy White and Matt Ryan? Seriously?
What needs to happen over the bye week is that these Falcons look both without and within. Check around the NFC and they won’t find one team with more talent. Those touted most in preseason — Dallas, Minnesota, Green Bay and New Orleans — have all wobbled. The Falcons have climbed to 5-2 and have already played their most difficult road games. They’re not just playing to win the NFC South; they’re playing for the No. 1 seed.
And that’s the reason for the look within. The Falcons have to say, “We’re doing this.” Not: “We can do this.” They already know, or at least have reason to suspect, they can. The test now is simply to do. No more slack Sundays. No more sluggish starts with a blocked punt thrown in. Only big-time professional football from here on, the kind the Steelers and the Patriots play as a matter of course.
This doesn’t mean the Falcons can’t lose another game. They probably will. (Baltimore at the Dome on Thursday night — tough duty.) What it means is that the belief/expectation needs to grow within the complex at 4400 Falcon Parkway that this is now the home office of a fully expectant champion.
Mike Smith has a Super Bowl ring from his days as a Baltimore assistant. He should pass it around and let his men assess its size and importance. Because these Falcons could all be wearing such a ring very soon. Their sin would be in waiting too long to grasp what’s at stake. This team is good enough to be playing in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 6, 2011. It absolutely is.
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279 comments Add your comment
elvisaintdead
October 25th, 2010
9:09 am
MB, lay off the booze before posting. helps me, too.
ATLien
October 25th, 2010
9:14 am
very nice, MB. But I hope they don’t know it… sometimes ignorance is bliss (not to mention it keeps the focus on just the next game and keeps the pressure down)
lee
October 25th, 2010
9:16 am
any of you overpaid bozo’s have anything clever to say about deangelo hall today??? anybody??
hejustwenthome
October 25th, 2010
9:18 am
Wow, 1-2 against teams with winning records (easily should be 0-3), and they can make the Super Bowl? NFC is awful.
Senoramigo
October 25th, 2010
9:20 am
The falcons are one short, speedy slot guy from being a top 5 offense. Roddy White looks like a superstar!
Reid Adair
October 25th, 2010
9:21 am
Well said, Mark. I don’t know if a team can truly “know” something like that, though, until they have experienced it the first time. I doubt New England or Pittsburgh “knew” it before they went for the first time (with semblances of their current rosters).
TR
October 25th, 2010
9:25 am
If you think the NFC is awful hejustwenthome, take a gander at the AFC. Atrocious!
ATLien
October 25th, 2010
9:26 am
hejustwenthome: In case you didn’t realize, one team goes from the NFC. Therefore, by your logic, it’s even easier for the Falcons to go to SB since all they have to do is win an “awful” conference.
Falcons All Day
October 25th, 2010
9:27 am
@ lee
Why would we or the MB have anything to clever say about D hall? We know hes good, there is just something wrong going on between his ears.
ATLien
October 25th, 2010
9:27 am
I”m just glad to moron went all “First” on us!!!
ATLien
October 25th, 2010
9:28 am
“no” moron, that is
Jason
October 25th, 2010
9:28 am
Lee – I’m not overpaid, but the only thing you need to remember about DeAngelo’s performance is that it came against the Bears, a team that can’t protect their quarterback. Oh, and it also helps that the Bears’ quarterback is prone to interceptions and dumb plays.
It’s telling enough that DeAngelo hasn’t put stats like that up against anyone of significance. 4 INTs is a great game, but it doesn’t suddenly validate Hall’s career or put him on the road to Canton.
ATLien
October 25th, 2010
9:28 am
Lee has been waiting 2 years for that comment…
Falcons All Day
October 25th, 2010
9:30 am
Lol ATLien!
Jason
October 25th, 2010
9:34 am
Well, no offense to Lee, but my gosh, if one game were all that mattered, then Kenny Britt is the greatest receiver in the history of the NFL…
WCJ
October 25th, 2010
9:36 am
MB, what team in the NFC stands in the way of the Falcons getting to the Super Bowl from your point of view?
Tweets that mention The Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that? | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 25th, 2010
9:37 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and ajc sports editor, Ron Smith . Ron Smith said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: The Atlanta #Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that? http://bit.ly/aqUzin [...]
Falcons All Day
October 25th, 2010
9:41 am
I believe the falcons can go 8-1 the rest of the way. Im only worried about is the Ravens. We will have to play a really good D on 4 days rest. As the weeks go by the Saints are becoming less of a threat.
The Grinch
October 25th, 2010
9:43 am
Not mentioned is that this team was without Weatherspoon, Robinson or DeCoud (and Coleman is a significant downgrade at safety) yesterday. Michael Jenkins has also been out all but one game. We were also raped by the officials on that early fuble recovery for a touchdown. After the bye if we’re at full strength and the confidence is high, good things will happen. This team doesn’t lose games the old fashioned Falcons way.
gdg73
October 25th, 2010
9:44 am
The NFC is there for the taking. The defense didn’t look that good in the second half. Much of that can be attributed to the team playing without 3 key starters (Robinson, Weatherspoon, and Decoud). Just look how good this offense is when Roddy is the go-to guy. He loosens up the opposing defense with his playmaking ability. Go to him early and often and watch this offense take off. I believe Mike Smith got up close and personal with Mularkey after last week’s offensive debacle. Even Roddy said on Sirius last night that they made a conserted effort to push the ball downfield. Me and other fans have been calling for Mularkey to lose the conservative playcalling and do just that. It finally sunk in and we put of almost 40 points. Get healthy during the bye week and continue to feed Roddy when we come back in two weeks. That along with solid defense will guarantee us the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
Josey Wales
October 25th, 2010
9:44 am
Has anyone seen “SeenThisB4″? Saints dismantled AT HOME by CLEVELAND. Yes, we have seen that Saints team B4.
Josey Wales
October 25th, 2010
9:46 am
Maybe the local media panel will now vote to enter DeAngelo Hall into our Ring of “Honor”.
norman
October 25th, 2010
9:55 am
Whoa, Bradley- First you predict UGA to beat Florida. Now, you are saying the Falcons are going to the Super Bowl! I can’t wait for your next prediction. The Braves are going to the World Series next year?
Arno
October 25th, 2010
9:56 am
16 – 1 at the dome is a pretty good identity.
Josh
October 25th, 2010
9:56 am
This team is finding ways to win NFL football games. If the offense plays the way we did today for the rest of the year and the D can get healthy and back to the form of weeks 1-5, then its going to be trouble for the rest of the NFC. We should get DR and Spoon back after the bye. Those 2 additions have made all the difference and it has showed the last 2 weeks.
I know its a little early but give us home field advantage in the playoffs, and we can be playing in the big dance.
The Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that? | Mark Bradley – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) at Satellite Broadband Internet
October 25th, 2010
10:01 am
[...] The Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that? | Mark BradleyAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)This team is finding ways to win NFL football games. If the offense plays the way we did today for the rest of the year and the D can get healthy and back … [...]
AtlByrdsfan
October 25th, 2010
10:01 am
I was at game… Flying high in the rafters of the Dome, felt a little nauseated during the 3rd quarter on-slaught, but left a winner (the team)… That’s the life of a Falcons fan but I’ll take a ‘W’ anyday.
Roddy is beasting…! Unbelievable 1st TD catch… He was coming our way and I saw that Roddy didn’t look for the ball until the last 15 yards of it being in the air. Great agility in turning, locating the ball and making a wonderful bobbling catch. (It’s the reason I believe he bobbled the ball anyway.) Honorable mention… was the catch he pulled off his shoe tops plays before he fumbled, ARGH! Roddy must have deserved the raise he held out for last year; I would agree.
DEFEND THE DOME!!!!
hejustwenthome
October 25th, 2010
10:05 am
AFC awful, really? Pittsburgh, Jets, Ravens, Colts, Pats, easily better than any NFC team at the moment.
Don
October 25th, 2010
10:05 am
I am waiting for a Bradley 8 reason why the falcons won’t squander this lead any day now.
FrontRow
October 25th, 2010
10:10 am
4-4 on the road, 8-0 at home gets you in the tournament. The Ravens don’t scare me; they almost lost to an 0-fer team.
Falcons need 2 more on the road but the next 2 are at home….DEFEND THE DOME!
Kelvin
October 25th, 2010
10:12 am
Mark, I have been saying since the end of last season that the Falcons are going to the Super Bowl this year. This is a very good team. Some of the fans are slow to embrace this team because some of them ( a small but loud minority) are still stuck on Vick and refuse to embrace the White QB. That’s unfortunate, because Ryan is getting better each season and I think by the time his career is done he will have won multiple Super Bowl titles for the Falcons.
Crimedog
October 25th, 2010
10:12 am
The Falcons certainly have a better chance than the Crimedogs winning the SEC East.
hejustwenthome
October 25th, 2010
10:14 am
I’d still put Philly and GB ahead of ATL at this point. Watch out for the Redskins late in the season, McNabb and Shanahan will only get better.
Falcons are doing what they need to do to put themselves in a good position, but they need to go on the road against a top opponent and win. And don’t give me the Saints game, look at what Cleveland did to them yesterday. I’m just not sold on them after the Philly game. Lose close OK, but get blown out and your the best in the NFC?
But I will say this – Roddy White is one of the best receivers in the league if not the best. Where would the Falcons be without him.
lanier
October 25th, 2010
10:16 am
Dumbist blog ive ever read. There has got to be something better
Hammer This!
October 25th, 2010
10:20 am
Been reading the dictionary again, Mark? propitious
Athens Mike
October 25th, 2010
10:20 am
@Lee,
If you are referring to MB as overpaid, then you don’t know much about the newspaperin’ business.
Are you kidding?
October 25th, 2010
10:22 am
Lee are you trying to imply that we should have kept hall, and he is the top corner in the league? No one is arguing his talent, athletically he is one of the best players in the NFL. It is his mental game that is the problem; can you say NUT CASE!
PMC
October 25th, 2010
10:24 am
Man… Mark. Can we go one win without talking about the freaking superbowl?
Can they sure? They are as good as anyone in the NFC all around game to game. They STILL haven’t executed really well throughout a full game except for the Arizona win.
Yesterday was a great start for the offense can they build on that in the bye week? Can they get healthy on defense? This defense can stop the run, but they still tackle poorly at times and they can get absolutely torched in thier zone coverage if they don’t have everyone healthy. The pass rush is still very spotty. They have made strides this year already no doubt but let’s win the division first before talking about the game that comes at the end of the tournament.
I hope they can continue getting the ball to Roddy like they did yesterday. They are going to have to throw the ball to set up the run.
Johnny3Steps
October 25th, 2010
10:25 am
IF Matt Ryan and Turner take charge from now on………..we could make it. But I have seen no consistency yet in those two,so I would not get my pom poms out yet.
Ted M
October 25th, 2010
10:26 am
Finally they looked good. They haven’t looked good since week 2 against Arizona. That’s a long time.
Lets hope they keep it up.
Wanda
October 25th, 2010
10:27 am
FALCON’S SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!
PMC
October 25th, 2010
10:28 am
I’m disapointed with the Philly loss but not crushed. I don’t think for a second that the Falcons can’t play them again and beat them in the playoffs especially if they can get home field advantage. That’s what the Falcons are playing for right now. Home field. They really need to keep winning and lock it down to have the best chance.
Dave
October 25th, 2010
10:29 am
@lanier – comment posting 101 – if you are going to call something “the dumbist”, you should really make sure you don’t make one of the “dumbest” spelling mistakes ever.
FrontRow
October 25th, 2010
10:30 am
Fans at the stadium need to learn a little more about backing the team:
1. Don’t do the wave when your team has the ball. Kudos to the AJC for not publishing a picture of that like they did after the AZ game.
2. The turnstiles are crowded at 12:55. Forego the last tailgate beer and get your tail in your seat.
3. Plenty of opportunity to get a beer in the 2nd quarter. There is no excuse for the stadium being half empty on the opening kickoff and during the (entire) 3rd quarter.
Naysayers want to point out the team’s shortcomings. The team is fine – the hometown fans are – at times – pathetic. If you want to stand in line and badmouth the team then just stay home or go to the mall with your wife.
Double Zero Eight
October 25th, 2010
10:30 am
They won’t make it unless the secondary improves. Kolb looked like a pro bowler and Palmer threw for over 400 yards. They will lose in the second round of the playoffs without considerable improvement in the secondary.
waynester
October 25th, 2010
10:30 am
MB and Kelvin
Wow, you guys are upbeat and positive–and I hope you’re right–but this team still has some major vulnerabilities. They’d better not start thinking they’re “all that” but follow Smith’s mantra of staying “humble but hungry”. We saw what the other kind of thinking got us in Philly. The coaches’ jobs just got a lot harder–trying to keep everybody grounded and out of trouble over the break. Don’t sleep on some of our future opponents, either. It’s not just the Ravens that we have to beware–Tampa is playing well, GB is still a force to be reckoned with and even Carolina plays good at home. I am convinced that we have the team to beat all our remaining regular-season foes IF we stay focused. C’mon Coaches…let’s fine tune this thing over the next 2 weeks and come out firing on all cylinders for a change!
Reality Bites
October 25th, 2010
10:31 am
As of right now, 32 teams can reach the SuperBowl, but do YOU know that?
Are you kidding?
October 25th, 2010
10:33 am
I agree that defensive injuries made this game closer than it should have been.
Did Arthur have a stern talking to Mularkey or what? Play-action on first down, unbelievable.
I believe that Coach Smith is the key to the rest of the season. He must walk the line between keeping the team excited and confident, and having a case of the Cowboys.
Impressive display by Roddy and the entire offense. Now they need to come back from the bye and play Tampa like they have something to lose.
Reality Bites
October 25th, 2010
10:35 am
Right now 32 teams can reach the Super Bowl, but do YOU know that?
One Nation Under educated
October 25th, 2010
10:35 am
Falcon Super Bowl, UGA beats Fla? Wow, Mark, the only pander bigger than that is the one in the Atl zoo. Sorry, but the big teams (Philly, Giants, etc) man-handle the small built teams like the Falcons. And its back to reality for the dogs. But we can dream for 5 days, I guess.
FalDawg
October 25th, 2010
10:35 am
Falcons can do it…just 1 concern..pressure defense’s seem to give Matt Ryan trouble..ie pittsburg,philly..if they can figure that at out,the sky’s the limit
Crabkilla
October 25th, 2010
10:36 am
Falcons All Day – I think we can win all remaining games, but I doubt that will happen. You can’t overlook the Bucs, Packers, or Seahawks. Lets not forget the Saints are a pretty good team too. Tampa gave us a time last year and we often struggle down there. Aaron Rodgers makes that Green Bay offense dangerous and with Clay Matthews healthy, our offense could have problems. Lets hope Matthews gets that positive test result we all know he is capable of. As far as Seattle, they appear good again and it seems we lose to them everytime we have to fly out there. I think we drop 2 more.
Roddy White was absolutely sick on Sunday! He is top 3 in the league right now. Glad I could see that in the Dome.
JSS
October 25th, 2010
10:36 am
Well geez, I heard that heroin sales had the suburbs big time… The other teams in the NFC mix who might be there opponents only have to look at the SF and Philly game tapes to see how it is done… That Dome does scare anyone with a deep passing game even with Robinson and DeCoud…
blord
October 25th, 2010
10:42 am
I passed on Roddy White in my Fantasy Football draft and took Larry Fitzgerald instead. I am an idot.
Sid
October 25th, 2010
10:44 am
propitious
[pruh-pish-uhs]
–adjective
1. presenting favorable conditions; favorable: propitious weather.
2. indicative of favor; auspicious: propitious omens.
3. favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive: propitious gods.
Allright, upgraded my vocabulary today……………..!!
**************************************************************
World English Dictionary
Super Bowl
— n
American football the main championship game of the sport, held annually in January between the champions of the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference Champion Atlanta Falcons
Tami
October 25th, 2010
10:44 am
I still believe they need to get better on pass defense. And Ryan & his receivers need to get better at passing accuracy. And…they need to beat the big teams (ahem….e.g., Philly. Oh…and Tampa Bay is rising again & will be their next opponent, can’t overlook ANY division rival for that matter….Green Bay is coming up in about a month) as well as the teams on the schedule they’re expected to beat. They don’t really have an easy schedule, although it could have been worse. I’m not a “glass-is-half-empty” sort of person. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
I will say that the boys are improving rapidly & in dramatic fashion. They need to allow themselves to begin believing in themselves without underestimating their opponents. Tough to do, but they can do it.
Birdgang
October 25th, 2010
10:45 am
Preach “Front Row”!!! I can’t wait for the wave to die…This Falcon fan actually asked me to sit down, said that he couldn’t see. I said “We are at a football game right”, turned around and continued to wave my flag. We have to make more noise while the D is on the field, especially on third down. I looked around on 3rd down and several falcon fans are sitting down and saying nothing. Rise your a$$es up!!!!
The fans need some type of chant, that F-A-L-C-O-N-S thing is laaaaame!!
Saabotager
October 25th, 2010
10:46 am
Hold your horses kemosabe. Indescretion is the better part of valor. We don’t need the Falcons drinking their own kool-aid, which they did when the Bengals mounted that comeback. It’s more impressive to see points score by the birds in the second half. If they (Falcons)can overcome the stupidity bug when it comes to senseless turnovers, they are definitely contenders. Go Falcons!!!!
Sid
October 25th, 2010
10:46 am
lanier
October 25th, 2010
10:16 am
******************************************************
…….sharpen up your pencil my friend and commence to adding something ……………(something intelligent Please)
crackbaby
October 25th, 2010
10:46 am
Mark – Falcons COULD get to the Superbowl but to expect it is premature and unfair. The team lacks depth particularly on defense. Let’s face it, this 5-2 team could easily be 3-4. Opponents get too many big plays. The Eagles are by no means a Super Bowl team and they just beat the snot out of Atlanta last week.
On the plus side, Roddy White is having an MVP year. Yesterday, Vance Walker (V-Dub as Wes calls him) stepped up big on the interior D line. You just can’t have too many good D linemen. The “hands team” did a great job on that last onside kick, too.
GO FALCONS!
Sid
October 25th, 2010
10:48 am
Tami
October 25th, 2010
10:44 am
**************************************
Tami, right on sister……………..shout it from the mountain tops
Chris
October 25th, 2010
10:48 am
slow down a tad Mark, Tampa Bay right on our heels at 4-2 with Arizona this week…
Will
October 25th, 2010
10:48 am
hejustwenthome- Balt. had to go to OT to beat BUFFALO. Indy has NO DEFENSE. We’ll see if the Pats can make it last all season. AFC is great if you only look at Pitt.
Dawglasville
October 25th, 2010
10:51 am
Did you see the dancing going on the Bengals’ sideline when they went up by one in the third quarter? It looked like a big party. Then the Falcons put the wood to them. I wouldn’t look for Roddy White on MTV but you might see him in the Super Bowl. The working class people of Cincy deserve much more than that carnival. It would be great to see a few more #84 jerseys around town.
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
10:51 am
I don’t know about you guys, but I saw the speed we needed to turn the corner with the pitch-out to Gartrell Johnson the Falcons newest addition…anybody else notice it?
Will
October 25th, 2010
10:52 am
Crackbaby- With all due respect, I don’t think you see the fact that ANY NFL team can beat another team on any given day. Look around the league. The fact is we’re 5-2 & we’re a good solid team. No doubt.
NOT YET
October 25th, 2010
10:52 am
The Falcons are a good team and they’re well on their way…but GREAT teams don’t squander a 21 point lead. The Falcons are not yet a great team.. They still play not to lose instead of playing to win…We still have some serious issues on offense. No doubt that Roddy White is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but he needs a solid #2 guy to help spread the opposing defenses other than Gonzalez…it says a lot about your offense when your Tight End has more receptions than your receivers. Also, we still don’t go deep enough. Defenses are able to play up close because of this forcing Roddy white to have to catch the ball within twenty yards and then fight for the rest of his yardage. Mularkey needs to open the play book…Baltimore’s defense is gonna have a field day with this offense if we don’t start using those plays with slant routes for example and our other receivers getting open…also….our O-LINE still needs work…the game of football is won at the line of scrimmage. Great teams understand this concept and work towards it. The Falcons are still learning this….don’t believe me??? Ask philly when they blitzed matt ryan like crazy and their defensive front push around our O-line like ragdolls….
Sid
October 25th, 2010
10:54 am
I am not a Meangelo fan but 4 interceptions and one a pick 6, pretty impressive. Although I don’t think Cutler is much of a QB, pretty difficult to throw from your back. Anyway, congrats to Hall, as much as I hate to say it.
Give Me a Break
October 25th, 2010
10:54 am
You are a hack…Dawgs beat Uf gaters and Falcons in the SuperBowl. The secret is to exaggerate and say something over the top.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 25th, 2010
10:55 am
Untill the Falcons improve the WR postion they will not get 2 the Super Bowel. They cant reley on Roddy White ever game. Tony G is over the hill and we all no Jenkins is a fist round bust. The Falcons had there chance 2 get TO and blew it. Did you see the TD TO got yeseterday? That could have been 4 the Flacons.
dobearsbare
October 25th, 2010
10:55 am
Had to look up “propitious”. It basically means favorable. As in, “conditions are favorable”. As in Magic 8 Ball. Which I guess is as good a way as any to predict the Falcons going to the Super Bowl. Yes, they’re talented. But they still have nine games to play, which means there are an infinite number of variables — many of them unknown — that will affect their season. I enjoyed the win yesterday. I’ll reserve the gushing for when they earn a spot in the NFC Championship game.
senior falcon
October 25th, 2010
10:56 am
As someone who has been with the Falcons since game one(some of you weren’t even born. or whelped)I just take pleasure in a good team that is among the best. Go Falcons!
ChippersLoveChild
October 25th, 2010
10:56 am
The Packers still worry me… despite all of the injuries they’ve had, they’ve still managed to go 4-3 and their only losses have come in overtime and in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. If a little luck had gone their way they could easily be 7-0. Once some of the guys they haven’t lost for the season get healthy, and they add Harris and Bigby back to their defense, I still think they could be scary good. I think it comes down to Atlanta and Green Bay when all is said and done.. but the Falcons look solid.
juice sourcer
October 25th, 2010
10:58 am
The Falcons are good enough….the main reason is that there is no great team in the NFC…it’s wide open with probably 8 teams with a shot from just the NFC.
Will
October 25th, 2010
10:58 am
Bengals can keep TO. I don’t want him. He’s a cancer.
realitycheck
October 25th, 2010
10:59 am
The defense is getting better? Are you watching the same games I am? How about Smith’s team can win their first playoff game this year as a more reasonable prediction. Are you just trying to create enthusiasm for your blog?
Spell checker
October 25th, 2010
11:00 am
I’m what Joe Tess Fish House doesn’t have, and needs–badly!
Greg from Marietta
October 25th, 2010
11:04 am
Say has anybody seen “SeenThisB4″ lately? It seems old “It Is Our Time” has all but folded up the chairs and gone home. Pretty much the way his Saints did against Cleveland. Now its time to “Rise UP!” and Go Falcons. I hope the entire team reads this article by Mark Bradley it actually makes a lot of sense. It is almost like the Falcons haven’t bought in they they are as good as they are. For inspiration they should watch the Navy vs Notre Dame game and see what belief in yourself can do for a team. The Midshipmen believed that they could win and win they did.
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:04 am
Wow you sneak by an overrated Bengals team, now your headed to the Superbowl !!!! Your defense is ranked 25th , this vagabond group is going nowhere, the NFC is a joke this season. Name one solid NFC team that has shown up every Sunday this year. If Marvin Lewis had any brains he would have shoved Benson down that scrub defense’s throat yesterday. You have to be an idoit to get outcoached by Mike Smith.
ohmy
October 25th, 2010
11:06 am
let’s just take it one game at a time shall we…in the meantime, my favorite plays yesterday all involved adam jones: the roddy white take-away for a td and the prissy dance, the white td a little later, but most of all the weems hit near the end that crossed pac man’s eyes for the rest of the game
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
11:07 am
What are you people talking about? “Cincy comeback” give me a break….if you take away the 14 points from the 2 TURNOVERS……you people keep saying the Birds are not a great team yet…New England didn’t look like a great team yesterday against the Chargers…this team can stand their own against any team….so get off that crap
Keith
October 25th, 2010
11:07 am
NOT YET, well said…I agree with you totally..You my friend know the game of football..When are the Falcons going to see that for themselves? After another first round playoff loss? The only thing that can carry us the big game at this point is our running game and it’s hard to run with 8 and 9 guys in the box on just about every down. Life long Falcon fan…Go Birds!!!!
vafalconfan
October 25th, 2010
11:07 am
The bungles are a mess as always..let’s keep this win in perspective.
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:07 am
Cleveland 30 aints 17
God has smiled upon us………………!!
Frank Lloyd Wright Table and Chairs
October 25th, 2010
11:08 am
It was just a week ago that Bradley had dumped on this team.
Pete
October 25th, 2010
11:09 am
Super Bowl………………….really…………………..with THAT pass defense ??
You’re kidding, right ??
Our midget CB’s are the “achilles heel” of this team. They stop NO ONE.
You don’t go to the big dance with NCAA Div.II level CB’s.
Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:09 am
Idiot is what I meant. Oh yeah Matt Ryan & Carson Palmer are both scrubs @Will any fool who would rather have Michael Jenkins over T.O. is the same reason the Falcons have never been to a Superbowl haha lol !!!!
michaelgee
October 25th, 2010
11:09 am
The jinxs on.
MB, any mention of the SB just put the kiss of death on the birds. Gee thanks Mark.
Greg Mendel
October 25th, 2010
11:13 am
I think Mark is right about the importance of the team’s mindset, and the “team” includes the coaching staff. Against the Bengals, we finally saw some aggressive play-calling. Roddy White’s day wouldn’t have been so magnificent if Ryan hadn’t thrown those long passes. The coaches need to know the skills exist, believe in them, and use them wisely. In today’s NFL, predictable, conservative play may be as much of a gamble as taking calculated risks.
Ryan had good protection on Sunday, and it gave him confidence, which showed on the scoreboard. In my opinion, we still have weaknesses on defense (weak pass rush and vulnerable secondary), but encouraging an attacking offense is playing to our strength. Encouraging the defense to be opportunistic will build its confidence and compensate for vulnerabilities.
Of course, injuries change everything. I don’t think Sunday’s game would have ever been close with Weatherspoon and Robinson in the game. The value of some players is more obvious when they aren’t in the game.
JoeFan
October 25th, 2010
11:14 am
The Falcons are a fortunate team here or there that goes the other way and they are 3-4 instead of 5-2. At beast without any breaks the Falcons will go 10-6 but likely will be 12-4. They seem to have the magic this year and that may be enough to get them to the Super Bowl. They want to it on talent alone.
Give Me a Break
October 25th, 2010
11:14 am
Who said “TIME TO DIE”?
Will
October 25th, 2010
11:15 am
Wash in ATL- I see you’re a Vick fan. I’m glad ConVick is gone too.
james
October 25th, 2010
11:17 am
So I was watching Tony Dungy and the former Patriot DB (his name escapes me) on NBC last night. Both were lamenting that the NFC was not up to par, that 5-2 records was the best any team in the NFC could muster and who was going to rise to the top?…and so on. They talked about Tampa Bay, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, but our Falcons did not even enter the conversation, no mention of them whatsoever! At first I was annoyed by this and wondered what NBC’s beef is with Atlanta, but then I just accepted the fact that THEY tend to not show much respect for the Falcons and continue to overlook them and that’s just how its gonna be. Flying under the radar and catching the National media completely off guard after they’ve racked up an 8-2 record is actually OK with me. I just wish the media could actually find it within themselves to objectively report on the facts every now and then.
I'm just sayin'
October 25th, 2010
11:17 am
Wash in Atl: Can I get starch in that? And btw, the Falcons HAVE been to a Super Bowl. haha lol to you, too.
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:17 am
Hey aren’t you the same guy who wrote the article “8 reasons the Braves will win their division” when they had a 7 1\2 game lead over Philly. Now you have the nerve to mention the Falcons & Superbowl in the same breath WTF hahaha LMAO !!!!!
Un- fair weather fan
October 25th, 2010
11:17 am
Hope does indeed spring eternal here at the Mark Bradley column.
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:18 am
@ Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:04 am
*********************************************************
Interesting you point that out………….Guess who finished last year 25th in Defense…………yep, that’s right your Super Bowl Champs.
Cleveland 30 aints 17
Ya gotta love it…………!!
Un- fair weather fan
October 25th, 2010
11:20 am
I sure do hope you’re right and I’m wrong, Mark, but until I see evidence that the Falcons can actually show up – let alone win – on the road in the Northeast, count me out as a believer in this Falcon team’s Super Bowl chances.
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:20 am
Oh yeah my bag you talking bout when they went to South Beach to cruise the strip !!!! Your right I meant to say won a Superbowl !!!!
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:20 am
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:09 am
**********************************************
You need to type a little slower dumb ass.
Look up the history of the Super Bowl, you just might find the Falcons somewhere
Fred in Columbus
October 25th, 2010
11:21 am
The Bengals ineptness reminded me very much of some Falcons teams of the not to distant past. We got it going on now…
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:23 am
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:20 am
******************************************
You’re bag? We ain’t talking golf here or do you have a hold of some of your private parts?
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:23 am
The Saints may be Champs but they are not mine, I’m from DC so you know how many rings we have
james
October 25th, 2010
11:24 am
So I was watching Tony Dungy and the former Patriots DB (his name escapes me) commentating on NBC last night. Both were lamenting the lack of a premiere team in the NFC, how 5-2 records was the best any team in the NFC can muster and about who may rise to the top in the end. They talked about the Giants, Seattle and even Tampa Bay, but our Falcons did not even enter the conversation, not mentioned whatsoever! At first, as I always am, I was annoyed by this. But then I just accept the fact that the National Media just doesn’t respect the Falcons and may just not consider Atlanta as a bona fide NFL city. Ultimately, I’m OK with this: I am perfectly fine with the Falcons flying under the radar, unnoticed on a National level until we rack up an 8-2 record and they FINALLY realize that something great is happening here. I just wish these elite pundits could somehow find it within themselves to actually report the facts as they are every now and then.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 25th, 2010
11:24 am
How hard would it be 2 trayed 4 Matt Shaub? We could get him and another WR for Matt Ryan and Jenkins.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 25th, 2010
11:25 am
You have rings from sittin on the toilet seat Wash! LOL!
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:25 am
Whatever Sid Falcons are Scrubs & always will be, talk to me when you get a ring !!!
Will
October 25th, 2010
11:25 am
Yeah the Skins’ are stout this season LOL
DawgDad
October 25th, 2010
11:27 am
Best chance they have of reaching the Super Bowl is nailing down homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Playing on the road in the playoffs against a good team – sure they have a chance, but that’s a long shot at best.
Until they prove otherwise I still say on paper this is a 10-6 team. Right now they are where they want to be, leading the Division and sitting atop the NFC, but after watching the Philadelphia game I’m inclined to believe the Falcons are NOT the best team in the NFC. I’m a Falcon fan, and this season has been and promises to be a lot of fun to follow.
DeAngelo Hall is no longer a Falcon, and that’s a good thing.
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
11:29 am
We haven’t reach the half way point yet and you people are talking about a SB…the Birds are taking it a game at a time the way it should be done….another thing you don’t show your complete “Playbook” this early in the season…and yes you do need some Luck or breaks… what ever you want to call it….the Bills stayed step for step with perhaps the best team in the AFC yesterday…but Balt. pulled out the win…was it luck? against a winless team….tell me if I’m wrong….
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:31 am
Why do you guys keep bringing up the sorry behind Saints, who cares about those scrubs as well.
Un- fair weather fan
October 25th, 2010
11:31 am
Well, whatever happens one thing’s almost a certainty now: the Falcons get their 3rd consecutive winning season, just after getting consecutive winning seasons for the 1st time. That’s good.
Zoomie
October 25th, 2010
11:32 am
When the Falcons show they can hold their own against teams like Philadelphia, I’ll entertain the notion. The Falcons coaching staff seems to game-plan fairly well. When the opposing team shows something new, they break down like a Yugo and can’t seem to adjust. The Falcons O-line is handled in way too many games. The predictable, soft backfield defense is too often leveraged to the opponents’ advantage. Fix these things, the birds may have a chance. As it stands, they may win their first playoff game this year, but won’t progress any further.
timthebrave
October 25th, 2010
11:34 am
If we get home field advantage then I think we can go to super bowl. I just don’t think we are good enough to go on the road and win in the playoffs. Go Falcons
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:35 am
Wash in ATL
you got a ring?
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:35 am
Wash in ATL
your a peeshwank, just like Seen
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:35 am
You guys may hate DeAngelo, but he is better than anybody you have playing pass coverage. Hey is Erik Coleman still laying on the ground, after getting ran over by old man T. O. lol
Ed Haire
October 25th, 2010
11:38 am
I have been a Falcon fan all my life and remember all the lean years. Now we have a great GM in TD and a very good coach in MS. Our quarterback may not light it up every game but when it counts he always comes thru! Ryan will only get better and Turner is hitting his stride.
The defense needs to regroup and they will! I don’t care what all you naysayers say, 5-2 is great! I will continue to live and die every Sunday with my Birds. Enjoy where you are and remember Fame is fleeting, just ask New Orleans.
If you are not a Falcon fan then find somewhere else to post! This is a Falcon site and we love our Birds!
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:40 am
You guys are making me laugh with all the Haterade you’ve been drinking down here. DeAngelo gets 4 pics in a game & you still say he is no good WTF. I guess that oompa loompa Brent Grimes is going to lead you scrubs to a championship lol
C
October 25th, 2010
11:43 am
Can’t we all just appreciate watching a good football team that hopefully will become a great one over the next couple of months? just enjoy it! Watching meaningful games in December is all any pro football fan can ask for and it looks like we are on the way to seeing that.
Go Falcons!
Tweets that mention The Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that? | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 25th, 2010
11:44 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Fantasy Tackles, Martell Thornton. Martell Thornton said: The Falcons can make the Super Bowl: Do they know that?: (Baltimore at the Dome on Thursday night — tough duty.) W… http://bit.ly/bL1U7h [...]
5150 P.O.A.D
October 25th, 2010
11:44 am
Mark What are you trying to do? KILL our Chances? LOL
Falcons showed some Balls in that game? After coming out of the locker room flat, running like 8 plays in the 3rd qtr., and losing the lead. The Falcons didn’t become the Falcons of OLD. They PLAYED FOOTBALL.
ohmy
October 25th, 2010
11:45 am
send dhall down here so smitty can work him over again
Rudy
October 25th, 2010
11:46 am
Lets put it this way we have a better chance than the Redskins making to the Superbowl and even with MeAngelo Hall’s 4 interceptions they only one by 3 points thats not saying much. Hall is a good CB his issue has always been his big mouth…one good game does not make up for the rest of the crap he does….
Bradley Markson
October 25th, 2010
11:46 am
J’boro Slim… Saw what you saw. During the run, I said, “I thought Norwood was hurt!” After the run, I realized it wasn’t Norwood when he got up and wasn’t limping! Hope we see more of him after the bye, maybe “Malarky” will have time to plan him into the offense.
Rudy
October 25th, 2010
11:46 am
Won….sorry
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:47 am
This is not a Falcon site this is the AJC newspaper Duhh wake up buddy. When someone says the scrub Falcons are going to the Superbowl I’m gonna say something, by the way you scrubs are only a game ahead of my Redskins, since we supposedly stink so bad.
ATL Observer
October 25th, 2010
11:50 am
Good column Mark, it speaks to an underdiscussed but ultimately intangible quality: that “it” factor that championship teams inexplicably seem to exude. I’ve never seen any Falcons team (even the 1998 squad, for all 16 of their wins) project that aura, but this team could be moving in that direction.
There’s something to be said for when the Pats walk out on the field…even after they take a hard loss (they took a few last year), they’re still the Patriots. They still seem daunting. I talked to a lot of Bengals and 49ers fans, for e.g. that just weren’t intimidated by their team’s prospects vs. the Falcons in the Dome at all. Even though recent history and the odds certainly didn’t favor their team, there was still this idea that “oh, it’s the Falcons…and they’re totally beatable.”
Right now, I’d take the Giants and Philly over Atlanta in the NFC. Agreed with the previous poster that the Redskins could be the sleeper team. The NFC East just always seems to be tough. I’m not sold on anyone in the NFC North or West though.
Worst I can see out of the Falcons down the rest of the line is 6-3. That would put them at 11-5 and if the aforementioned teams do a good job of beating each other up, as they say– anything can happen in the tournament.
Hammer This!
October 25th, 2010
11:51 am
Why is DHall’s mother on this site?
chipload
October 25th, 2010
11:52 am
Yeah! D-Hall and Jay Cutler’s joint offseason workouts paid off yesterday.
All I'm Saying Is...
October 25th, 2010
11:53 am
WHY NOT THE SUPER BOWL? WHY NOT THE FALCONS?
SEIZE THE DAY!
LET’S GO FALCONS!
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
11:53 am
Bradley Markson
Yeaa the Falcons just aquired Johnson about a month or so….the guy got speed…and it looks like the coaches are working him in slowly……Bradley I guess you and I are the only one who saw that
mountain_jim
October 25th, 2010
11:54 am
That bomb to Roddy was a play-change by Ryan in the huddle. Mularkey did not call it. Maybe Smith helped Mularkey to decide to give Ryan more leeway, and I agree Mularkey called a better game by far than Philly. But it’s time to let Ryan run the game like Peyton, Mularkey needs to come up with more play varieties from formations where the results are nearly always the same and expected.
If the play-calling, whether from Ryan or from Mularkey, continues like yesterday, Falcons have a shot at greatness. If Mularkey reverts to his Philly calls and lack of imagination, Falcons defense is not good enough to overcome an underperforming offense.
Here’s hoping they continue to let Ryan change the plays and give him more variety of plays to work with, That rollout pass play finally worked!
juice sourcer
October 25th, 2010
11:54 am
“There’s no really good team in the NFC” …a quote this morning from Peter King…he has the Falcons the top team in the NFC at # 7 with 6 AFC teams ahead of them.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/10/25/monday-morning-quarterback-week-7/2.html#ixzz13O0j3hUX
Wash in ATL
October 25th, 2010
11:54 am
@Hammer This I bet you play ” To Legit to Quit ” on your way to & from work everyday LOL !!!!
ShempHoward
October 25th, 2010
11:55 am
The Falcons FINALLY have enough talent to win the superbowl this season. Arthur Blank will finally get the George Hallas trophy and the Vince Lombardi trophy for winning first the NFC championship game and then going on to win the superbowl this season. I see noone out there who can stop the Falcons. The best three teams in the AFC, Jets, Patriots and Steelers cannot stop the Falcons either. Big Red will finally get it done.
BlahBlahBlah
October 25th, 2010
11:58 am
The Falcons’ three hardest games (Baltimore, Green Bay and NO) are all at home.
Vegas will probably have them favored in the other six games (home/away against TB and Carolina, at Seattle, at Rams.
Nothing in the NFL is a guarantee. But that is a very favorable schedule for a team looking for a division title and a first round bye.
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
11:59 am
Mark Bradley
Quit looking ahead writing about the Falcons going to the Super Bowls…the team is only 7 games in…. I’m sure you can find something else to write about hanging around the locker room
Terrell
October 25th, 2010
12:02 pm
hejustwenthome
You’re right we could be 0-3 against teams with winning records but we could be 2-1 as well.
AFC was the better conference last year and what happened in the Super Bowl? I could care less about who is “better” in the regular season. We’ve saw the Steelers and the Giants both win the Super Bowl as wildcard teams, so lets talk about who’s better when the playoffs start.
Falcon57
October 25th, 2010
12:03 pm
@ JONESBORO SLIM, Gartrell isn’t that fast. If you want to see speed they need to run the same play with Antone Smith. This dude can fly. I’d also like to see him on kickoff and punt returns. He’s a replica of Leon Washington in Seattle. They are both FSU alumni.
ohmy
October 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
as a challenger to the nfc’s best–beat the eagles in philadelphia and you have arrived, lose and you have not. philly is the nfc’s benchmark team. while it is possible to get to the superbowl and even win it, this does not put an team/organization in the same class as pittsburgh, new england (ex: who dat?) or even philadephia. there are no more benchmark games left–not even GB–there are however, several more to play and win. contender status is built on consistent winning over many seasons not just two. GO FALCONS!
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
12:06 pm
@Falcon57 you may be right….but really I don’t care ask long as both are on “Team Bird”…thanx
JONESBORO SLIM
October 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
@ohmy lets see Pitt lose to Balt and Balt just got pass the Bills….New England just got pass the 1-6 Chargers….quit drinking the ESPN and NFL channel Kool-Aid …those people there guess just like you and I….have a GOOD DAY
moorman
October 25th, 2010
12:14 pm
falcons, and superbowl?
NoleinDC
October 25th, 2010
12:16 pm
dang mark, how do explain the near meltdown by the defense yesterday? this is is good, but not great…the saints are better IMO so are the eggles
Mark Bradley Needs to Stop Making Predictions
October 25th, 2010
12:17 pm
I am just so sick and tired of Mark Bradley’s premature conclusions and predictions.
I think Mark does a disservice to the Karma (whatever little of it) that flows through Atlanta sports. You come up with these grand statements of how the Dawgs, Braves, Falcons, Jackets, Hawks have what it takes this time, that even though people dont believe, Mark Bradley believes and therefore they will win the title.
The Falcons at 5-2 are a solid team, but to say they are the best team in the NFC doesnt mean that much because the real super bowl contenders lie in the AFC this year. Everyone knows this.
I try not to get frustrated with the comments on this blog, but Mark, you are a writer, and I expect more from you. PLEASE STOP THE GRAND CONCLUSIONS. You are usually wrong.
Let the teams play it out!
Are you kidding?
October 25th, 2010
12:18 pm
Can everyone on here please stop talking about how the Falcons could easily be 3-4. They are not 3-4, they are 5-2; the Cowboys could be 5-0, but they are not. The Falcons lost a tough one to the Steelers, and had a terrible game against the Eagles, other than that they have held serve.
FrontRow
October 25th, 2010
12:21 pm
Philly game-planned very well against the Falcons – play the same plan and I doubt you get the same results; Philly got creamed trying to run the same gimmick 2 weeks in a row.
And – yesterday’s Falcon’s game was a double a$$whipping.
4-4 on the road, 8-0 at home gets you in and probably gets you a home game or two.
ReddJonn68
October 25th, 2010
12:21 pm
I for one will not get caught up in the hoopla early on, we have a lot of work to do if we want to be the team we are really capable of being. That effort we gave that first game in Pittsburgh, kinda set the tone for the rest of the year. I saw an earlier post that stated that N.O. had the 25th defense yet won the Superbowl. That may be true, but I don’t think we want to be that lucky, & go into the playoffs with that type of defense. We are almost halfway thru this season, we know there is room for improvement, all in all I have to give our team a B grade so far, because I don’t think we have yet to reach our full potential. I do like the direction Smitty has this team headed in, barring any major injuries we should be in the mix come post season. We need to set the tone because nobody is setting the pace in the NFC this year. Go Falcons !!!!!
Dontavius Supremo
October 25th, 2010
12:21 pm
That’s the great thing about the NFL – no artificial polls, no nonesense, just on-field action. If the Falcons make it to the Super Bowl, they make it on their own dime. if they don’t, it’s “see you next year”. No arguments, no opinions, just actions.
Mark Bradley Needs to Stop Making Predictions
October 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
This is what Mark Bradley says to himself before every prediction article he writes: “Well lets see here, the (insert Atlanta team) are pretty good, but if I, MARK BRADLEY, write a whimsical and disjointed piece about some random point (ie “do the falcons know they can reach the super bowl), then THEY WILL WIN, because I am am Mark Bradley and I am the maker of fortunes in Atlanta”
Newsflash: The Falcons dont need you to tell them they can win. They have an awesome coaching staff and GM, great players, and they are motivated enough.
The omniscient, allmighty Mark Bradley who uses his intuition of the spirits to predict that all Atlanta teams will win the title
CurlyHoward
October 25th, 2010
12:25 pm
Mark Bradley: Good article as always. The Falcons should be looking ahead and looking forward to the superbowl because they are good enough to play in it and it would be a mistake to NOT focus on it so that someone else will get in who doesnt deserve to get there. I think the final piece to the puzzle for the Falcons was adding Tony Gonzales, the nfls best-ever tight end. The Falcons havent even used Gonzales much this season and they have the conferences best record at 5-2. The Falcons have not peaked yet and I believe if they do, these Falcons can be at least as good as the 1998 dirty birds team with Jamal Anderson, Tony Martin, Eugene Robinson, Chris Chandler and the organizations ONLY superbowl team. I believe the Falcons will get to the superbowl, but will they beat the team on the other side: Steelers, Jets, Ravens, Colts or Patriots. I know the Falcons are at least as good as all of them and this year represents the Falcons best chance at GLORY.
jtdawg
October 25th, 2010
12:30 pm
lee -
I have something to say about Meangelo….
The only one in the league today with more arrogant stupidity than Meangelo is Jay Cutler….
I bet you would be hard pressed to find one person who didn’t think Meangelo is very talented.
Those 4 ints make up for none of the useless touchdowns he’s gotten burnt by becaues he thinks he’s better than the system and team for which he plays…..
Good riddance to an arrogant brat. Better their headache than ours….
Josey Wales
October 25th, 2010
12:31 pm
MeAngelo could’ve waved his arms for a fair catch on a couple of those picks. They were right to him. Is Meangelo still carrying Steve Smith’s golf bag?
ReddJonn68
October 25th, 2010
12:34 pm
Interesting article Mark, but all real NFL fans know there is a lot of football left to be played. That hoopla stuff may be fine in NY, for the Jets & Giants, but let’s try to remain grounded & focused here in Atlanta.We have a solid young newcleus that will only get better with time.
Josey Wales
October 25th, 2010
12:37 pm
This could be the year we see an all New York SuperBowl
yo mama
October 25th, 2010
12:48 pm
Wash in ATL and Joe Tess Fish House didnt graduate from high school, they recieved their state of Georgia GED’s. They are that stupid. Folks, the Saints won a Super Bowl with the 25th ranked defense. Their D cranked it up a notch in the playoffs, which in fact they had home field advantage throughout. So, its a page the Falcons can take, with playoff prep games at home, against TB, Ravens and GB. stay focused, put on your blinders, don’t look ahead, take it one week at a time.
The Falcons have been here before, twice with Jim Mora, and last year we sat on four wins, for a long time, and got our fifth win against the redskins last year, only to falter in late november and early december. Getting home field throughout the playoffs is critical. The falcons would have defeated Philly with home field in 2005, and would have played the Patriots in Jville. So, get rested, learn form
yesterday, and move on to TB in two weeks. Just FYI, the saints fall to 4-4 sunday night on Halloween, and what would you know, Cinderella showed up at the party as Lady Nada, meaning not happening again. Geaux Falcons!
JeanE
October 25th, 2010
12:49 pm
Mark, very astute asessment and right on the money. What holds this team back sometimes also, is the crappy playcalling. It was better Sunday and in the 3rd Quarter, the “nightmare” quarter, we briefly reverted to form. That being, grind it out football with no imagination. Let’s hope we learned the lesson, finally and don’t repeat ourselves that way. Defense still worries me but with Dunta coming back and ‘Spoon, it should hopefully improve. Go Falcons.
tell it like it is
October 25th, 2010
12:49 pm
mark—thats your behine talking,your head knows better!
chipload
October 25th, 2010
12:55 pm
The real Super Bowl contenders lie in the AFC? Ummm, only one of them can go to the Super Bowl…see that’s how it works. One team from the AFC and one team from the NFC.
I think it’s been pretty clear this season. Any given Sunday. It’s a matter of who shows up and plays their best, who game plans the best, and most of all…who stays healthy. Why not the Falcons!
ctfalconsfan
October 25th, 2010
12:59 pm
I think it’s way to early as we need to finish the second half of season which we haven’t done very well lately:
05′ – started 6-2 finished 8-8
06′ – started 5-3 finished 7-9
07′ – let’s just not speak of this year
08′ – started 5-3 finished 11-5
09′ – started 5-3 finished 9-7
So only once in those 4 years have we actually finished the second have of the season stronger than the first half.
The nice thing is we still have 2 games against the Panthers, 2 against the over achieving Bucs, 1 vs Rams (5 wins) and by the time we play the aints they will be talking about rebuilding for the 11′ season.
Damage Inc.
October 25th, 2010
1:01 pm
My friend Fish Eyed Joe proves once again that the only thing worse than his spelling is his football savvy. Why in the world would we trade Ryan you BAFOON
mcarroll
October 25th, 2010
1:05 pm
I’m worried about Matt Ryan…
TXDawg (76002)
October 25th, 2010
1:05 pm
I’ll be here waiting on in February Dirty Birds!!
I’ve already told these Cowboys fans the might as well pack their season away and watch a real team (Falcons) play because that’s who’ll be taking over their home come Feb 6th.
tell it like it is
October 25th, 2010
1:07 pm
Chipload–why not the Falcons? Well lets start with the eagles and the giants and GB.And remember the saints,they will challange before the seasons over.
Hollywould
October 25th, 2010
1:07 pm
Roddy White has the best hands in the NFL. Even on the slant after the 40 yarder he fell down, looked up and still caught it. I haven’t seen him drop one all year. Sure, the Falcons have a chance to go to the Super Bowl but so do 5 or 6 other teams. Bye comes at a good time. Robinson, Spoon, Decoud all should be ready as Erik Coleman just does not have enuf speed to be deep. I like our chances just as well as anybody. And by the way, “WAR DAMN EAGLE”
Bluto
October 25th, 2010
1:07 pm
Fishy Joe also thinks T.O. had a better game than Roddy White.
Uh oh you called him a name now he is going to cry to Mark B to protect him from the mean men.
MississipiDawgFalconFan
October 25th, 2010
1:13 pm
Oh I am so sick of hearing: “yeah but who have we beaten”, “or we could easily be 3-4″, or “gosh I wish we still had Vick and Hall”…Here are facts -.7 games in, best record in NFC, which is stll a part of the NFL…(”Any given Sunday” as they say) A win is a win…I know Dallas, MN, SanDiego and other “would-be contenders”, would love to trade records with us. Also we are undefeated at Home and have already played 4 road games….New Orleans has already lost 2 at Home – they would also love to trade places with us. Go Falcons!! – it all about the “W”s…keep em coming.
Eyore
October 25th, 2010
1:20 pm
Oh well… time to call my bookie and put money on the Falcons to tank. I’ll probably lose money on the odds now that Mark Bradley’s said they’re good enough to win.
YES 2 SUPER BOWL BUT FALCANTS LOSE N THE IN
October 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
DONT HAVE ENOUGH TO COMPETE WITH NEW ENGLAND AND PITTSBURGH!
MoeHoward
October 25th, 2010
1:29 pm
All the praises and accolates are GREAT for the Falcons and I wish them well. Tell me though, what the heck happened in the third quarter of yesterdays game when the Falcons went totally dormant and totally flat dead and did absolutely nothing. THEY ALMOST LOST THE FREAKIN BALLGAME BY A TOTALLY LETHARGIC THIRD PERIOD. ITS UNACCEPTABLE AND I WONT TOLERATE IT. What happened to ALL-WORLD PRO BOWLER RODDY WHITE in that third quarter when he made a reception, FUMBLED THE BALL and then watched Adam “Pacman” Jones take it to the house for a touchdown. THE FALCONS ACTED AS THOUGH THE GAME WERE OVER AT HALFTIME, DIDNT SHOW UP IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND TRIED TO COAST TO A WIN. As professional athletes, that practice wont be tolerated by this organization. When the Falcons fell behind 25-24 and realized that they were going to be embarrased on national tv, they finally woke up and started playing Falcon football again. Nobody wants to see a ROLLERCOASTER team, up one minute, down the next. I ONLY ASK FALCONS THAT YOU PLAY FOUR QUARTERS OF FOOTBALL CONSISTENTLY. THAT IS ALL I AM ASKING FOR.
Paul
October 25th, 2010
1:41 pm
The Falcons can beat the Ravens. This team plays very well at home under Mike Smith. Also, Ray Ray is getting old, and won’t be wearing a fur coat and brandishing a champagne bottle.
LarryHoward
October 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
Whats amazing about these falcons is that they are totally unfazed by adversity. When the Falcons found themselves down 25-24 late in the third quarter, I gave up on them and thought they would lose 50-24. I missed the remainder of the game and didnt even know they had won it. I literally WALKED OUT THE HOUSE BECAUSE I HAD SEEN ENOUGH. When you have a lead of 24-3 at halftime when that lead could have been 31-3 except the refs stole a touchdown away from us when they took away a td that should have been kept, you start to feel that the game will be an automatic “W”. I WAS THINKING WE CAN SCORE AT WILL AGAINST THE BENGALS AND WE WILL BURY THEM IN THE SECOND HALF. I WAS SHOCKED IN THE THIRD QUARTER when the Bengals took it to the Falcons and almost rammed the W down the throats of the Falcons. This current group of Falcons, though from the owner (Arthur Blank) the the head coach (Mike Smith) are TRUE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITY and I felt as though the Falcons would eventually wake up and get the job done. I had no faith in them, but they proved to me that they were a championship calibre ballclub.
ss
October 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
A strong defense will give this team a tough time later in the year, but the schedule is weak, so that may not happen.
The falcons will struggle with any NFC east team due to the fact the defense’s in the NFC east are a lot more physical than what their use to seeing in the NFC Nascar divison.
The team is off to a nice start, but keep playing well.
It will be a good super bowl regardless as long as the jets and cowboys dont get there
Fight songs in the NFL are ghey
October 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
And the Redskins have one…….End of discussion.
Nate
October 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
I dont see anything wrong with believing that this team can be in the Super Bowl. No matter what happened in each game, we are still 5-2 and have a very favorable schedule the rest of the way and I am confident that they can turn it on and gain homefield advantage and make a run to the BIG GAME… I hate hearing Falcons fans with doubts… If you don’t believe that your team is good enough to win a Super Bowl, why are you cheering for the Falcons. Anything can happen… It’s the NFL. With that being said, I agree with you Mark. FALCONS RISE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kapoonka
October 25th, 2010
1:46 pm
I seldom overtly cheer for the Falcons, but they got me yesterday. That was a great game….mostly since they recovered from the 3rd quarter debacle. I still question the play calls at times. When something is working…stick with it!!!..Roddy manhandled them. I guess the only fear is a major injury. Turner did exactly what he was supposed to do..run folks down.
Damage Inc.
October 25th, 2010
1:48 pm
Prevent Defense + Turn over = Bengals back in game. I love Smitty but he REALLY loves him some prevent D. You need to put your knee on the back of their neck when you have the chance. In the real world nice guys finish last.
Football Bat
October 25th, 2010
1:50 pm
@ctfalconsfan: good analysis (something MB won’t do in puff pieces). LOL at the ‘07 crack!
@MB: Look, we get that you spend all of 10 minutes coming up with these silly concepts instead of doing any actual research or analysis (although you are 5-2 on your season prediction). They don’t need to think Super Bowl when they’ve not gotten to the dance yet.
1. WINNING THE DIVISION, as it should every year, which means beating Tampa in two weeks, period. We haven’t even tested their chemistry yet.
2. WIN home field advantage by winning the “could wins” which means the Ravens at home, which we have a good shot at if our DB’s can show up.
Falcons are 4-0 in games they should have won and 1-2 in games they could have won. That places them in the NFC South driver’s seat, and yes they should acknowledge that. Looking past Tampa/Ravens week is going to be a huge mistake. If we lose those two, you will look like a fool.
GO FALCONS!
Josey Wales
October 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
LarryHoward??? Do you mean Larry Fine?
LukeWilson
October 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
Ray Lewis literally WILLED the Ravens to victory yesterday. Ray physically and completely wrestled the ball away from a defender like a snake spewing out its venum. RAY LEWIS PLAYS THE GAME A MILLION MILES FASTER than anyone else on the football field. What an amazing football player Ray Ray is and his legacy and greatness is completely unparalled and unchallenged.
Atl king
October 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
The falcons are alright, but hold the superbowl parade. They are 5-2 and could easily be 3-4, if not for a missed 29 chip shot by the saints and nate clements (trying to go deion sanders) and fumbling the game winning int. The defense is not superbowl caliper. 412 yards to carson palmer who has been playing awful all year.
Chucktown38
October 25th, 2010
2:14 pm
I have been a falcons fan for 35 years. I have seen some really good teams underacheive over the years, but none like this.Our currents players are having to over come talent from other teams and they have to over come our coaching staff Brian and Mike M. The melt down in Sundays 3rd Qt is on the coaching staff lax play calling and bad play calling on our D.How can BVG leave our secondary out there like that while not giving help with pressure from a blitz.There is a reason why Mike M was fired as a head coach and a reason BVG has never had a top D in his career in the NFL.The man made a name for himself as a college coach at GA.Mike Zimmer is a better D coach than BVG any day of the week.This will be just like every other falcons team from the past they give you hope, and then find away to fumble there way out of the play offs.The talent we have needs better coaches than what we have given them as fan we desirve better. Some of you will settle for beating a OK Bungle team Sundays., a badBrowns team, a Ain’t team that isn’t the team from last year,a sorry 49ers team,and a cards team that just doen’t work well together. Until we can compete and beat to top teams in the NFL I will not settle for what we are given.The same old same old year after year. I want more I want to dominate teams that should be dominated and compete with and maybe beat the better teams.So you settle for beating the bad too OK teams and tell yourself is OK when we lost to better teams. I can’t look at things that way.Ask yourself how are things to get better if you don’t demand it. I will not buy anymore tickets for an underacheiving team with bad coaching.Fire away falcons excuse makeers!!
Chucktown38
October 25th, 2010
2:17 pm
We need coaches with lead feet! Foot to the floor with no letting up!!!
Super Flying Falcons
October 25th, 2010
2:22 pm
The WHO DAT are becoming the WHO DON’TS. The AINT’S are comming back.It’s the Falcon’s time to rule the NFC SOUTH.
Birddawg24
October 25th, 2010
2:24 pm
the birds might make it to the superbowl but, peyton . brady -or schaub will pick the defense apart.but it sure would be nice for them to get there, but i hate the disapointment.
Bradleyisalwayswrong
October 25th, 2010
2:30 pm
Well, this should do it. If Mr. I Can’t Write Very Well thinks it will happen, that does not bode very well for the home team. Bradleyisalwayswrong has earned his title very well over the years.
Bradleyisalwayswrong
October 25th, 2010
2:32 pm
Seriously, members of the Bradley blog fan club, is there any sport that your hero really has an expert insight? Any sport?
MississipiDawgFalconFan
October 25th, 2010
2:32 pm
Why isn’t anyone talking about how “lucky” Pittsburgh is? (OT vs Atl at home and the horrible call in Miami) or the Pats for that matter…b/c good teams find ways to win in this league – Atl is a good team that might be great by seasons end. The supposed “separation” between AFC and NFC is a joke…we held our own in Pitt and could beat any team in AFC (when playing a complete game and controlling time of possession / running the ball).
EricADawgFan
October 25th, 2010
2:33 pm
The Falcons wouldn’t even make the Tidy Bowl. That should end the speculations…..
tjhook
October 25th, 2010
2:36 pm
I agree that Bradley typically applies a ’scratch and sniff’ Policy when assessing local sports team (more internal thinking than fact compiling) BUT this article has merit. Season three is confirming that Dimitroff has put together a strong collection of talent and Smith has their ear. The team is ready for some true us vs. them battles. I’m looking forward to them. provided Mularkey opens up the play book.
Heath
October 25th, 2010
2:38 pm
Geez Luke, get RayRay’s ’snake spewing out its venom’ out of your mouth already and have a little dignity.
boiler up
October 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
My 12 year old son was asking yesterday what they need in the draft on the upcoming offseason and for the first time as I fan.. I said, “there isn’t much.. They may just pick the best athlete avlbl..” It hit me how talented they are.. God is good but he’s even better if this team stay’s healthy.. Keep praying for that and we’ll go to SB..
Brian F.
October 25th, 2010
2:55 pm
Yes, but we are not good enough to win on Feb. 6th. Are we just trying to get there or WIN it ?
Chef Mentuer
October 25th, 2010
2:58 pm
you all r a bunch of band wagon jumpers
HermanMunster
October 25th, 2010
3:04 pm
I looked at the Falcons remaining schedule and I dont see any teams on it that the Falcons cannot beat. I am therefore predicting the Falcons will go 9-0 through the remaining schedule, leaving their record at 14-2 after the regular season has finished. You know what, this team is almost an exact replica of the 1998 FALCON DIRTY BIRD FOOTBALL TEAM. The only difference is that its deeper and we have the BEST TIGHT END IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE. With those extra advantages from the ‘98 team, I think this team will easily win the superbowl, provided it is lucky enough to get in it. I’m already predicting the superbowl score for the Falcons. The Falcons win 59-0.
ulysses
October 25th, 2010
3:05 pm
too much on the negative side, MJ just getting into game shape, and HD will be just fine if Marlarky keep opening up the playbook.
Randle P McMurtry
October 25th, 2010
3:07 pm
Yes this ‘TEAM’ can go to the SB…I emphasize team because they for the most part are playing as one….Roddy is the best wr in the NFC and maybe the NFL…U’r right Mark, the D is getting better…Avoid major injuries and this will be a special season.
chris
October 25th, 2010
3:11 pm
I agree they are good enough but things that bother me are like you said, not scoring at least 1 TD against a team without its best QB. They are better than Philly and can’t seem to prove it. Then yesterday they take their foot off the gas and just about let one slip away. Gonzalez through 7 games has under 300 Yards receiving and only 2 TD’s??? Puzzling
I was afraid we would be playing in Lambeau in order to make it to the Super Bowl and that still could happen. But the Falcons are good enough to make sure that road comes through Atlanta instead.
Doc Cheney
October 25th, 2010
3:16 pm
The Falcons would be a SB contender if they had any imagination in their offense or any consistent play @ special teams. All of the offensive plays that don’t fall into the category of painfully obvious/predictable were designed for Jerrious Norwood. And he was the only one to make anything happen on special teams. I realize he has not been healthy or himself in the last season and a half, but he is the only player with breakaway speed and exactly the element that puts good teams over the top. Did Harry Balls even touch the ball yesterday?
Doc Cheney
October 25th, 2010
3:18 pm
I’m gonna get soooo drunk the night of the Ravens game. Woohoo, I can’t wait. We should be ready to fight on a short week after a home loss to the .500 Bucs.
ctfalconsfan
October 25th, 2010
3:19 pm
Who was the other RB that we used yesterday that had 1 carry for 20 or 23 yards??
I hadn’t seen him before, he looked pretty fast out there…
Tommy
October 25th, 2010
3:23 pm
Here are the opponents the rest of the way:
Home: Tampa, baltimore, green bay, New orleans, carolina
Road: St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa, Carolina
Nine games, 5 gimmes, 3 tough ones, and one trap game (at Seattle). 12-4 looks reasonable, and given that all of the other good NFC teams except the saints are piled into two divisions and will keep beating each other, should be good enough for the #1 seed.
There are two great things about this Falcons team: first is its predictability. Not the bad football predictability (like greg knapp’s playbook) but the type that makes you say when they’re down 25-24 ‘just give it to turner and open up white and gonzalez, and we’ll win’ and they do it.
The second is that they are good but do not have a ‘hook’. By that I mean no gimmick plays, no insane turnover ratio, or a mad scientist coaching staff that somehow makes it work. They’re just. . . .good, like the Cowboys of the ’70s or the Redskins in the ’80s. They don’t do anything best, they just do everything very well.
20 year fan
October 25th, 2010
3:23 pm
I have been a big fan for last 20 years but i have few issues that continuously happen and something needs to be said. This is why the town has such a hard time following the falcons. They keep shooting themselves in the foot.
Has anyone else noticed that when the falcons get ahead even by 2 scores coach smith or murlarky starts calling safe plays that end up getting us in trouble and then after the falcons are behind the coaches try to turn it back up. One of these games it’s not going to work and we are going to be knocked out of contention. I would like to know who is the one responsible for not playing hard and strategic throughout the entire game. I was almost embarresed last Sunday. They almost blew it. There is no way we should have blown such a lead.
Also what is with the trick plays that we can’t defend against. Every team we play will start to incorporate this after a couple of teams had success with them against the falcons. Do you think Smith is working on the teams to defend the trick plays? I hate getting burned on those type of plays. Everyone needs to know their resposiblilty to avoid that.
RobbE33
October 25th, 2010
3:55 pm
Best article of the season, Mark. Thanks.
I hope this makes it to the locker room.
Wess Romo
October 25th, 2010
4:14 pm
San Fran can win the Superbowl if there are some key injuries on at least 28 other teams.
Atlanta can lose every game from here out with some key injuries on their team.
It’s all a crap shoot in this age of parity.
We have the talent. Do we have the depth?
MB
October 25th, 2010
4:16 pm
If the Falcons get home field throughout the playoffs they probably will get to the Super Bowl.
MB
October 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
Stop complaining ! The Falcons are 5-2.
NOLA
October 25th, 2010
4:24 pm
here we go again. Bradley no one believes anything you say not even the gullible falcon fans.
NOLA
October 25th, 2010
4:28 pm
when the season ends we will still be division champs and we will have home field advantage in the NFC. I am not even worried. Brees just needs to stop throwing to the other team.
ctfalconsfan
October 25th, 2010
4:36 pm
NOLA – saints are in a downward spiral, you just don’t see it.
Pitt will beat you guys down to 4-4.
moorman
October 25th, 2010
4:37 pm
exactly atl king. the falcons arent a physical team on defense. THAT is what wins championships.
ctfalconsfan
October 25th, 2010
4:43 pm
We do have a lot of talent but with Robinson out you could see where our biggest weakness is – CB!!!
I like Grimes but he’s not a starter and having him and owens out there yesterday was a nightmare as a good QB would have lit us up for a lot more than 350 yards, which was a season high for Palmer who is at best an average NFL QB.
The other issue, more importantly, is coaching. I still can’t get over how we were SOOOOOOOOOOOO outcoached by Philly on all sides of the ball. If we are going to go the SB we can’t have complete collapses like we did in that game.
Steelers fan
October 25th, 2010
4:44 pm
If the Falcons get lucky and make the Super Bowl, they will choke just like last time. In the end it will be same old Falcons. All bark and no bite.
Paddy
October 25th, 2010
4:44 pm
lee….I have something to say about D Hall. He is still an “all about me” kind of player on a team sport. Falcons and Raiders are glad he is somewhere else!
John
October 25th, 2010
4:45 pm
Bradley,
You gotta be kidding! Is the NFC so weak you see the Birds representing the conference in the Super Bowl?
They hold off a late charge by an equally inconsistent Bengals team and Matt Ryan finally finds some downfield targets and you’re ready to annoint them champs of the NFC.
As evidence, you rattled off the Bengals stallwarts like they’re Murderer’s Row. Save Cedric Benson, they’re a bunch of has-beens.
The Falcons conference-best record is a shanked kick and a Roddy White strip away from being 3-4. The Eagles exposed them for the inconsistent group they are. Often impressive, just as often grab-asstic, dumbfuddled and just plain bad, this team hasn’t beaten anybody good yet.
I like the Birds as much as the next guy, but I think you’ve been dipping Mexican snuff.
Roger That Captain
October 25th, 2010
4:49 pm
Mark, now the Falcons will barely make the playoffs and lose in the first round. Thanks a lot, Man..
SeenThisB4
October 25th, 2010
4:59 pm
Falcon Fans – It’s time for me to be a man and say the Falcons are the class of the NFC South. My Saints are clearly in a tailspin and it will only get worse.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 25th, 2010
5:13 pm
Like I said after Week 2, the NFC is wide open this year, and there’s no reason why the Falcons shouldn’t be the team that represents the conference in the Super Bowl. It would especially help them if they clinch the #1 seed, since Matt Ryan seems to be much, much better at home than on the road.
I think the Eagles with Vick and the Giants are better than the Falcons in a playoff game played on a neutral site (the Packers would be too if they weren’t decimated by injuries), but that won’t matter if the Falcons end up with the best record in the NFC.
Angelo
October 25th, 2010
5:15 pm
I don’t care about what they say about Falcons. The fact of matter is the falcons are winning and they are not even playing that great right now. This team is only going to get better as we move on. So beware AFC
Sid
October 25th, 2010
5:19 pm
Brett, I sure would have liked to seen you behind center as a Falcon but we just weren’t hiring heavy drinkers in those days. Now, with your broken ankle, this is a perfect opportunity to go home to your wife and see what you can salvage (did ya have a prenup bud?) So put on your open fly Wranglers and ride off into the sunset………….in other words R E T I R E………it’s the right time!
Falcon Friend
October 25th, 2010
5:28 pm
Nark: You are too much. Please restrain yourself until they play a few more games. You don`t need to make predictions like this. You can still lead
the AJC sportswriters in blog hits without this untimely stuff. Only the
team can know they are capable of winning a championship. No fan nor writer gets on the field.
Big B in Newnan
October 25th, 2010
6:01 pm
If they would fire Brian VanGorder the defence would be better served. There’s talent there but Van Gorder refuses to let it out. Show different looks for Pete’s sake. Press coverage with the corners, stack 8-9 guys in the box and back off (or blitz), just give the opposing QB something to think about… too much vanilla.
Samuel
October 25th, 2010
6:20 pm
Anything is possible, if we block for Ryan he can get it done. Harry Douglas should be used like Percy Harvin in Minnesota. We could dail up a few more plays for No 27- so he can get out on the outside. The defense must show up in every game an compete. The coaching has to improve game to game. no major injuries.
Wildebeast
October 25th, 2010
6:28 pm
So, who’s throwing Roddy the ball…oh yeah, Matt Ryan!
J-MAN
October 25th, 2010
6:31 pm
If they are gonna make the Super Bowl they need to quit giving up big passing days to Kolb and Palmer. Because Big Ben, Manning or Brady will eat them alive. This is a great week for a bye it gives the chance to get some players healthy and make a run to the playoffs
reckingball
October 25th, 2010
7:01 pm
John@4;45………”I like the Birds as much as the next guy”? YOU gotta be kidding! You rattle off all of that negative crap about the Falcons, and then claim to be a Falcons fan, come on man, I can smell a saints fan a mile away, and you have the scent.
reckingball
October 25th, 2010
7:16 pm
The Falcons win, and still there are so many of these imbeciles on this blog complaining, about the way that they won the game.
They won, they have the best record in their conference, they are 5-2, lighten up, have a drink, enjoy it.
The best thing about it, is that they are getting better as the season progresses.
Ron
October 25th, 2010
7:32 pm
Great game birds, I am surprised that no one has talked about us going to the shotgun yesterday, do you think maybe that is why we had better protection and why the passing game woke up. Matt actually had time to let the plays develop down field, now throw in a few screens and a draw or two and we might actually look like an offense. WE are truly in a great position to be the top team in the NFC I can see us at twelve and four real easy if we beat the teams we are supposed to beat. I just hope we don’t have a let down against a Carolina or Tampa, our super bowl is against Baltimore if we beat them I will be a confirmed believer, and it would be great to see Matt beat Flacco. In other words if we beat Baltimore, I will believe we could win the super bowl against any of the AFC teams if we get there, I’m not sure I could say that now, but I do believe we are as good as any NFC team. The Giants are the only team in the NFC that should give us trouble, and no I don’t in any way think the Eagles are a better team than us, we just lost our minds that day, Pitt is far better than the Eagles, and we played them much better, and should have won that game!
My View
October 25th, 2010
7:52 pm
MB……..You stated what I thought while watching yesterdays game. Only, my belief was that they are “a year away”. The reason for my feelings were that I think they would play tough til the end of the season. Lose in they playoffs, then kick themselves all offseason when they realize how close they were and knowing that “they have what it takes”. You stated it best however. THEY GOTTA BELIEVE!!!
reckingball
October 25th, 2010
8:10 pm
I would like to see the Falcons beat-down the Bucs in both of the games this year, like about 45 to 0 would be nice, in each game. Like they used to do to the Falcons.
tom
October 25th, 2010
8:26 pm
Can’t have games like Philly and be in the Super Bowl. One game at a time. Might get lucky
bradley picks badley
October 25th, 2010
8:49 pm
Yeah right!!! Just like your prediction of the braves in the world series–please stop it.
JASon
October 25th, 2010
9:26 pm
“This doesn’t mean the Falcons can’t lose another game. They probably will.”
Mark, thanks for this gem.
Dr. Warren
October 25th, 2010
10:10 pm
These Falcons are very good at home. If they can get the number one seed somehow, then they have a good shot. The NFC seems very weak, though one or two teams will surely emerge from the pack.
mac
October 25th, 2010
10:39 pm
Bradley..c’mon man..pass it around..don’t be selfish..mannnn..thats some hellashish wacky backy!
Once again..the birds “backed” out of the stadium with the W..I don’t see them winning another 3 games this year..they will be lucky to win 2..
Hey M.B. try this method to pick your winners week to week..take a coin..make sure it’s “head”
side up..flip the coin..catch it in both hands..in other words “slap” both hands together as the coin
in in the air..comes up heads..team in top bracket wins..comes up tails..team in bottom bracket wins..I win the biggest majority of games each week!
BigHittas
October 25th, 2010
10:40 pm
Evidently MB didn’t see number 21 playing CB on Sunday. That was no Superbowl bound D. And that’s why Palmer threw for a gazillion yards. The guy is terrible; I have no idea why they play him.
buck strickland
October 25th, 2010
11:33 pm
JUST SHUT UP JINX BOY. SHUT UP. YOU JINX BRAVES. I’M SURE YOU’LL PICK THE DAWGS TO BEAT UF – JINX! AND NOW FALCONS. GEEZ. YOU. ARE. A. JINX MASTER!
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:45 pm
Damn I did not remember how much we gave up for Texeira…………..and they’re all in the World Series………………..jeez……………
Sid
October 25th, 2010
11:48 pm
Ron
October 25th, 2010
7:32 pm
……………………………………….Ron, it’s not like we haven’t gone into the shotgun a gazillion times already…………Are you ok?
PMC
October 26th, 2010
12:38 am
The big plays given up are partly a result of youth. They over run stuff. They over pursue and are undiciplined. It’s part of the learning process. This is the reason that they have to score more points on offense.
This backed out nonsense is ridiculous. This is the NFL not college, everyone from the top to the bottom is a professional. They all have size they all have speed. Any team is capable of beating any other team on a given day.
To be fair on this one as well I don’t believe Mark is saying the Falcons WILL go to the Super Bowl only that they are capable. He wonders if they have he same belief or swagger as the Steelers or Patriots or a team that could have home field advantage in the playoffs.
It is entirely possible that they will have a chance to win every future game they play this season. They are plenty good enough to do that.
We all know they could use a few more starters, but most teams in the NFC are either deficient there or at head coach.
reckingball
October 26th, 2010
1:12 am
The Falcons will finish 12-4. The saints will be lucky to finish 8-8.
Sure are a lot of negative morons on this blog.
Sports Review
October 26th, 2010
7:30 am
[...] The Falcons can make the Super Bowl: Do they know that?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Big day for White as Falcons fly to 5-2 with 39-32 win over BengalsNFL GridIron GabAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -The Falcoholicall 28 news articles » [...]
Will
October 26th, 2010
7:51 am
Mark:
I tried to contact you several times as, a notorious “home town bandwagon” journalist, I was certain you would “drink the koolaid” of the Falcons’ start.
The Falcons are good team but hardly a Super Bowl contender. So far, they have beaten one team that most did not think they would beat (New Orleans on the road) and lost a game (Pittsburgh on the road) that most saw as an excellent opportunity to win given that Pittsburgh’s spledid QB was suspended at the time. The rest of the games have gone according to script except that the Falcons have struggled in wins over SF and the Bengals.
A good team. Five wins as expected or, at best, five wins when four would have been expected.
Hardly a path to the Super Bowl.
Now, when UGA beats UF this Saturday, don’t go all crazy on us. UGA will most likely end with seven wins this year. After the Colorado loss, most would have guessed the Bulldogs would end the season with six wins but most would have never guessed how lucky the Bulldogs would have been to catch UF during UF’s worst season of the century.
Like the Falcons, UGA will end up being a good team, nothing more, nothing less.
Chop Buster
October 26th, 2010
8:23 am
Some of you are highly delusional. This team does have holes in it on both sides of the ball. Be a realist and not a blind loyalist. Our backups showed this past Sunday that we would be in real trouble if we had to rely on them down the stretch. LT is garbage and Dimitroff better find a replacement for Baker. We need to be consistent before we’re going to dominant or win anything of significance. Not trying to be negative, just the things that I’ve observed watching our games. We have a lot of unrealized potential–but that’s not what win games.
Chop Buster
October 26th, 2010
8:54 am
Also, PMC hit the nail on the head. Still too much undiscipline youths to be consistent IMO. That’s why they looked so confused in the Eagles game. Where is the confusion from our DC? I want more from our OC for the rest of the season as well. Name of the game for our OC/DC is keep our opponent’s offense and defense guessing.
Sports Review
October 26th, 2010
9:20 am
[...] The Falcons can make the Super Bowl: Do they know that?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Big day for White as Falcons fly to 5-2 with 39-32 win over BengalsNFL GridIron GabAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -The Falcoholicall 22 news articles » [...]
Sports Review
October 26th, 2010
10:46 am
[...] Tops All NFL ReceiversFootball News NowFalcons Hold Off BengalsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NFL GridIron Gab -The Falcoholicall 23 news [...]
Boo the Falcons!!!
October 26th, 2010
11:47 am
Get rid of Matt Ryan and this team might go 2 the superbowel.
ATL Observer
October 26th, 2010
12:11 pm
I don’t want to go to the super bowel…that sounds like a painful experience.
(Sorry, don’t normally bounce on a misspelling, but that one struck me as hilarious).
Sports Review
October 26th, 2010
12:55 pm
[...] (blog)Return of injured players could help Falcons' struggling pass defensePro Football WeeklyAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NFL GridIron Gaball 24 news [...]
DR. DIRTY BIRD
October 26th, 2010
1:15 pm
I think some of those who are criticizing this article are missing the point. The Falcons have a talented team, coaching staff and GM. We show moments of domnating….moments of swagger – but we’re still a young team. Our guys DO need to have what I’d call a “come to Jesus” moment within themselves. They’ve got to work harder and believe more than they ever have…that this just might be their time! If they do that…. I DO believe they’ve gotta great shot at making it to the Big Dance! Rise Up & Believe Falcons….This Is Your Time!!!
WreckingBall
October 26th, 2010
3:12 pm
It looks as though the Falcons gave up too soon on D-Hall. D’Angelo Hall is NOW the best cornerback in the league after sundays record setting afternoon of four picks, including a pick-6. Hall has done what no other cornerback in league history ever did, not even Dion Sanders. Hall should probably now go to Hall of Fame, which was NAMED after Hall.
GraveDigger
October 26th, 2010
5:29 pm
The Falcons appear to have a team that can be in superbowl contention if they decide that is something that they want to do. The intensity at which the Falcons play from here on will dictate how far in fact do the Falcons go. On paper, the Falcons have the BEST team in the nfc with the best record thus far. There are probably at least four teams in the AFC that I think are as good as the falcons: Colts, Patriots, Jets and Steelers. THE FALCONS ARE DEFINITELY IN THE ELITE GROUP OF TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE. Beyond that, how far the Falcons ultimately get will depend on just how much desire they have to become CHAMPIONS.
Sports Review
October 26th, 2010
8:05 pm
[...] Tops All NFL ReceiversFootball News NowFalcons Hold Off BengalsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NFL GridIron Gab -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 29 news [...]
MB
October 26th, 2010
8:50 pm
First.
m foreman
October 26th, 2010
10:22 pm
I already “know” what “elvisaintdead’s” problem is. The middle letters (5,6,7,8 & 9) spell out his main problem! LOL!
Sports Review
October 27th, 2010
12:25 am
[...] Tops All NFL ReceiversFootball News NowFalcons Hold Off BengalsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NFL GridIron Gaball 29 news [...]
Sports Review
October 27th, 2010
2:10 am
[...] Journal Constitution (blog)Falcons' Roddy White Tops All NFL ReceiversFootball News NowAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NFL GridIron Gaball 29 news [...]
Sports Review
October 27th, 2010
10:25 am
[...] White having his best season yetSifyFalcons Hold Off BengalsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Football News Now -NFL GridIron Gaball 32 news [...]
PaulWarfield
October 27th, 2010
1:52 pm
The Falcons are probably the leagues biggest surprise this year so far. I hope the Falcons will win the superbowl this season to simply ‘GET THE MONKEY OFF ITS BACK’. The Falcons have been in the league for 44 years, with no superbowl win to show for it. Even the Saints got a championship before we did. This is our year though and I’m expecting the Falcons to win the whole enchalada this year. Go Falcons!
ShempHoward
October 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
LABRON JAMES TOOK THE WRONG APPROACH TO WINNING A TITLE. THE HEAT WILL PROBABLY BE ABOUT THE LEAGUES 10TH BEST TEAM THIS YEAR. I THINK LABRON JAMES WILL FAIL TO GET A RING IN HIS CAREER. LABRON WILL END UP LIKE PATRICK EWING, CHARLES BARKLEY AND KARL MALONE, WASTING THEIR CAREERS FOR NOTHING.
SpencerTracy
October 27th, 2010
2:40 pm
SHEMP: GOOD BLOG. YEAH, LABRON IS A MORON. LBJ WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING HIS RING OUT OF THE GUMBALL MACHINE THAN WINNING IT ON AN NBA COURT WITH A GLITZY TEAM OF SELFISH PRIMA DONAS.
Buster
October 27th, 2010
4:41 pm
We have been down this road before. We were 6-2 at the half way point with Jim Mora as coach and finished 1 and 7 the second half of the season. As a 30 year season ticket holder I don’t get excited until December. Don’t count any team out. Super Bowl is up for grabs.
ChakaZulu
October 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
Eveybody keeps raving about how great our tight end is (Tony Gonzales). Of course Tony is a future HOF’er, without a doubt but we used to have a tight end here who was a perennial pro bowler (Algenon Crumpler). In fact Algae was so good that when passes were thrown into his “CRUMPLE ZONE” he would waltz into the end zone virtually unchallenged.
ClaudeHumphrey
October 27th, 2010
5:43 pm
Buster: you are right. We have been down this road before, but this falcon team is almost identical to the 1998 team that made it all the way to the superbowl, just to have Eugene Robinson wreck it for them. What I’m telling you is over the next nine games, the Falcons will win all them going 9-0, sweep the playoffs and win the superbowl game. THIS FALCON TEAM IS DIFFERENT!!!!!!!
Troy
October 27th, 2010
7:01 pm
Great article….I’ve been saying that the Falcons need to go out there and play with the “X” factor that the Steelers and Patriots do. Across the board they have just as good of talent that the Vikings, Packers, and Saints have.
Willie in Woodbury
October 28th, 2010
8:44 am
Nice Post MB., but I think our Birds’ need to start finishing off games in the 1st and 2nd halves. It seems they are making games more diffucultt by not staying focused the whole 30 minutes of each half which allows a team to get more confidence. That could lead to trouble later in the year if not corrected. I think the coaching staff should stress this as much as possible.If you have a team reeling “drive the stake”!
bigdave
October 28th, 2010
11:46 am
I could not believe the awful way the team played in Philly! Seems like the FALCONS can make any dimwit quaterback look like a superstar! Whats going on? Carson Palmer the same way…superstar! Defensive schemes stupid, rush schemes childish. This team could be much better! Another rusher needed, another hard hitting Dback needed, a superfast halfback needed…great head coach they have, great quarterback and an offensive line that plays meaner than a defensive line. I knew Roddy would be a superstar and guess what, if Mike Jenkins can stay healthy he is another one along with Douglas. Roddy will be doubled so that will open up all sorts of opps! But the DEFENSE? We shall see. GO FALCONS!!
bigdave
October 28th, 2010
11:57 am
So you think you want the ex-con Vick back? The guy who stabbed MILLIONS Of PEOPLE in the back, broke MILLIONS OF HEARTS including his TEAM MATES and COACHING STAFF? Get down on your knees VICK and ask for forgiveness, rather than saying you can’t wait to play against them! VICK will not last, he will continue to get hurt, too many huge/fast guys in this league now…all it takes is one hit….kind of like the last one. Has VICK ever apologised to his team mates? Hey, he broke my heart too, I recorded every game I could and watched the games over and over again many times and I was living in LA, marvelling at Vick’s talent, but I could tell something was amiss. Sometimes his head was not in the game and it was obvious, but who knew the reason? Then finally we all did. What a freakin shame!
PaulWinchester
October 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
I dont quite understand why ANYONE on Gods green earth would want conVick back into an atlanta falcons uniform. It absolutely turns my stomach to think there are people out there who condone killing dogs and persecuring them by electrocution, drowning, bludgening or whatever and they will forgive and forget and let this inhumane, APE take his place under center for the Falcons. Its insane and I’ll never get over it. conVick should have gotten two life sentences PLUS 80 years for the mass killings that he and his dumb buddies perpetrated. For conVick to see daylight, much less regain a starting qb position in the nfl is a miracle beyond all miracles. Its only a matter time until conVick screws up again, and he will once again be sporting the orange jumpsuit garb that he has grown accustomed to wearing when youre under complete and unmitigated LOCKDOWN.
bubba7020
October 28th, 2010
11:51 pm
only tough games are left is, 1. ravens 2. green bay, 3. tampa (at their house) 4. saints beside those games we should be good
OtisThorpe
October 29th, 2010
1:33 pm
PaulWinchester: wrote, “It absolutely turns my stomach to think there are people out there who condone killing dogs and persecuring them by electrocution, drowning, bludgening or whatever and they will forgive and forget and let this inhumane, APE take his place under center for the Falcons,”. Paul you are correct. I am completely dumbfounded and befuddled why ANY GENERAL MANAGER IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL would hire this SAVAGE BEAST to play quarterback for them. He should be a poster child for “ANIMAL HOUSE” or “ANIMAL KINGDOM”. This guy is half monster and half vampire. MIKE VICK SHOULD NOT BE STARTING QUARTERBACK IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. PERIOD.
JuniorBridgeman
October 29th, 2010
5:27 pm
I remember when the Falcons got stomped by the Eagles earlier in the season while vick was injured, more fans were dissapointed that Vick didnt play in the game than the Falcons getting beat. Most of the Atlanta fans were disspointed they didnt get to see if Vick could get revenge on the franchise that treated him so horribly. Well, the only way for the Falcons to avenge the loss and give the fans the chance to see vick against his former team is if the Falcons meet the Eagles in the playoffs or the NFC championship game. That would be a good test for the falcons to #1:see if they can advance to the superbowl, and #2:one and for all judge and evaluate if Mike Vick is truly better than Matt Ryan. Most falcon fans still are not sure that Ryan is better than vick and Ive even heard sports talk show radio hosts here in atlanta saying vick right now is a much better quarterback than ryan. Here is what the truth is with vick versus ryan. VICK IS A WANNABE QUARTERBACK WHO IS PLAYING GREAT NOW, BUT WILL REVERT BACK TO HIS OLD WAYS AND WILL EMBARRASS THE EAGLES ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Ryan on the other hand, is centuries ahead of Vick and had the BEST ROOKIE SEASON A QUARTERBACK IN THE ASSOCIATION EVER HAD. Whats more, according to a reliable source in Steve Young, Matt Ryan played his rookie season like a hall of fame quarterback. In addition, most football experts believe that MATT RYAN WILL BE A FUTURE FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK. That is the true story behind Vick versus Ryan. One is great (Ryan) and one is slime (Vick).
Paddy O
October 29th, 2010
8:17 pm
bubba – I concur – but all those teams have question marks – the Raven O is not all that solid, the Packers defense & coaching can be beat. Tampa makes me a little nervous – they don’t have much rep, but are succeeding. If we are lucky, NO will stay in this funk all year long. Carolina, I am worried by the time we get there they will have fired Fox & the whole team will be fired up to avenge their crappy early play – but, we shall see.
Paddy O
October 29th, 2010
8:19 pm
The immoral, unethical and apathetic (plus demented) among us don’t know right from wrong – most likely because they were not raised by two married adults who loved each other – therefore, they have never formed the proper character and conscience. Those who root for Vick, never enter into a business contract with them.
Ken Strickland
October 30th, 2010
3:23 pm
The only advantage the Ravens have over us is OC MMularkey’s inability to come up with an OFF gm plan for successfully attacking the 3-4 DEF. After 3yrs, he simply doesn’t have a clue. In a 3-4 DEF, the front 3 DLinemen are usually very big, stout, and good run stoppers, but usually lack range, lateral movement athleticism, and usually aren’t very good pass rushers. Therefore, the OLB’s are relied on to be the primary pass rushers, and that’s who you attack with your OFF.
YOU CAN’T CONTINUE ATTACKING THE STRENGTH OF THE 3-4 DEF BY CONSISTENTLY RUNNING BETWEEN THE TACKLES MMULARKEY. You must use your RB’s as outside running and passing threats, pressuring their OLB’s to provide outside protection, which eliminates them as pass rushers. I would start by playing RB’s MTurner and JSnelling together, which would definitely give both their OLB’s and ILB’s something to be concerned about. Using FB OMughelli more as a runner and receiver would also help.
Once you spread the DEF and limit their OLB’s from rushing the QB, we can attack their secondary, and our WR’s and TE are far superior to their secondary. A good inside play fake to one RB can freeze the ILB’s, while the other RB goes outside and is isolated on an OLB, becoming an outlet or down field receiving option. While the Ravens’ OFF is much better than last yrs, which isn’t saying a lot, it’s not prolific or dynamic in any way, so our DEF can handle it.
JUNIORBRIDGEMAN-Exactly what did the Falcons do to treat MVick so badly? Were they the ones who got him involved in, or blew the whistle on, his ILLEGAL activity, did they provide state and federal evidence against him, did they refuse to sign him to a massive contract, or lie to him about anything? At this point in his life and career, anyone predicting what MVick might or might not do, on or off the field, is indulging in WISHFUL THINKING.
PADDY O-You show your own immoral, unethical and apathetic(plus demented) attributes when you ASS-U-ME everyone raised without two married adults, who loved each other, will never form proper character and conscience. If you are a Christian, how do you feel about worshiping Jesus, who wasn’t raised by either of his parents. Are you saying all children who’ve lost a parent(s) due to injury, illness, disease, accident or war, and raised by a single parent, will never be able to develop the character and conscience you pretend to possess, you HIPPOCRITICAL B!TCH.
FITZ
October 30th, 2010
7:08 pm
THE PHILLY GAME WAS ALL THE FALCONS NEEDED IT EXPOSED BAD COACHING SO IT WAS EITHER CRAP OR LEAVE FOR BOTH COORDINATORS
World Spinner
October 31st, 2010
10:54 pm
The Falcons can reach the Super Bowl, but do they know that ……
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……