Live from the Dome: The risen Falcons eye their culmination
A proud patron on Dec. 10, 2007. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It was a Monday night in December, and the Saints were in town. It was not a tough ticket. It was simply tough to watch.
It was Dec. 10, 2007. Earlier in the day Michael Vick had been sentenced to 23 months in jail by a judge in Richmond, Va. That night the team Vick used to lead lost to New Orleans 34-14 under the Georgia Dome to fall to 3-10. The next night would see Bobby Petrino, who had coached the Falcons those 13 games, being introduced as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
For a franchise that had seen its share of valleys, that week — it closed with the Falcons losing 37-3 under interim coach Emmitt Thomas in Tampa — was the nadir. It was possible to view this city’s NFL entry as having nothing: No coach, no quarterback, no hope.
On a Monday night three years and 17 days later, the Falcons again played host to the Saints on a Monday night, and this time it wasn’t a occasion best avoided. It was, on the contrary, an event being billed as the biggest home regular-season in the Falcons’ 46 seasons of operation. Win and the Falcons would, in one fell swoop — and Falcons do swoop, last we checked — do all of the following:
• Beat their biggest rival, who happens to be the reigning Super Bowl titlist.
• Win their division for only the fourth time ever.
• Clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
That the Falcons could actually lose to the Saints and still accomplish Nos. 2 and 3 on the above list by beating woeful Carolina here six days later meant nothing to the man who’d made all this happen. In January 2008 Falcons owner Arthur Blank had interviewed New England’s chief scout from Boulder, Col., via Webcam, and such was the impression Thomas Dimitroff made that he was named general manager.
Within 12 months, Dimitroff had hired a coach (Mike Smith) and signed a feature back (Michael Turner) and drafted a quarterback (Matt Ryan) and lifted this woebegone franchise, miracle of miracles, to the playoffs. From there the men of Dimitty and Smitty have moved from strength to strength: A second consecutive winning season under arduous circumstances last season, and now 12 victories over the first 14 games of 2010. Funny how much easier things work with folks of surpassing smarts in charge.
But back to Dimitroff on Monday afternoon: He lives in Buckhead, but he’d abandoned the family home. He called the director of team travel and asked for a room at the team hotel downtown, Dimitroff said, “so I can get some work done and return phone calls.” But he wasn’t too harried to read AJC.com — presumably the Falcons get complimentary wireless — and he felt compelled to ring one writer (i.e., me) and remind him of an unusually sunny forecast offered in preseason.
“You going to be there tonight?” Dimitroff said. Then: “It should be something.”
It was convenient in December 2007 to say that Vick’s indictment/incarceration had set the Falcons back three years. As it turned out, they made the playoffs in their first season under Dimitroff, and nearly every move since has sped the plow. The trade for Tony Gonzalez last year and the signing of Dunta Robinson this spring were moves that had to be made if the Falcons were to be taken seriously, and we saw in big-time tests against Baltimore and Green Bay how serious this team is.
And now it was a Monday night in December in the final week of calendar 2010, and a culmination was there to be grasped, a culmination nobody could have foreseen three years and 17 days ago. In December 2007 the operative emotion regarding the Falcons was pity. We feel sorry for them no more. We feel only admiration.
And with that, the floor is again open for questions, comments and Christmas caroling. I’ll be here all game, and I’d appreciate the company. It gets mighty lonesome with only 70,000 of my best pals around.
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1,621 comments Add your comment
Mr. Red
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Was that the worst offensive game plan in the history of football or not? I hope Malarky is gone after this year!
@ Freddie G you are so correct!
Kmyq
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Who was that douche that was talking trash all week? Oh yeah, it was Roddy White. How you like being a big fat loser, douche? Who Dat!
TexasDawg
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Again they punt away a win!!!!
Tough Nolla Guy
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Chiefdawg
December 27th, 2010
11:49 pm
Same old Falcons. Get the spotlight and lose.
—-
spoken like a life long suffering ‘con fan. just hope the dog killa doesn’t show up in a month.
JDW
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Same old Falcon $hit…really big game…no O…punt with under 3 left…I fear a dashing of dreams.
ChokeArtist
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
The Falcons are a good team, but they don’t have the experience to make it far, maybe next year. Let’s face it, they choked.
504ever
December 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
Saints 17 falCANTS 14
AINTs DAT SOMETHING……lmao…..DA CHAMPS WIN AGAIN!!!
1st da hawks, now da failCANTS….what a GREAT weekend in New Orleans!!! Thanks Roddy
Teabagger Johnson
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
McClure rolled the ball backwards and Turner coughed it up at the goal line (which I knew he would once they started talking about how he hadn’t fumbled in so many carries). That must be for lost fumbles, because I know I’ve seen him fumble . . .
O"Brien
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
So Roddy White talked all that trash earlier in the week, only to become a non-factor tonight.
Thanks Roddy. Because of you and the offense, Trent Dilfer looks like he knew what he was talking about.
KimZ'spackage
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 26th, 2010
10:14 pm
Falcons down by 10 early, but take the lead in the 3rd qtr. only to lose by 3 in the 4th.
I hope not I just think it will get the Falcons heads in the game for the playoff run.
I hate I called it a few days ago. It made the FALCONS grow-up tonight.
Sean
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Relax. Saints are defending SB champs and take away either of the two fumbles and Falcons win. Regardless, Falcons will beat the awful Panthers to wrap up the #1 seed and home field throughout the playoffs
Frozen Rope
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
This loss is on Matty Ice,,, he had nothing
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Those of you blaming Mularkey need to understand something. The Falcons’ bread and butter all season has been getting POSITIVE YARDS on first and second down, primarily through the running game, and having MANAGEABLE 3rd down situations that Matt Ryan can convert. Ryan’s strength is getting the ball out of his hands and completing 5-10 yard passes, and this plays to his strength. In pretty much every game this season, the Falcons have been able to get a push with their offensive line to get Turner room to run. In this game, they weren’t able to do this, because the Saints’ D-line controlled the line of scrimmage.
Where Mularkey can be blamed is in not adjusting to this at halftime and coming out with a more perimeter-oriented running game and more playaction passing. But many of you come in and blame him for using Turner week after week, which is foolish. Power running with Turner is what makes this offense click.
MikeyD
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Fire van gorder. The saints drive a ridiculously easy 90 yards with the game on the line. Coach Smith has held his hand too long, and he’s not catching on. He’s in over his head. Time to lose the dead weight.
Mr. Red
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Same ‘ol Falcons. When its truly crunch they don’t show up. Well the D did, Offense and Matty Ice – No where to be found!
coloradobulldog
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Look falcons win next week. Get a bye. Beat Saints in 3 weeks. Guarantee.
GTfan
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Vick supporter your just a dumb monkey and a band wagon fan. Your no Eagles fan.
Tough Nolla Guy
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
once you shut down that fat boi and take away his burgers the ‘cons are pathetic.
KimZ'spackage
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
December 26th, 2010
10:14 pm
Falcons down by 10 early, but take the lead in the 3rd qtr. only to lose by 3 in the 4th.
I hope not I just think it will get the Falcons heads in the game for the playoff run.
just obvious
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Frozen Rope
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
This loss is on Matty Ice,,, he had nothing
Yeah, he made turner fumble…you stupid sob
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
First I would like to give much RESPECT to The Atlanta Falcon D.
Second WHO DAT SAY THEY GON BEAT DEM SAINT!!!!!!!!
IT’S VOO DOO BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
vpi83
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
The difference between Matt Ryan and the elite QB’s in the NFL . . . pulling through in a pressure game in your own backyard . . . maybe next year . . . the Falcons offense need to learn to will their way in the 4th quarter against quality NFL teams. What kind of teams do they think that they will face in the playoffs. So far all I see is a one and done team. I was hoping to see if the Falcons could turn the corner against an elite team . . . so far NO.
Matt
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Fark Michael Turner!
J.J.M.
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
we need to draft a running back that isnt fat and slow…and also draft a better guard
The Joker....
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Enjoy aint’s fans, no more free rides come the playoffs, hope to see ya’ll again in the playoffs…GO FALCONS!!!!
Tyler
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Michael Turner, you fumbled on the one yard line in the year’s biggest game. That’s what you will be known for this year.
Kramer318
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Chill out everyone. This game doesn’t even matter.
HELP
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
WATCH THE REAL QUARTERBACK TOMORROW NIGHT.. PLEASE PAY VICK TO COME BACK TO ATLANTA.. GET RID OF TURNER AND MATTY FAKE.
Steve C
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
And here come the New Orleans people that didn’t have the guts to post before the game. It’s alright, we still have the track to the # 1 seed. Have fun with Tampa Bay next week, we’ll take Carolina thank you very much.
Teabagger Johnson
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
We definitely should have gone for it on 4th . . .
Mr. Red
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Did you see Matty Ice running away from the bad snap from McClure. He ran backwards!
Falcons Fan80
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Chill Aint fans .You are still looking up to us.Next week Division Champs and homefield is ours.
Tough Nolla Guy
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
thanks for the parade folks. we stopped your streak. seen this b4.
Kisha
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
WHO DAT!!!! EAT DAT FALCONS!!! HA HA HA
Jimmy
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
We definitely need a speed back to replace Norwood.
Snelling has lost a step since his injury.
Hopefully he can fully recover after the season.
We need a left O tackle so we can move Doughboy Baker to guard.
neworleanshater
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Falcons made too many mistakes. Played pitiful D in the 4th quarter. And Ryan tries to get the crucial first down by throwing to All-Nobody Harry Douglas. Nice. Real nice.
ns1960
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Hey Bradley…so the Falcons are “elite” and the Saints are “last year”….eat crow
World Champs
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Good game dirty birds! Now we’re tied 1 – 1. See yall again in the playoffs! WHO DAT!
mark33
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
I know one thing…
The offense better show up next week… or we’re gonna be a wild card team and on the road in the playoffs.
That was pathetic.
RON
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
NO WAY ATLANTA FALCONS GO TO THE SUPERBOWL, MUCH LESS GET CLOSE. THEY DON’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES…JUST LIKE THE BRAVES AND HAWKS AND THRASHERS AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO LIVES IN THAT LOSER OF A CITY…DETROIT’S ARM-PIT.
Frozen Dope
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Frozen Rope
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
This loss is on Matty Ice,,, he had nothing
Yep that fumble by the center and the fumble by Turner were his fault. You dumba$$
D Falcons
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Tough loss tonight. I think we still get it done on Sunday against the Panthers, but this means that we probably have to see these guys again at some point over the next few weeks. I thought that our game plan was a little too conservative tonight, but I know a lot was dictated by Greg Williams defense. It seems that the Saints dictated the game tempo for most of the night, and they completely took away Tony G. and Roddy in the second half.
playmeortrademe
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Seriously, Mike Mularkey has to GO. Everbody and their mama knew the Saints were going to key on Turner and did we see any play action or no huddle…NO! The lone touchdown drive was almost entirely in the no-huddle but did we stick with it, NO! Kept running Turner up the gut and I think he had two or three carries over 5 yards. Went conservative after the play action on first after the Abe pick and had to punt. That was the game, you can’t give a great team all those chances.
Please lord send NO to Chicago for the 1st round they will wither and die in the cold.
Eric C.
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
You are going for the freaking top seed and you punt the ball on 4th and 6 to one of the best offenses in the league knowing that one first down will just about give you know chance…that makes no sense at all.
Football wife
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Was hoping for a win but good game. With a 19-1 record at home and an eight game winning streak, this loss will make our Falcons hunger with those ditch diggers from La. come back for a visit in a few weeks.
Tough Nolla Guy
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
Falcons Fan80
December 27th, 2010
11:52 pm
Chill Aint fans .You are still looking up to us.Next week Division Champs and homefield is ours.
—-
home field will be your downfall. perfect conditions. you folks are simply in over your heads.
SRF
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
I have seen this too many times – the birds choke again. Just wait until they lose to Carolina and NO gets the NFC South – you just think that ESPN has a crush…
GO VOLS!
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
“Not as many Saints fans here as usual, JJ.”
I was at the Dome last year, at least in our section the SAINTS fans came out strong.
WHO DAT?!?!
JDO
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
THIS LOSS IS ON MICHAEL TURNERS SHOULDERS! PERIOD! AND THAT FATTY MCCLURE!
Falcons2010
December 27th, 2010
11:53 pm
well it’s official now. Falcons with their biggest letdown of the year. A great crowd, the division/Number 1 seed on the line and they play like stuff you see in a toilet.
way to back that crowd guys … I’m almost tempted to say this is even more embarrassing than that Eagles loss