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
Tough Nolla Guy
December 27th, 2010
11:59 pm
the panthers have been resting for 10 days. this is the nfl and fresh legs make a huge difference.
the panthers have nothing to lose. fox is done. they will give it their best.
Savannah Fan
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
We blow out Carolina next week????-we have not blown out anyone this year-
GO VOLS!
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Old Gold, God don’t like ugly
you’re a clown and a disgrace to Atlanta.
GTfan
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
I hope the next hurricane fills up NOLA for good. That place is a dump anyways.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Passing
D. Brees 302
M. Ryan 148
Yall call M. Ryan a quarterback?
playmeortrademe
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Falcons run offense is so predictable, its silly when I can sit at home and know exactly where the Falcons will run the ball on 1st and 2nd downs, imagine what a good NFL DC and experienced linebackers know. They could probably call the play for the Falcons.
blue
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
The Defence played great really? when it was gut check time the Saints went 90 yards to when the game
Kramer318
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Tough Nolla Guy you can dream all you like but Carolina will get pounded.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Some of y’all have said this already, but I’ll repeat it anyway — this game means nothing. A win over the league’s worst team next week gives the Falcons home field advantage.
I look forward to seeing these two teams meet again in the playoffs.
D Falcons
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
This was a heavyweight fight tonight, and the Birds came up short. The defense played a great 3.5 quarters, and they got no offensive help in the second half. I’m still trying to figure out why we ran Turner to the same hole on the fumble play as we did on the first down play. If we see the Saints back at the dome in a few weeks, I think we’ll open up our offense a lot more than we did in this game. It seemed as if we were trying to win while showing as little of our offensive scheme as possible.
terry-dawg
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
Panthers have everything to lose. They need that #1 draft pick. Panthers will phone it in under orders from their owner. Congrats Falcons on NFC Champs and homefield all the way, baybee!
jack
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
clearly the NFL want to Taints in the playoff picture,, we didn’t have our game tonight,, but come on,,, dual pass interference call ??? NEVER seen that before,,,,,, pass reception,,,, “even though the ball was clearly on the ground the entire time ,,,we’re going to call it a good reception anyway !”" ,,,,,, even though his knee was CLEARLY on the ground a yard and a half shy of the first down,,,we’re going to give them forward progress anyway,,,,,,,,, We’ll kick there butt the next time they come to town,,,but tonight sure did suck !!!!
joe
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
punt on 4th down, what made coach Smith think we would get the ball back? they hadn’t stopped N.O. 3 and out in the second half. Smith needs to grow a set of balls!!!!
Falcons2010
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
“they will give it their best”
their best is about 7 points total … you just really don’t understand how bad they are
Sean
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
Actually blew out the Seahawks and Panthers (perhaps others I don’t recall)
Old Gold
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
@ GO VOLS….Filmer was a tool
CoreyC
December 28th, 2010
12:02 am
I have been a Falcons’ fan since the Bartkowski days, so I hate saying this, but, after watching the game tonight, the Saints are clearly the team to beat in the NFC. Brees is just not going to let them lose, and though the Falcons might get lucky and get to the big game, I think they still need a year or two to be good enough to win it all. But, Go Falcons!!! Great effort.
Eric C.
December 28th, 2010
12:02 am
This game was not meaningless…no game is guaranteed. if the offense plays like this again, they could easily lose to the panthers.
Dirty Bird to the End
December 28th, 2010
12:02 am
Ok guys So what now???? Whats Next for the Birds?….Myself I seen 1 to many bad calls out there…..
GTfan
December 28th, 2010
12:02 am
This win for the Saints doesn’t even matter. The Falcons win next week and the road to the superbowl goes through ATL
Eric C.
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Not only that, next week would have been an opportunity to rest players, so much for that.
SRF
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Brees is now 8-2 against the Falcons – do you really want to see them in the playoffs ?
Tough Nolla Guy
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Kramer318
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Tough Nolla Guy you can dream all you like but Carolina will get pounded.
—-
the cowboys thought they were going to pound arizona too. this is the nfl folks. the other team gets paid to play as well.
it may actually be in your best interest to lose becasue you folks have no chance in the confines of the ga dome. pressure on the team from dillusional fans and perfect conditions for the other teams that are far sup[erior to the falcons.
Saints Suck
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Saints keep playoff hopes alive by squeaking out a win in the Georgia Dome.
d-man
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Very disappointing effort by the offense. After a huge amount of hype, they really fell flat tonite. Roddy just needs to shut up and play. Bad play call on the Turner fumble. They had just been stuffed and tried to run it again. How about a play action or roll out instead of straight up the middle, which had not be successful all nite. Defense played well enough to win with just a little help from the offense. Now we HAVE to win against Carolina and it probably won’t be as easy as it sounds. Falcons need to get better in a hurry to advance in the playoffs. Good luck.
Miguel
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
vick supporter and nolla …i mean wow im just speechless at how lame and how big of losers yall are.. who gets on other teams blogs and talk smack for hours straight.. please run into a knife and dont call 911 yall suck at life and do not deserve the privledge of living..please do us the favor and leave this earth..
KimZ'spackage
December 28th, 2010
12:03 am
Go VOLS! and you are a Saints fan why? You are a fan of 2 pathetic towns teams and you are on a Falcon Blog. We don’t hate you we feel sorry for you. I mean really a Vols and a Saints fan that is just sad.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Ryan: 15-29 148yds td
PATHETIC. What happened to all that “accuracy” and “arm strength” from Ryan????
V supporter what were they thinking?
Rolling on the floor laughing my …..
Crab joe, You guys work Turner too much, but try to give the glory to ol noodle arm. Turner is worn out because hes carried this team. But you guys ignore last years mvp runner up for noodle arm ryan who couldnt hit the water if he fell out of a boat.
Pop
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
To you Falcon fans:
* Falcons are not division champs. They have a one-game lead on the Saints. They MUST beat Carolina next week or the Saints will win the division AND the #1 seed if they beat Tampa Bay next week (they will own the tiebreaker over the Falcons due to division records).
terry-dawg
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Honestly, the Falcons could not show up to the GA Dome on Sunday and Carolina would take a safety out the back of the end zone to lose the game. Carolina has something very valuable to play for, the #1 or #2 draft pick. They need to LOSE and will be ordered to do so. Watch the game, folks. I’ve seen it before, many times. That 1-15 or 2-14 team throws that last game to get that high draft pick (Cam). Congrats Falcons! NFC Champs and homefield! Yeah!
Kramer318
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
We’ll rest our guys in the 4th quarter during the blowout. And the following week. Bank on it. Stop worrying. Sheesh. Move along. Nothing to see here.
vpi83
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Coach Mike Smith blew this game. He should have not punted the ball. He choked this game away along with his offense. He showed no confidence in putting the game on Matt Ryan’s shoulders. The Falcons defense did everything to win this game. Where was the OFFENSE! Where was Matt Ryan when you needed him . . . he’s just a game manager at best so far. The Falcons offense does not strike fear in anyone’s defense . . . at least not the elite teams.
Lars
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
You guys get PUNKED in your own building…… get ONE offensive touchdown. Get TWO turnovers in the 4th quarter. Give up a 90 yard touchdown drive that took 7 min at the end of the game….and you
say this game meant NOTHING? YOU LIE… you’re gonna get Punked by these guys in 3 weeks again… your offense SUCKED, period. All night. read the stats… you ain’t ready yet…….
maybe next year.
TheAntiMe
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Saints fans are nothing but a bunch of hot air.Your great team is still 2nd to the Falcons and that ain’t likely to change. So, go ahead and talk your stuff. Talking ain’t going to get you in 1st place, big mouths.
Tough Nolla Guy
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Old Gold
December 28th, 2010
12:01 am
Take yaws no payin Arses back to NO….Eff yallk
—–
we transplants, or should I say refugees. we ain’t going no where. this is our home away from home.
neworleanshater
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Could Michael “The Burner” Turner run any slower.
Bobby
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
I moved to Atlanta just out of the Marines in 1976. And I really love Atlanta, but when it comes to football, HEY FIGHTING TIGER! and GEAUX SAINTS GEAUX!
We’ll probably see y’all in a few weeks in a rematch. WHO DAT!
hiramsaint
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
whodat– not the ‘cants
mv7southernbird
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
The falcons played, hard and strong but lost the game by not producing from the second interception, there they lost of a fantastic game , even thought we lost I am proud of the guys and there play, win it all FALCONS!!!!!!!!DOES Murlarkey still calls the plays?
GO VOLS!
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Some of you are beyond classless.
Saints Suck
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Brees is 1-1 this year against the Falcons. Brees gave away 14 points in this game. Is that what you want in the playoffs?
blue
December 28th, 2010
12:05 am
If anybody sees Roddy White or Tony Gonzalas tell them they missed the game.
J.J.M.
December 28th, 2010
12:06 am
brees 35-49…I mean goodness aint like the saints had a run game
Mark in mid-town
December 28th, 2010
12:06 am
The decision to punt was just not the smart mathematical move. The Falcons were already down to 2 timeouts. The defense had shown they were tired during the prior touchdown drive for New Orleans. To expect New Orleans to not get any 1st down was a long shot. Additionally, if New Orleans was forced to punt, there would have not been much time left on clock for Falcons. Control your destiny and go for it on 4th. Didn’t Smith learn anything from the Pittsburgh game? Even if it was the better mathematical move to punt (which I’ll never believe it was), why not still gamble and go for it? This was not a must win for the Falcons, but it sure would have been nice.
DrJ
December 28th, 2010
12:06 am
Hard fought game on both sides. Dimitroff may be satisfied with the Falcon’s running game, but I don’t see it that way. Turner’s stats for the season look good, but we don’t have a powerful running game to open up the passing game.
We had the momentum after the Abraham block and interception, but the play calling just after that was terrible…looked like we were trying to run out the clock. The Saint’s secondary must have been doing a great job as I didn’t hear anything about #’s 84 and 88 in the fourth qtr. Back to the drawing board!
Tough Nolla Guy
December 28th, 2010
12:06 am
TheAntiMe
December 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Saints fans are nothing but a bunch of hot air.Your great team is still 2nd to the Falcons and that ain’t likely to change. So, go ahead and talk your stuff. Talking ain’t going to get you in 1st place, big mouths.
——
you barely won the first game, we beat you hands down in regulation. we are in your heads clown.
you can’t compete with us. is that any clearer. after being gift wrapped a td you still couldn’t win at home.
WHO DAT 999
December 28th, 2010
12:06 am
For the 999th time … The dIRTY bIRDS are very lucky to be where they are this season. I’ve watched many a ball bounce your way. It was bound to end, and tonight was just the beginning. NO WAY you make it to da Super Bowl. That reservation, my friend, has already been made for the NAWLINS SAINTS!!!
WHO DAT, WHO DAT, WHO DAT SAY THEY’RE GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS … not the dIRTY bIRDS.
You Guys Are Pathetic
December 28th, 2010
12:07 am
You Falcons “fans” are pathetic. This team is 12-3 and still have a chance to lock up the #1 seed next week. Unreal. Solid team, solid management, and solid ownership. Tonight was just one loss. Oh, and reality check time – MICK VICK ISN’T COMING BACK TO ATL. Go root for your Dawgs and Jackets and Vols and whatever other college team you pull for, and leave true NFL fans to real cities.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:08 am
And give The saint credit for forcing a fumble. ATLANTA is so obvious. With out Turner they are mediocre. So Saint plan was easy. Stop Turner and let noodle arm beat you. Thats whats going to happen in the playoffs so get ready!
Saints Suck
December 28th, 2010
12:08 am
And this loss matter to the Falcons in the standings? Nothing! The Saints were fighting for their play-off lives and it was a meaningless game for the Birds.