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
whodat70816
December 28th, 2010
12:25 am
The road to the Super Bowl will only go through Atlanta if they get pass M. Vick!
Can you say 1 and done!
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:27 am
“The thing is the Saints game planned to stop Turner, and when they did Mularkey never adjusted.”
Hell out side of turner and white what else can they do? Gonzalez is a dinosaur. Ryan has a noodle arm. This is a weak team whos now hoping to beat the worst team in football to claim a championship. Thats not how you claim a title.
Vick Just showed you how to do that .
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
12:27 am
I guess Ryan didn’t have any “ice” in his veins this week
greatgameplan
December 28th, 2010
12:28 am
No, opening the playbook in a completely, utterly, obviously, undeniably MEANINGLESS game would be dumb. Smith kept our good players on the bench for about 30% more snaps than normal. That alone tells you he knew the key to this game was to: 1 – LEARN as much as possible for an almost certain future game with the saints, and to not REVEAL much of our playoff strategy. Playoff strategy MUCH different than regular season, (especially in a meaningless game). and 2 – DON’T GET ANY INJURIES. Mission accomplished on both fronts, and heck, the Falcons still almost won the game and the defense definitely won the battle on the line! Great game for the birds ’cause no one got hurt. Wish orleans had been able to beat the Ravens (like the Falcons). Would have been nice to finish off Monday Night Football with a meaningful game for both teams.
TheAntiMe
December 28th, 2010
12:32 am
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.
============= ====================
You seem to be quite a bit on the delusional side, Nolla. So we just barely won on your home field by 3 points, but you crushed us on our home field by the same 3 points. Also, when I look at the standings I see the Falcons in 1st place and the Saints looking up at the Falcons – who, you Dats know very well are going to be the division champs and the #1 seed in the NFC come this time next week.
You talk a good game but that doesn’t change the facts. If talking got you championships then the Saints would have won the Super Bowl back in September but, fortunately, it just don’t work that way. Maybe you should be medicated? Who knows, Who Dat, it just might help you see reality instead of what you wish was reality. Just a thought.
Will_J
December 28th, 2010
12:33 am
I just got home. What? Falcons lost?!? Oh, that’s right…..yawn…..this game meant nothing. Yawn……going to bed now. See y’all in the playoffs. At the dome. After a first round bye. For a real game. yawn…sooooo sleeeeepy……………
Will_J
December 28th, 2010
12:34 am
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….
Congo Square...WHO DAT?!
December 28th, 2010
12:39 am
“This IS NOT A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM one round in the playoffs and they are done!!!!!!!!!”
_____________________________________________________________
Pretty much. Some of you should probably go kill yourselves NOW.
DAWG FAN
December 28th, 2010
12:40 am
So, Smith’s strategy was to not reveal playoff strategy and avoid injuries? Then why play Ryan at all? He played not to lose, and he did. Otherwise, it was an anemic offensive performance. The defense blitzing was fantastic, except Brees stepped up in the pocket and our defense kept overrunning Brees. Brees made the plays while Ryan took the sacks. Granted Brees made two bone-headed throws that were intercepted, but Ryan looked like his feet were in cement when standing in the pocket. Brees scrambled, rolled out and made the throws when it counted. The road to the Super Bowl may come through Atlanta, but if the birds play like they did tonight, they won’t be going.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Take a close look at today’s game and I believe there is pretty good reason to feel a bit more confident. As long as the Falcons can play decent next week and beat Carolina . . .they win 1st Place in NFC South and Home advantage. Folks . . ..this was a tough game between two very good teams!! Maybe we can second guess now and say the Falcons should have run an O more like they did against the Ravens . . . .but remember – the Saints Rush D had been suspect. They played great tonight. Now looking at the game. Our D played well. Heck – Brees is always going to get some yardage and move the ball. But bottom line . . . only one pass TD and two earned Ints from pressure. The D played a great game and showed me a lot. The offense did not perform up to expectations . . . .. and I’ll give the Saints D a lot of props on that. So if these two teams meet again . . . .. I expect another tough, close game . . ..with more points. Who will win?? I will be rooting for the Falcons . . . but I see it as a toss-up.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 28th, 2010
12:53 am
Vick Supporter . . . .what a bore. The Saints played great D just as the Falcons did. Ryan will not be able to always lead late 4th Qtr drives for wins . . . . .but the Falcon fans know there always is a good chance if we are within 7 points. Just the way things went today. Falcons had opportunities but the O could not get it going. At times it looked like they may . . . .but it just didn’t happen. The team is 12-3 and no matter what will have the best record in the NFC . . . .now here’s hoping for a win over Carolina and home field. It is always nice to beat great teams like the Saints . . . .. but very, very difficult to sweep them!
RMikel58
December 28th, 2010
12:53 am
If you think the Falcons thought this was a meaningless game youre sorely mistaken. They dont need to learn anything but an old fashioned butt whipping and who’s their daddy. Saints Defense psyched out the Atlanta offense from the git-go.
Afraid to run the ball , catch the ball. That fat joker Michael turner is so fat that down at the goal line he had to drop the ball to keep his pants from blowing at the seam. Roddy White heard foot steps all night and punked out catching the ball. Talk that smack somemore Roddy.
Go ahead and tweet somemore when you get home. Hard to make a catch on a real defense isnt it? Ask Tony Gonzalez how sore he is. Mediocre team just got spanked by a superior Super Bowl Champs. Maybe i’ll paste a picture of the Superbowl Ring and send it to Roddy White.
Your QB isnt Drew Brees and scrambles like he’s had several knee surgeries. Your Defense can barely arm tackle. Your Zone Defense is pathetic, hell i could drive a semi truck through it. Tonights lesson was Drew Brees 101. The stats show it, the score shows it and though you may have home field advantage youre still a fluke in my book.
We made the STATEMENT
whodat44
December 28th, 2010
12:57 am
Coulda, woulda, shoulda…blah, blah, blah…FAILCANTS are FRAUDS…all that smack talk and couldn’t back it up….once a loser, always a loser…..win a Lombardi and then you can talk…until then, stfu….who dat, we dat, you ain’t dat and neve will be….pretenders….stay classy, FAILCANTS…
Once "Recent" Reader
December 28th, 2010
12:58 am
It’s hilarious reading these blogs and watching how fickle the mob can be. One thing about Matt Choke Ryan/Vick Supporter / Joe Tesh and the like . . . ..they are consistent on their criticism of Falcons and Ryan. I know it sucks to lose . . ..but I really saw a lot from our D today and a pretty tough game between two very good teams!! We had our chances to amass a larger lead, but just didn’t happen. We can now again begin to trash the O Coordinator for his game plan . . . . .but remember, these Saints had just been killed by Ravens on the ground. And we did a very good job running against them the first game. We are 12-3 . . … and good shot for 13-3. Just a hard fought game and the Saints came out on top in a close one.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 28th, 2010
1:04 am
WhoDat . . . ..I’m a fan of the Falcons . . . but originally from New England and a long time Pats fan . .. .if you want to yip and yap about Super Bowls . . . . .oh I mean singular Super Bowl . . . that’s fine. Congrats on the win last year . . . …but boy do I regret actually quietly rooting for the Saints last year due to 2000s Pats/Colts rivalry. The Colts fans definitely handled winning their SB a lot better on the blogs.
RMikel58
December 28th, 2010
1:15 am
Saints have got your number Falcons. Barely won in overtime had it not of been for that missed FG you yourself would have been swept. We were not at full strength but tonight was. You were at home undefeated, infront of your fans, millions of viewers saying to themselves ” Falcons really arent that good afterall”.
Just admit it…… The better superior team won tonight.
Overrated! Outcoached! Outplayed! Cant have all the advantages and not win? Gosh gee better go back to the drawing board and think of a better game plan. 50 Blitzes and only 1 sack. No hitters on your Defense but alot of arm tacklers. We gave you 7 points and the lead but yet your Def. Coordinator loves that Zone of yours and yes so do we.
We tried to give it away to you Atlanta but you didnt want it.
Oh yeah and we’re undefeated at your Dome. Gosh how many excuses can you come up with for losing? None. It wasnt just your Offense that couldnt get started, your Defense gave us 1st downs. Pierre Thomas bolting thru the line and your DB’s not tackling would just bend down and touch him or just fall on him after he was down.
Should just call your Defense the “Dirty Chickens”.
Too scared to tackle so they grab at clothing instead. We didnt need to blitz because our front 4 was putting pressure all night on Ryan. But it took your whole team on every down to get pressure on Drew. Then almost every down he made you pay for it.
Now thats a real QB with a real Offensive Line. Dont go running your mouths like Roddy White did because you played against real men tonight and Super Bowl Champs.
But we sure do love the dome there in Atlanta. Hope to see you in a few weeks and put you back in your place again.
TCCB
December 28th, 2010
2:35 am
@You Guys Are Pathetic: Michael would not come back to Atlanta for nothing in this world and that is Atlanta’s lost. Philly on the other hand knew exactly what he could add to that team and they will make it the SUPER BOWL just you wait and see. I pray that the EAGLES don”t make to Atlanta in the playoffs, after the game today the EAGLES would only add insult to injury!!!!!! This team will never beat the EAGLES with MICHEAL VICK AT THE HELM!!!!!!
JSS
December 28th, 2010
5:13 am
@ ORR…
That is some insightful writing… We had the same conversation before about this issue. I just stand to the side and watch… Get some rest, Happy Holidays!
JSS
December 28th, 2010
5:20 am
@ Davenpoop and other rational bloggers…
Can I start calling “It” the “Mike Mularkey Blogger” or the “Mike Smith Blogger yet?”
That guy is hilarious when gets a bone and start gnawing on it! Oh yeah, just for old times sake: “Willie Maartinez!” P.S. He’s coaching at the Fiesta Bowl!!! LMAO!!!
Falcon Decatur
December 28th, 2010
8:59 am
The truth is the Falcons played a great game. This was the trap game we all was talking about against the Saints. So if anyone gamble in this game, you should have tune in to NFL Network. I didn’t lose my mind this game, stay health, and destroy the North Carolina Panthers and clinch the South Division. Only thing the Saints can do, is hope that North Carolina Panthers can beat the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday at 1:00p.m. I don’t think so, great job giving them the game. I am looking forward to a beat down of North Carolina next Sunday. GO FALCONS!!!!
live tyler
December 30th, 2010
7:38 am
[...] Live from the Dome: The risen Falcons eye their culmination – Atlanta Journal Constitution (bl… 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 … Dec 27, 2010 6:29pm [...]