I asked, ‘Why no buzz for the Falcons?’ Here’s what you said
The rookie Julio Jones makes a buzz-worthy entrance. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I’ve been hearing rather less about the Falcons than I thought I might, and much of what I have heard has been negative. So I got to thinking: Where’s the buzz about these Birds? And then I thought, “Maybe it’s just you. Maybe there’s this huge buzz you haven’t heard because you’re off listening to your warped vinyl records.”
So I asked. In a blog post on AJC.com Wednesday morning, I invited readers to tell me if such a buzz existed, and if not why not. And the results were overwhelming — 400 online comments in 4 1/2 hours, dozens of emailed responses, plus Facebook postings and Twitter tweets — and instructive.
From Paul Lipsey via email: “Thought you’d made a wacky assumption this morning, but I see nothing in the first hour of comments to indicate that you’ve made a mistake. No screeching outrage from the Falcon flock? I’m flummoxed.”
So that made two of us. The obvious next question: Why aren’t you buzzed?
From Tom on AJC.com: “Because the thought of Michael Turner running for two yards a carry and the defense getting repeatedly smoked does not make one excited.”
From Matt from MN on AJC.com: “Because the thought of another year of Mike Mularkey in charge of Matt Ryan and the offense is just too much to bear.”
From Derrick on AJC.com: “The reason for the lack of buzz goes back to that embarrassing playoff loss. It sucked the air out of our fan base.”
From Fred-D on AJC.com: “It’s a combination of both the Green Bay game and not trusting them to win big when they should.”
From Micky Woolsey via email: “The fans just don’t trust the Falcons because of the past. I have to admit that, even though I think they are the best team in the NFC, I still have doubts.”
From HJones on AJC.com: “I am 65 years old and lived in the Atlanta area all of my life. I have seen all of the bad times and the supposedly good times. I don’t have faith in the current Falcons to play at the high level required to win the BIG games.”
From JSS on AJC.com: “They are the NFC’s version of the Chiefs. No one except for the diehards or those just like long-suffering Cubs fans put much trust in them. When they finally win a title, it will be more of a relief than a feeling of honest elation.”
We pause to note: The Falcons were 13-3 last season and were the NFC’s No. 1 seed. They got blitzed by Green Bay in the playoffs, but the Packers did win the Super Bowl. The Falcons have added Julio Jones via the draft and Ray Edwards via free agency. A good team would appear to have gotten better on both offense and defense. Does glory not await?
From nickpaste on Twitter: “The Packers, Eagles, Saints, Patriots, et cetera, temper our expectations. ”
From jamaaliver on AJC.com: “Philadelphia signed the bigger names in free agency. A lot of the pundits are picking New Orleans to win the division.”
From NorthGANole on AJC.com: “Buzz usually comes with added personnel … The only major acquisition that was made [outside of draft picks] is Ray Edwards and we haven’t seen him play yet.”
From Mark Teems on Facebook: “Falcons starters are great. The rest of the team keeps losing preseason games.”
From Big Ray on AJC.com: “True diehard Falcon fans are excited. But even we were burnt by the loss to Green Bay. We’ve got to win that first playoff game under the Dimitroff/Smith regime.
Many respondents pointed, with cause, to causation: The lockout diverted our attention, and the Braves captured it. And we tend to pay attention to college football around here. And it is still preseason.
From Ronald D. Willard via email: “The vast majority of reasonable fans understand that this team is in such good hands that there is little need for hand-wringing … It is simply too early to get excited or worried. You know that Dimitroff, Smith and the players will be well prepared and will give us the maximum effort at all times. Their efficiency has both spoiled us and given us a sense of security that long-time fans have never had the luxury of enjoying.”
From Jason Reittenbach via email: “My prediction: If we beat Chicago in Week 1 and then have Vick and prime-time TV coming in Week 2, the excitement will be through the roof once again.”
On those cheery notes, I’ll end. But not without saying thanks to everyone who responded. I’m in your debt.
By Mark Bradley
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194 comments Add your comment
Stinger2
August 25th, 2011
4:57 am
I and msny other GT fans prefer to get our “buzz” from the GT Yellow Jackets. The UGA fans prefer the “Dawgs” by far over the Falcons.
Stinger2
August 25th, 2011
5:00 am
I have just made two responses that were not posted. Why?
FalconUGAFan
August 25th, 2011
6:03 am
@bigeasy830
Gotta give you props. I do remember you coming on here and ripping the Falcons…and to be honest, you were usually on point. But at least you have the cohones to come back and give credit where it is due. Ryan had nothing to do with Vick. Vick did himself in and people just need to let it go. Usually coming on here is a waste of time, but you deserved it.
rainman
August 25th, 2011
6:37 am
I think we see the secondary getting torched again!
Willie Coyote
August 25th, 2011
7:20 am
What annoys me is that when the “experts” bring up teams that could challenge the apparent juggernaut Philadelphia Eagles, they bring up the Packers (understandably) and the Saints (who isn’t the best team in their own division).
If the Birds are aggressive on offense, there will be not a lot a defense can do to stop them. If they have an improved pass rush, the coverage of the DBs will all of a sudden look spectacular.
My only cause for concern are the two coordinators. Let’s hope they bring it this year.
GO Birds!!! To hell with the rest!!!
dean
August 25th, 2011
7:34 am
101st!
I stand by my comment on yesterday’s question to fans.
Kane337
August 25th, 2011
7:48 am
After UGA loses it’s first 2 games maybe some of you so called “college fans” will turn your attention to the Falcons. Not sure why college football is so big in Georgia. It’s not like UGA has done anything since the early 80’s.
Atticus
August 25th, 2011
8:04 am
Mark, these aren’t a true sample of the fans and you know it. The true fans are the ones at the games and in the regular season. There is a lot of buzz at everyone i talk to, about Julio Jones and Harry Douglas and Weatherspoon and Will Moore. Matt Ryan is great, Turner is healthy, we got Ray Drew…..are you kidding me, no buzz?
Yes the loss in the playoffs hurt, especially how bad it was, but this franchise is set for years and believe me they will have a lot of explosive plays.
Falcon Josh
August 25th, 2011
8:14 am
Love that 790am saw this article for the crap that it is this morning.
Dontavius Supremo
August 25th, 2011
8:15 am
History is a heavy burden, and no team has a history more burdensome than the Falcons. History says you can always count on one thing from this franchise: They WILL let you down.
bitter dawgs fan
August 25th, 2011
8:15 am
790 the zone talk jocks——————its all about SEC football—–loosers————wake up
———–6-7 gt football drew avag——52,000 fans for there home games——
———————last time falcons were 7-7——-they drew 22,000 for home games
———————————-tech is loved more than falcons——-and tech is 4th behind
—————————–uga—-bamma—tree killers—–all-burn—- pay for play
Escaped from Email Purgatory
August 25th, 2011
8:36 am
The Falcons play in a really tough division. New Orleans is generally our equal, with a superior QB; and Tampa Bay has improved tremendously with Josh Freeman as QB. I think they’re primed to challenge anybody in the division.
Like’s been said many times on this blog, we have no quick strike capability. Is that the fault of Mularkey’s cautious play calling or Matt Ryan’s tentative nature and scattershot accuracy, or both?
And we’re only human. How can you not think about how Green Bay absolutely shredded our secondary last year in the playoffs?
The Birds under the Dimitroff / Smith regime have brought consistency to the franchise. For that I’m happy and grateful. But we were not a thirteen-win team last year – we proved it when GB came to town and thoroughly whipped our butts.
Maybe our defense will be better this year. Maybe the high draft picks we’ve been accumulating will all be healthy for a change.
Maybe, maybe, maybe.
That’s why my Falcon fever is tempered.
Born&RaisedInAtl
August 25th, 2011
8:40 am
Mark Bradley you suck! Always have and all of you phony fans get the hell out of the city! I’m 32 years old and I have been behind the Falcons since I was a little boy, thru the Bartkowski and White Shoes days and the terrible Smith Family regime, the highs and lows of Michael Vick and now the perennial playoff contender we have now. While I don’t condone the playoff loss to Green Bay, I’m still psyched about our team and its direction. I wish there was another Newspaper in this city so Bradley would be forced to actually do some real writing. You are the white Terrance Howard and the city will be better off when you are gone. Schultz is more credible anyway!!!
Elton
August 25th, 2011
8:46 am
The reason there is no buzz for this team is simple. First the total breakdown against Green Bay, there is no personality on the team, Chicken arm Matt Ryan is overrated, they are good enough to win games in the regular season but don’t have it in them to win the big game. Just one playoff game even after having home field advatange.
Elton
August 25th, 2011
8:49 am
790 am crew are nothing but homers and the reason Matt Ryan is overrated in this city. They are just so happy now that ole blue eyes is running the ship they can care less about playoff wins or championships for that matter. Just as long as Matty has a wining record that way they can justify his take over for the great Mike Vick.
Carpetbagger
August 25th, 2011
9:02 am
My father, who is from Wisconsin, used to tell me how the Green Bay Packer fans of the 1960s said that they needed Johnny Unitas as their QB. This is just usual fan talk. However, 790 is more than fan talk… they are the homer and Blanc prop station.
Mr Charlie
August 25th, 2011
9:03 am
There is no buzz on the AJC because DOL is pretty much over his head in his assignment. It took a month of camp before he mentioned who was hitting, who the rookie free agents were, reported anything beside what people were “saying” about Julio…..And for Ryan? Well, he pretty much has the best regular season record any QB has ever had after 3 seasons. That speaks for itself.
Winning in playoffs is not that hard, getting there is much harder. My guess is Ryan will QB 10-12 more season, probably have 7-8 more playoff appearances, and will probably win a few games there too. Overrated? Hardly.
Mr Charlie
August 25th, 2011
9:06 am
The only thing great about Vick is his potential.
As I remember, he went 1 and done in the playoffs to. This season? lol, I give him and over under of 9 games started. He did look pretty impressive against the steelers.
robdawg08
August 25th, 2011
9:13 am
The real answer is fans have no confidence in the Falcons defense. Especially the 3rd down defense. The Falcons offense is very good. But the pass rush and coverage on WR’s just isn’t there.
J
August 25th, 2011
9:17 am
cause we all know the ‘cons or ‘ cants are straight garbage always wetting the bed when the bright lights are on. bunch of country bumpkins who can never make the big leap.
J
August 25th, 2011
9:19 am
Winning in playoffs is not that hard, getting there is much harder. My guess is Ryan will QB 10-12 more season, probably have 7-8 more playoff appearances, and will probably win a few games there too. Overrated? Hardly.
——
OMG what a douche bag.
What?
August 25th, 2011
9:23 am
1 of your last 10 “articles” is about the Falcons. You are an idiot, thank god the newspaper business is going down.
Elton
August 25th, 2011
9:30 am
Let’s wait and see how chicken arm does against that Steelers defense on Saturday. That is what he will be facing in the playoffs. I personally think he is a overrated average QB. Flaccio, Sanchez, Bradford are all better but don’t get have the hype he gets. But we all know why he came in and cleaned up the image for the Falcons if he can only now get the big wins then the excitement will come. For now all he does is say the right things and manage games while Turner, Roddy, Jones, Douglas, and Gonzales do all the work.
Nativebird
August 25th, 2011
9:34 am
40+ years of mediocrate does not just go away with a few winning seasons and a blip super bowl appearance. It will take a lot more consistent winning and playoff threat to burn that label. re: Sports Media? Well, careers are made off predictions and supposed intelligence on camera; NO ONE is going to hang their hat on the Falcons, not for awhile. Too risky.
robdawg08
August 25th, 2011
9:36 am
Homor Elton, its Flacco.
E-From Riverdale
August 25th, 2011
9:37 am
Thanks Extremus. I really enjoyed reading your comments and you nailed the problems with the Falcons and the Falcons fan base. The question is this the last year Blank will tolerate let downs by Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey? and how much longer will the Gm and Head Coach attempt to hide or ignore the problem with Mularkey?
Cannonball Butler, Ray Easterling, et al
August 25th, 2011
9:38 am
I remember the Hecker years, the Campbell years, the Dan Henning years……I’m absolutely STOKED
for the Mike Smith years !!!!!
GO BIRDS !!!
robdawg08
August 25th, 2011
9:38 am
Mark, I apologize to you. I see why some people should be banned from blogging. Like What? and Ted DiBiase above. Complete turd lickers.
Cannonball Butler, Ray Easterling, et al
August 25th, 2011
9:39 am
Also, Elton…..stop with the drugs, dude. It’s affected your brain
1eyedJack
August 25th, 2011
9:39 am
Show me.
TSA Screeners = Losers
August 25th, 2011
9:41 am
Falcons home games are an excellent opportunity for local law enforcement officials to serve outstanding warrants in one convenient location.
1eyedJack
August 25th, 2011
9:42 am
“I remember the Hecker years, the Campbell years, the Dan Henning years……”
Yeah, me too. Hey, who was that guy we had one year that looked more like an accountant than a football coach? Bald head and glasses?
Mr Charlie
August 25th, 2011
9:42 am
Elton, I agree the Steelers are always a good test to see where your QB really stands, hence MV7 3 picks….que the excuses in 3-2-1….And yes, Ryans greatest strength is managing the game and getting the balls into the hands of his playmakers. Kinda sound like Joe Montana to me.
robdawg08
August 25th, 2011
9:44 am
Born&Raised, if you are 32 then you would have been born in 1979. So you watched Bartkowski play when you were 2 and 3 years old ? Wow ! You’re some kind of genius. Most 2 years-olds don’t even have the awareness yet to even watch tv.
Mr Charlie
August 25th, 2011
9:46 am
E, The falcons went 13-3 and got a bye. They lost in the playoffs because our defense collapsed. Just what did our offensive coordinator do wrong? You don’t like HOW we got to 13-3?
Brave Hokie
August 25th, 2011
9:47 am
{To me} it is easy to understand the lack of Falcon fan exuberance…
They just simply have not built up enough result equity over 40 years, regardless how much the owner, GM, coaches, and players make it appear that things are looking ‘up’…
Everyone is waiting the other boot to come down on them, like the Packers did last Jan.
That, and ~ win a frigg’in preseason game, no matter how much they don’t matter {someone has to win, why not the Falcons?}
Mr Charlie
August 25th, 2011
9:47 am
1eye….You talking about Marion Campbell 1.0, or 2.0? And, let not forget about the Glanville years, and the California trophy.
1eyedJack
August 25th, 2011
10:02 am
Mr Charlie, I googled it. Pat Peppler…..forgettable.
PMC
August 25th, 2011
10:07 am
Whatever, Falcons are going to the NFC championship this year. Period.
Durrrrty Bird
August 25th, 2011
10:08 am
I’ll say this, I’m very excited for this season. But my lasting two memories from last year are losing the HUGE Monday Night Football game at home to the hated Saints and getting blown out in the playoffs. I have the utmost confidence in this team, but I know the this wasn’t as good as the 13-3 record. The Falcons are a great team, but I need to see them win in Chicago Week 1 and BEAT THE EAGLES IN WEEK 2.
That game against the Eagles is going to be one of the biggest games in franchise history. A true measuring stick of this team’s ability and potential. They’ve got to stick to it to Vick. I still root for the guy (sometimes). I want the Falcons to take down the NFL’s version of the Heat on national television and put a notice out to the NFL that they are for real this year and all that Green Bay playoff loss did was light a fire.
Can’t wait to see Edwards this weekend. Excited for the improved defense and explosive offense. Go Falcons!
PMC
August 25th, 2011
10:08 am
The Green Bay game is over. Last year’s team is over. Stop bringing it up.
PMC
August 25th, 2011
10:09 am
you can forget that game because the Falcons beat them in the regular season. Go back and focus on some of the great wins, you’ll be happier.
Moondog
August 25th, 2011
10:14 am
I am, for one, excited about this team. After going 13-1 last year I think the Falcons filled some of the holes from last year. I think the D-line (if they stay healthy) could make a huge difference which will make the secondary’s job easier. Julio will just add to an already top-notch corp of receivers. But, the primary reason I’m excited about this team is that I am excited about the ownership and management of the Falcons. We’ve known we have one of the best owners in the NFL and after the Vick/Petrino debacle, Mr. Blank went out and hired a great young GM and a rock solid coach in Dimitroff and Smith. These guys are going to put the Falcons in the Super Bowl–will it be this year? Who knows? But, these guys will continue to bring in the players that can get it done. I think the Falcons future is very bright!
Joe 12-Pack
August 25th, 2011
10:16 am
One other factor in regards to last year’s 13-3: Many of those wins were Lady Luck wins.
If Roddy White had not caused a fumble of an interception vs. San Fran that game was over.
The Saints kicker missed a 29-yard field goal in overtime.
The bizarro Kroy Biermann pick-6 against Cleveland that could’ve easily been dropped.
They could have started 1-4 and gone downhill from there.
How much luck will they have this year?
PMC
August 25th, 2011
10:17 am
you are, what your record says you are and you make your own luck.
Section 321 Season Ticket Holder
August 25th, 2011
10:36 am
I’m very optimistic! The Falcons are in great hands! Arthur Blank has done a heck of a job building the front office and Dimitroff has done a great job drafting/signing the right players. Dimitroff was cut out of the same cloth as Belichick and isn’t about the hoopla in signing in big name players, like Philly, and fans need to understand that! We have a motivated, calm and collective group that realizes they’re still a long ways from where they want to be and that a lot of work needs to be done. Please don’t let all of the Vick supporters in this town warp your brain into thinking we aren’t behind this team 110%!!! See you in Indianapolis!!!
My 2 Cents
Section 321 Season Ticket Holder
August 25th, 2011
10:40 am
@Joe 12-Pack… Every team has to have a little luck in order to win. If Desean Jackson was tackled and didn’t run back that punt return to beat the Giants, the Packers wouldn’t have made the playoffs and never had a chance to win the Super Bowl. Lady Luck my arse!
Ted DiBiase
August 25th, 2011
10:49 am
robdawg08
The Falcons are in the best shape they’ve ever been in since they joined the NFL. We have the right owener, GM, coach, QB, etc. in place to be a winner for a long time. Anyone that thinks differently is an idiot. Only retards read Bradley’s blog for good insight, he is a no talent a$$ clown, along with everyone who agrees with him. ^_^
StungByAYellowJacket
August 25th, 2011
11:25 am
I agree with what one poster has already mentioned, The Falcons and Bullpuppies both have similar dilemma’s, the first couple of games could really decide what way the fanbase will go, and could perhaps be the mental motivator that could decide whether the team is going to the next level. The only difference is that the Bullpuppies have a more wide spread fanbase that will support them because of all the college football history in the State.
Gulch Tailgater
August 25th, 2011
11:38 am
I will have a “Buzz” after tailgating and after the Falcons whip some butt!!
Please leave your half Falcon, half Philly Vick jersey at home!
RISE UP!!! Real Falcons Fans
Vick fans move to Philly!!