Needed by the Falcons: A veteran to point the way to a title
"Super Bowl's over here, guys," says the Packers' A.J. Hawk. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
The Falcons’ season began and ended against the teams that will meet in Super Bowl XLV. In between there were 13 victories, but the failure to reach the ice-encrusted Dallas area — guess we’re not the only big-event-hosting city that can suffer lousy weather, huh? — has forced us to ask: Why the Packers and Steelers but not the Birds?
Well, both Green Bay and Pittsburgh play better defense, though the Falcons’ D looked OK until the night of Jan. 15. And Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger rank among the NFL’s half-dozen best quarterbacks, whereas Matt Ryan would be in the top 10. But a talent deficit isn’t what barred the Falcons from the game so big we needed the snooty Romans to number it.
When you send nine men to the Pro Bowl, you’re talented enough. In those 13 victories we saw the Falcons’ best players make winning plays. Indeed, seven of those 13 games were won by seven or fewer points. Note, however, that the six games the Falcons won big all came against teams that finished under .500. For all their winning, the Falcons never once played such a complete game against a brand-name opponent that you stood back and said, “Whoa — these guys are good.”
The Falcons were good, but it was never clear if they believed they belonged among the upper crust. (Believing isn’t the same as wishing and hoping.) Go back to the opener in Pittsburgh: The Steelers were coming off a non-playoff season and were without the suspended Roethlisberger, but they played with a fury. They played to prove they could win behind any quarterback. They played to prove they were still the Steelers.
The Falcons took the ball with 1:45 remaining in regulation and the game tied, but their first play became one of those hurtling Troy Polamalu interceptions. That should have been it, but Jeff Reed missed his field goal. Much relieved, the Falcons won the coin toss for overtime. They managed one first down. The Steelers handed the ball to Rashard Mendenhall and went home winners. Put simply, the Steelers were not going to lose that day no matter how many times they had to win it.
We saw the Saints similarly refuse to surrender here two nights after Christmas. In October we saw the Eagles, working behind backup quarterback Kevin Kolb, dominate from the kickoff. And finally we saw the Packers enter the Georgia Dome and score 42 points in 25 minutes.
Yes, the Falcons beat the Saints in the Superdome in September, and yes, they had beaten Baltimore and Green Bay here in November. It wasn’t as if they couldn’t compete against the big boys. But you could see in those four losses a palpable difference: The teams that beat the Falcons played faster and hit harder. They weren’t any more gifted, but they acted — apologies for the cliche — as if they wanted it more.
Which sounds silly. Why would a team good enough to win 13 games not want to win a 14th, a 15th, a 16th? But the commodity still lacking in the Falcons is the veteran of championship portfolio — in the NBA, that player is known as “a James Posey,” in reference to the sub who has won with Miami and Boston — who can show his mates how it’s done.
Asked if he feels compelled to add such a player, general manager Thomas Dimitroff responded via e-mail: “It would be nice to have [that] as an influence, but [it] won’t be the driving force if we feel the talent is better with somebody who hasn’t won one.”
Then this: “It surely is on our mind.”
It needs to be more than a thought; it needs to be the priority. Of those nine Pro Bowlers, not one has a Super Bowl ring. (Mike Smith does, but a coach can only say so much.) It’s time for the Falcons to start carrying themselves like the champions they can be. It’s time for Dimitroff to find his James Posey.
OK, and now you’re asking: Who’s out there? Well, the Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour is scheduled to become a free agent. (This assumes the coming lockout ever ends.) He played at Georgia. He won three Super Bowls as a Patriot. He’d do.
By Mark Bradley
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230 comments Add your comment
Jake Wolfe
February 4th, 2011
10:43 pm
Man,comon for real?!??!First you talk about that we need youth on D but now your saying we need guys that are about to retire?!?! HIPPOCRATES!!
Jake Wolfe
February 4th, 2011
10:46 pm
It dosent matter whether there young or old…..We need guys that can play and we need to have a good gameplan when facing good teams!!The reason the steelers have been good,is because they have a good game plan PERIOD!!
DrJ
February 4th, 2011
11:03 pm
TD has said repeatedly that he will build the team thru the draft. Has he said something different recently? He did well getting Gonzo. Then panicked when he checked out our secondary, and shelled out big-time on Dunta, who has not lived up to his reputation. Whoever we get, I sure hope they are really big, tall, and fast, and not injury-prone. Regards the Packer game, I think our guys were too busy congratulating each other on making the pro-bowl, and suddenly the game was out of hand. But we’ll learn from mistakes, and keep getting better, just like the last several years.
FalconsFan284
February 4th, 2011
11:25 pm
Darnell—–I’m going to take your first comment, about the retard in the White House, as you being sarcastic. A good President would never seize control of the auto, banking, healthcare and housing industries just because it fits his purpose. No, a good President would look at what has worked throughout History and use that knowledge to lead. Hell, this guy couldn’t figure out what to do with a little oil spill. That is unless turning down 28 countries with experience in cleaning up such skills counts as figurring it out!
As for the article, not bad but a little short on possible veteran free agents that could help this team. I’ve suggested going after Osi Umenyiora and one of the Jets free agent wideouts; possibly Braylon Edwards would come a bit cheaper.
Tehbuzz
February 4th, 2011
11:51 pm
Darnell…..keep politics out of sports please and by they way, YOUR President (I didn’t vote for him so I don’t consider him “my” President) is FAR from the best the USA ever had. He couldn’t hold Reagan’s jock strap.
YOUR President has tripled the debt in just 2 years that it took Bush (whom I have no love for either) 8 years to do. He forced a Health care bill down America’s throat we didn’t want, and he apologizes every chance he gets for America which is suites him b/c he hates America anyway.
Anyway…..back to the Birds……
fanATicaL
February 5th, 2011
1:13 am
Me I think that Darren Sproles would be a great change of pace back.High character guy ,who would pass the Falcons lockerroom test.He would also be in our price range.Next move alittle more difficult to make.
I like Mathias Kiwanuka he can play DE and OLB .He is quick enough to sack the QB from either position.Again another character guy and in our price range.Also allows us to let Jamal Anderson go and maybe one of the backend LB’s.Robert James or Spencer Adkins and yes I know he just got a new contract.
Next move is a timing move .Between free agency and the draft.The speedy WR problem.Vincent Jackson would be lovely.But would he pass the character test ? Would he come cheap enough ? probably no on both counts.But If San Diego releases Malcolm Floyd .He could make the team.Steve Smith from the Giants is another slot reciever.That would be a great pick up.
Don
February 5th, 2011
8:40 am
Tony G. has all the credentials of the veteran gamebreaker the Falcons need, but he was not used enough in critical situations, especially in the games they lost. Let’s hope he stays around long enough to take us to the SB.
old man
February 5th, 2011
10:17 am
FalconsFan284 & Tehbuzz:
I doubt I agree with you guys on much of anything outside the Falcons. But the rule about no politics isn’t promoted when you give us a political essay on domestic policy and explain why you disagree with some numbskull who violates the rule. Ninety-nine percent of the posts just IGNORE those who obviously have some kind of agenda.
People on left and right are tempted to respond to the obvious race and political baiting that sometimes pops up. It’s like dealing with a little child who tries to get attention by breaking the rules. If you just ignore and go on, they eventually stop. If you react, they just post another message.
old man
February 5th, 2011
10:20 am
FalconsFan284 & Tehbuzz:
First round pick or trade down and go free agent, I don’t care. But if you had to pick one position, and one only, which do you pick for the impact player we need? Remember, just one.
old man
February 5th, 2011
10:21 am
I say RB, BTW.
old man
February 5th, 2011
10:27 am
MB, as draft day approaches, my query above might make for a good poll:
“Via draft or free agency, which SINGLE position should be the first priority in seeking an immediate impact player?”
chickenman
February 5th, 2011
11:07 am
Simple. Either move up to get a playmaker or go sign Asomouhga in f/a
D man
February 5th, 2011
11:13 am
I think we need a DE, CB and a veteran to kick some tails on the sideline and in the huddle.
D man
February 5th, 2011
11:15 am
Does anyone else care to watch the superbowl tomorrow? I don’t. First time ever I can remember that I don’t care to watch the superbowl.
Raiders’ Seymour A Good Fit For Falcons? | Sports Journey
February 5th, 2011
2:28 pm
[...] Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out strong Georgia ties for the veteran defensive lineman and suggests he could be a good [...]
Jake
February 5th, 2011
3:29 pm
Man,im only a freshman in highschool,not one of those crappy high schools….THE MILL CREEK HIGH SCHOOL,BEST IN GA,and i can write better stuff than this!!!Veterans are good for the team but it dosent matter if they are a veteran or a rookie.Seymore had 5 sacks,48 tackles,and 0 forced fumbles.Robert Quinn UNC,6-5 270,11 sacks,2 Forced fumbles,86 Tackles.READ IT AND WEEP!!!DRAFT ROBERT QUINN!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuKdkjZf5uk
SAINTS LSU
February 5th, 2011
9:08 pm
Superbowl Saints 1 Falcons 0 the Saints will another superbowl before the falcons win there first one
JDAWG
February 5th, 2011
10:13 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/02/05/atlanta-falcons-2010-season-review-offense-edition/
A-Ville Ranger
February 6th, 2011
2:13 am
We need some kind of homerun threat on offense. As good as White Gonzo and Turner are they’re all possession type players. Iaw something in the Pro Bowl I’ve suspected as well. Ryan doesn’t have the arm to be a deep threat QB.
The only attempt he made over the top was 3 seconds late and 7 yards short. Maybe saying White is a possession receiver is unfair. It could be Malarkey is masking Ryan’s limitations.
If this is the problem we need to find a breakaway back. If Ingram’s still around when we pick I’d snatch him up. That is unless there’s a really explosive pass rusher available.
Call Mr. Fix It!!!
February 6th, 2011
8:55 am
The Falcons lack DOMINANCE!!! We’ve been trying to fix this defense for years now. They have never had a history of drafting defensive guys that can take over a game. They need their own Ray Lewis, Polamalu, James Harrison, had a chance to get Matthews last year but didn’t. In other words, guys that are NASTY and will knock the snot out of you. Well we did have the Hammer, but how long ago was that? Like Warren Sapp said on 790 the zone…”The Falcon’s Defense Doesn’t Scare Anyone.”
MathMan
February 6th, 2011
9:03 am
MB, anyone who has played the game of football knows that there is a rhythm to the game. The single best example is if you look at the history of the Steelers (my hometown team) when Chuck Noll became coach. HIs record was abysmal during the first three seasons, not so with Mike Smith. Terry Bradshaw was being called “dumb” by your peers in the sports press, not so with Matt Ryan. Their were questions like “can they beat the Raiders” and for the Falcons, can they beat the Ravens? Then WHALLA, the Steelers start to beat the hell out of every and anybody. Now scribes such as yourself call the Steelers a “model organization”. What you can’t see is that Dimitroff and Smith are ahead of Noll’s schedule and very few appreciate was has been done and what is in the making. There is going to be a Super Bowl trophy in Atlanta in the next 36 months!!!
FALCON FEVER
February 6th, 2011
9:32 am
We will continue to RISE UP! and the Falcons will make the necessary moves to make that next step, and this will be the song we will be rocking all next year, all the way to the SUPERBOWL! Get yours now on I-TUNES……http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPqx6nRYnpU
FALCON FEVER
February 6th, 2011
9:33 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPqx6nRYnpU
Get it on I-tunes NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FALCON FEVER
February 6th, 2011
9:34 am
We will continue to RISE UP! and the Falcons will make the necessary moves to make that next step, and this will be the song we will be rocking all next year, all the way to the SUPERBOWL! Get yours now on I-TUNES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPqx6nRYnpU
drmondo
February 6th, 2011
10:07 am
I see Deion made it into the HOF…as a Cowboy. We put up with his 1/2 a season football- 1/2 baseball while batting less than his weight garbage and he goes in as a Cowboy. Not feeling the love he professed to have for this franchise.
Richard Seymour may land with the Falcons | Pro Football Zone
February 6th, 2011
2:57 pm
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a great story on why Seymour would be a good fit for the Falcons. [...]
Ringless in Atlanta
February 6th, 2011
10:50 pm
FAILCANTS need more than a leader…you need identity and a tradition of winning big games…your pathetic franchise has neither…or, nothing more than an above average regular season….in other words, you will always date Jan and never Marsha….but, my Saints will win number 2 before you win your first…if you ever do, which I doubt….
Stay classy,
Your Who Dat friends
hawesg
February 6th, 2011
10:58 pm
Carl Nicks is available as a Free Agent. Beats the desiccated remains of Randy Moss…
joe
February 7th, 2011
6:42 am
watching the super bowl last night it struck me that even though the teams didn’t play very well they both had playmakers on both sides of the ball. That’s something you can’t say about the Falcons.
Martin
February 7th, 2011
7:19 pm
Richard Can’t Seymour. C’mon man……31/32 and not a good fit for Atlanta. Besides the Raiders didn’t win a ring this season. Let sleeping dogs lie