On a wild night, the Falcons KO Vick and outslug his team
Michael Vick made three turnovers and left early. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Traffic congealed on Northside Drive 2 1/2 hours before kickoff Sunday night. Ninety minutes later, the line to enter the Georgia Dome was 10-deep and 10-wide. From the crush of humanity, you’d have thought somebody famous was in town.
Actually, somebody famous was. Michael Vick was once the only compelling reason to watch the Falcons, and now he’s a both ex-Falcon and ex-con. In Philadelphia he has become the polished player he never was here, and on this night Vick would oppose a quarterback who’s the pride of Old Penn Charter School, a quarterback some Atlantans insist will never be as good as No. 7.
The vagaries of professional football had kept Matt Ryan and Vick from gracing the same NFL field. When Vick played here as a reserve in December 2009, Ryan was hurt. When Ryan played in Philly last October, Vick was hurt. But now the moment was at hand, and you could have game-planned a full summer and not concocted a more loaded Week 2 collision.
The Falcons, who some have cast as Super Bowl champs-to-be, entered on a six-game losing streak. Granted, four of those were exhibitions, but the first and last of the six were troubling.
The Falcons had been embarrassed by a hot quarterback wearing green back in January, and on Opening Day in Chicago they’d been bulldozed by Brian Urlacher. They needed this game not just to prove that, almost five years after Vick had last taken a snap as a Falcon, they’d emerged from his considerable shadow; in more pragmatic terms, they needed it to remind themselves they know how to win.
Three minutes into the third quarter, the Falcons were on track to doing both. They led 21-10 largely because Vick kept giving them the ball. (With a former Atlantan working for Philly and a native Philadelphian playing for Atlanta, sometimes it gets confusing.) Perhaps trying to earn his way into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor, Vick fumbled twice near the end of the first half and threw an interception to open the second.
Down 11, the Eagles responded with a quick touchdown — the Eagles are nothing if not quick — and then Ryan threw an interception and then Matt Bosher, who punts for the Falcons, dropped one out-of-bounds at the 20. This, if you’re a punter, is usually a good thing. Trouble was, this punt plopped down on the Falcons’ 20. Soon the visitors led by 10, and that might have been that. Except for one thing.
Vick was gone. He’d been hit on a pass and driven into one of his blockers. He left for the locker room with what was described as a neck injury — as he exited, he responded to boos by pointing to the scoreboard — and suddenly a game gone wrong was winnable again. The Falcons were 10 points in arrears, but they had more than a quarter left and they were facing a quarterback named, appropriately, Kafka.
“A lot of ebbs and flows,” Mike Smith, the Falcons’ coach, would say afterward.
With 4:48 to play, the Falcons were again in front. Ryan had been having an odd game — he had thrown three touchdown passes but had dealt two interceptions and been hurried and harried — but reverted to precise form with his team under duress. His fourth touchdown pass brought the Falcons close, and then Michael Turner galvanized the go-back-ahead surge with a 61-yard burst and a scoring sweep.
A four-point lead with 4:48 remaining wouldn’t have seemed a cushion against Vick, but against Mike Kafka the dynamics were rather different. On such a bizarre night, though, it somehow made sense that we’d be handed a Kafkaesque finish. The Philly sub led his team upfield, and was it possible the fancied Falcons would slip to 0-2 having been beaten by the namesake of a famed existentialist?
Er, no. Jeremy Maclin dropped a fourth-down pass that would have given the Eagles a first down at the Falcons’ 15, and the home side had done the job. It had beaten Michael Vick’s team while battering Michael Vick, and it had won a game that filled an immense need.
“It was perseverance,” Smith said. “You can’t overstate that.”
No, you can’t. Sometimes it matters less how well you play than how hard. This was such a night. The Falcons didn’t look nearly their best, but there’ll be time enough for fine-turning. This was one of those games that had to be won by any means necessary, and it was.
By Mark Bradley
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430 comments Add your comment
BvgNeedsaHaircut
September 19th, 2011
12:09 am
Vince Young looked so bored
Redoubt
September 19th, 2011
12:10 am
The ghost of Vick has left the dome for good.
Mikey "Choke" Vick
September 19th, 2011
12:10 am
Hey ya’ll, stop complaining about me pointing at the scoreboard. At least I didn’t point my middle finger at you … this time.
P Stain
September 19th, 2011
12:10 am
Matt Ryan wet his pants again for most of the game. Seemed to get a spark when Vick was KO’d. I have never seen Mike Smith look so scared as the look he had on his face most of the game. Our defense blows and Sam Baker should be cut IMMEDIATELY!!!
buckhead benny
September 19th, 2011
12:11 am
Our new punter and Sammy “the bull rush” Baker, and Dahl’s replacement looked great. If i see Owens get burned again I am going to lose it- Maclin did him a favor and dropped it.
P Stain
September 19th, 2011
12:12 am
Spitting up blood, broke neck? Pointing at the scoreboard…RICH This was a heavyweight fight in which our light in the loafers defense somehow hung on by the tiniest fingernail. Mike Smith truly looked scared all night long. Matt Ryan had a good comeback at the end (from all his many boneheaded mistakes) It seemed knocking Vick out of the game got Matt Ryan started.That and the catch Julio Jones FINALLY made !
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 19th, 2011
12:14 am
Ryan is a class act and a leader in the locker room. He is someone who will never need to be rehabed. Vick, on the other hand, should still be in prison.
Hummon
September 19th, 2011
12:14 am
Our pass defense has been TORCHED three games in a row. The future will be bleak if this problem is not dealt with.
But it was nice to see Chris Owens make a play at the end.
Matt Ryan's jockstrap
September 19th, 2011
12:14 am
Sorry Mike Vick but you can’t hold me
GeorgiaBorn
September 19th, 2011
12:14 am
There was one common denominator with the 99% of the “fans” wearing the old Falcon #7 jersey. Just sayin.
extremus
September 19th, 2011
12:15 am
Thanks for putting my earlier comments up, Mr. Bradley; I don’t know why that happens sometimes.
Dawglasville
September 19th, 2011
12:15 am
Great win. The two 80 yard drives were great. Gonzalas was huge. Hopefully we have our edge back now. Wasn’t sure who was more likely to have a heart attack on their long runs, Edwards or Turner. Baker got his tail whipped. Need McClure back.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:15 am
It’s not often you see a team lead by 11 and then trail by 10 and then win by four. At least I haven’t seen it often.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:16 am
Me, either, extremus.
D man
September 19th, 2011
12:16 am
FINALLY, we beat those bums. It’s about time. We need to do better on defense. Baker got torched tonight and why are we still covering so loosely? Let’s try bump and run man to man…
Hummon
September 19th, 2011
12:16 am
I’m not a Vick hater, but it is interesting to watch Philly fans go through what happened here with us where he is concerned. All those thrilling plays . . . and then he’s in street clothes. This is what happens when you hitch your wagon to him.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:17 am
I will say this: Even in winning, I don’t know that the Falcons looked much like the team I thought I’d see this season. But there is, as noted, still a ways to go.
Ichabod
September 19th, 2011
12:17 am
Report says Vick had a concussion in addition to a cut tongue. Both the QBs got knocked around pretty good, glad the Falcons came out on top. Did one of our kickoffs actually go thru the endzone?
The kicking game bothers just as much as Sam Baker, but the brass doesn’t seem to mind. Anyway, pretty much a barn-burner all the way, good game to watch.
D man
September 19th, 2011
12:17 am
DREAM TEAM, NOT!!!
we win
September 19th, 2011
12:17 am
wheres mike vicks water bottle its time for a vick-tory blunt
Darth Hater
September 19th, 2011
12:18 am
A lot of people wanted to wring or stretch Michael Vick’s neck for the various, numerous crimes and bad behaviors he committed while drawing a paycheck here in Atlanta.
During tonight’s game, many of them may have finally (if partially) gotten their wish.
Selah.
(Since the video indicating Vick was bleeding his STD-riddled blood on the sidelines, I hope the Eagles trainers wore protective gloves and took precautions.)
rogerash
September 19th, 2011
12:18 am
bradley dude i believe you picked the eagles way to go haha
Ducks Quack
September 19th, 2011
12:18 am
Hey Mike, Thanks for stopping by. Now GET SOMEWHERE!!!
Loserville USA
September 19th, 2011
12:19 am
Catch by Jones changed the whole game. Fired the whole team up.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:19 am
It was a great game to watch. No so much a great game to write about on a file-at-the-final-buzzer print deadline, however. But that’s part of the deal.
D man
September 19th, 2011
12:19 am
We have got to do better on defense, try bump and run coverage for a change. It can’t get worse…
BvgNeedsaHaircut
September 19th, 2011
12:19 am
Edwards fumble recovery run made my night….straight up gassed but great play none the less
FalconFan
September 19th, 2011
12:19 am
We definitely have to fix the O-line and tweak the defense a bit but let’s give these guys time to jell. It’s only game 2. Let’s see what they’ve got. Next week is Tampa and the week after is Seattle. Then it’s another showdown on SNF against the Packers. Oh boy! We could be 3-1 heading into the matchup. Let’s stay focused and please fix that O-line! GO FALCONS!
Homer Falcon
September 19th, 2011
12:20 am
Kudos the Falcons players & coaches! They beat the Eagles AND the officials—worst /most crooked officiating in years. No one should ever question the toughness of Matt ryan after that beating.
mountain_jim
September 19th, 2011
12:20 am
Lucky to win that game. Baker, terrible. Mularkey does nothing to adjust for that, until finally he lets Matt call the plays from the no-huddle. Different, better team when Matt calls the plays. Even if they are from the same crappy and simple scheme.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:20 am
Falcons were outgained by 129 yards, not that it matters.
alpha9
September 19th, 2011
12:20 am
Garret Reynolds played great tonite Sam Baker just got owned Dahl never played left tackle…Joe Hawly played great…Dahl will be missed but Mclure is the key then hawley can slide over on subs..Please don’t make ignorrant comments.By the way Donte was supposed to have safety help and he knew it he was motionung for Sanders to come up the whole time
JK
September 19th, 2011
12:21 am
We need to fix the pass defense NOW, or the best that will happen is making the playoffs and then getting torched like last year in our first round.
Mark Bradley
September 19th, 2011
12:21 am
I would agree. The Julio Jones catch changed the game. Ryan put it up high and Julio snatched it down while being hit by two Eagles. Great play.
Rev Jim
September 19th, 2011
12:22 am
Tackling improved (not enough) but blocking got worse. Can’t win the South, much less the SB, unless we protect the QB and open better running lanes.
Sam Baker won’t be on the team next year if he doesn’t improve quite a bit.
They say Dunta Robinson is a shut-down corner, but I haven’t seen it…and the headhunting is very disturbing.
Yes, the Falcons won but, all in all, the team doesn’t seem to have their act together yet. Tonight felt…lucky, and I would rather they be good than lucky.
Loserville USA
September 19th, 2011
12:23 am
Also clear Sanders and Hayden being worked in. They were confused on some coverages — apparent on the long pass late in the 4th.
Very correctable. Both are good players. Kudos to TD.
He's Back
September 19th, 2011
12:23 am
Because of the censors on here I can’t say what I’d like to say but didn’t the Falcons score 14 points off of Vick turnovers.
Let's get real!
September 19th, 2011
12:24 am
Lets get real!! Falcons won and Vick lost!! So you Vick lovers can kiss some Dirty Bird Butt!!!
Loserville USA
September 19th, 2011
12:24 am
Also clear Baker has been getting blasted for 2 years now. Need a LT in Round 2 next year. Major need.
Thames
September 19th, 2011
12:26 am
The Vick/Ryan debate is so irrelevant. Fans of the Falcons are going to back Ryan. Fans of Vick are going to back Vick. I dont understand what is so controversial/interesting. Sports, football especially, doesn’t need these weird subplots. There is plenty of drama on the field. Just stop writing/talking about it and it really will go away. Really.
26belly
September 19th, 2011
12:26 am
@Dentster. Sam Baker had a looooooong night. Made me think of that grade school story bout the kid sticking his finger in the dike to plug the leak…..An exercise in futility!
ssaassyone
September 19th, 2011
12:26 am
Low Class Falcon Fans lets see how far they really go maybe 5-11
Jawbreaker
September 19th, 2011
12:27 am
Atlanta, as happy as I am tonight, let’s not forget before the gutsy trade to bring Vick here, you could get Falcons tickets literally for free. Vick changed that, he brought excitement and interest to the city of Atlanta for once. Atlanta hasn’t had an elite player like him since he left. I’m not praising Vick, just remembering, despite his shortcomings, what he brought to this city. Also, my mother could block better than Sam Baker did tonight. If we can’t find someone better, Ryan is going to be on IR before you know it. First thing tomorrow morning, cut Baker.
extremus
September 19th, 2011
12:27 am
Aside from helping disprove any notions that Matt Ryan is soft or unable to take punishment, this game also showed the importance to the Falcons of trying as hard as they can to once again secure home-field advantage. No, last year it didn’t help at all, but I’ll take the odds in the Georgia Dome in January as opposed to say, at Lambeau or the SuperDome. Generally speaking, as last week’s game against the Bears demonstrated, the Falcons usually have their worst defeats on the road when pitted against playoff-bound opponents; when they play those same teams in Atlanta, they at least tend to play up to their level for the most part.
Of course unless the offensive line issues are swiftly addressed the Falcons likely won’t have to worry about the playoffs. They need SERIOUS help there.
jgsbirds
September 19th, 2011
12:27 am
what was the roughing the qb call on abraham???? wow!
He's Back
September 19th, 2011
12:28 am
The Falcons won, but actually reek. I wonder if the idiot coach will make another Ford commercial. Do they not know how angry that makes the fans to lose and have that crap air. Should be in contract. If we lose, you can air that week.
Justin
September 19th, 2011
12:28 am
Our Offensive cor is terrible and we are the most predicable offense. We run the ball first and second down then get into a long third down every time. Matt Ryan had 195 yards and 4 TD that stat line is terrible. We need to take the gloves off and go Cam Newton has thrown over 800 yard in two weeks. We will win close games all day but we need to open it up.
Fred-D
September 19th, 2011
12:29 am
I am a Falcons fan but I refuse to be a Vick hater!! Tonight we all saw once again what #7 brings to the table; quick and frequent scores, but also fumbles and unfortunately for him and Philly, injury. That being said, while he was in the game Eagles +10 in scoring, but after he left -14. I feel it won’t be hard to come to the conclusion that if Philly doesn’t keep him healthy, their season may go similarly to that of another team with a bird logo a few years ago when their qb got hurt in preseason by the Ravens (a team with another bird logo) While we celebrate this win let us not overlook the fact that a 3rd string qb almost beat us!!! Somebody please consistently rush the qb, I’m starting to miss the Gritz Blitz more and more.
Monroe's first Redcoat
September 19th, 2011
12:29 am
Maybe we can round up a few pit bulls to chase Vick back to Philly……..
He's Back
September 19th, 2011
12:29 am
Vick an elite player. Let’s laugh. Lifetime QB rating of 80. Tonight 100, last week 83, 0 if he does not play next week.