All-Falcons Heat Check: Try putting some Matty Ice on that
Turner the Burner aloft. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Our weekly Heat Check is devoted to the winner of a game so wild you’d have sworn the winning team couldn’t get out of its own way — right up until that moment when it, er, won the game.
Matt Ryan: I’m thinking those who likened him to Peyton Manning had it wrong. Ryan is more Ben Roethlisberger — a quarterback who doesn’t make every play but makes the big ones — than the essence of precision. We saw again Sunday night that Ryan can look pedestrian for whole quarters at a time. Thing is, not many of those substandard quarters are fourth quarters. Heat Index: Who needs a hot QB when you’ve got Matty Ice?
Michael Vick: Technically he no longer plays for the Falcons, but he gets grandfathered into our ratings because … well, because I say so. His three turnovers put the Eagles in position to lose, and then he put the Eagles in position to win. And then he left with a concussion and the Eagles lost anyway. And not many folks in the Dome seemed to be cheering him, which had to sting. Heat Index: Pointing toward the scoreboard to answer a shower of boos is rarely cool — less so when that scoreboard winds up showing that your side lost and you weren’t around to see it. (But at least he pointed with his index finger, if you students of Falcons history get my drift.)
Michael Turner: Sometimes you wonder why the Falcons keep handing the ball to this guy. Then he bursts through the line and you remember. He’s kind of an oddity himself — a power back whose biggest plays come on long runs. Heat Index: He’s the Burner, remember?
Tony Gonzalez: I admit it. There was a time last season when I thought he’d lost a step. Can’t say the notion occurred last night. Heat Index: Caught more passes that the Falcons’ starting wide receivers combined — I’d call that a hot night.
Julio Jones: He caught only two passes, but the third-down catch when the Falcons trailed by 10 points was the night’s biggest play. Had to jump, got hit by two Eagles, still hauled it in. Heat Index: More soothing balm for those who thought Thomas Dimitroff overreached on Draft Night.
Sam Baker: Speaking of first-round picks by TD the GM … here’s one that doesn’t look so hot. Baker hasn’t yielded all nine sacks posted by the Falcons’ first two opponents, but it does kind of seem that way. Heat Index: Bakers are supposed to be skilled at regulating heat, are they not?
The defense: It made some plays, yes. Just not very many. The Falcons have surrendered 61 points in two games. That’s not new-and-improved. That’s not-even-as-good-as-before. And the Eagles’ last good surge failed not because of anything the Falcons did but because Jeremy Maclin dropped the ball. Heat Index: Coordinator Brian VanGorder’s temperature has been known to rise. I’m guessing it’s at, ahem, fever pitch.
Dunta Robinson: I’m sorry, but that was a penalty. He seems to get those against Philly. Heat Index: The NFL might bring some heat Robinson’s way, in the form of another suspension.
The punter: His name is Matt Bosher. He punted out of bounds on his own 20. That takes some doing, but I’m not sure it’s something that should ever be done. Heat Index: Let’s just say he’s not the next Matty Ice.
Mike Smith: Give Smitty much credit for the intransigence displayed by his men. (More than anything, intransigence won the game.) But if the Eagles’ final heave had bounced the wrong way, we’d have wondered how the Falcons took the ball with 1:41 remaining and Philadelphia down to its final timeout … and still wound up punting to DeSean Jackson and having to defend a pass from beyond midfield. Heat Index: It’s not often the deployment of the fall-on-the-ball Victory Formation can go wrong, but this bit of time mismanagement came perilously close. A bit more coaching cool is advised.
By Mark Bradley
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180 comments Add your comment
Curt
September 19th, 2011
11:02 am
Offensive:
some very poor offensive play calling except for very early in the game and very late.
Problem is the coordinator does not adjust.
Sam Baker on his heels too much. He just seems slow and weak.
Need to throw deep more than once a game; especially when the safetys roll up to the line.
Defense:
Way too much zone defense and it seems every team knows exactly what the Falcons defense is doing.
Defensive players are good so the problem must be the coordinator.
Dunta Robinson is exception to the good player statement. How many times do we have to see him chasing recievers down the field. It is obvious who other teams think is the weak corner when Dunta’s name is called so often. How many times did we hear Grimes name called defending a pass? Very few…..
GTT
September 19th, 2011
11:03 am
Would you say that with Vick in the game, the Eagle offense is stylized?
John
September 19th, 2011
11:05 am
Congrats on the Falcon win, but everybody knows if Vick would’ve stayed on the field they lose…He left the field up by 10, and rarely had a 3rd down on his touchdown drives. He was a man playing sandlot football with the Falcons defense.
Lank
September 19th, 2011
11:06 am
JLC, LMAO. I was worried Tony G was suffering from dimentia when I saw that. Maybe he is and just forgot that he is older now and had an awesome game.
Jeff
September 19th, 2011
11:06 am
Time to get rid of Vangorder. He is not an NFL coach. Send him back to college where he belongs.
Treeofwoe
September 19th, 2011
11:09 am
Oh yeah…how many more days til we hire another punter / kickoff guy. Bosher doesn’t look like he could punt in college much less for an NFL team. He’s gonna cost us a game if we don’t upgrade that position and quick. He only kicked it INTO the endzone twice. ONce just inside the line and the other out the back but only after getting an extra 5 yards on a penalty? Muffs a punt? Please stop the madness front office.
avee
September 19th, 2011
11:09 am
What was that take a knee stuff on our last possession? Was that to play it safe and reduce risk of fumble or worse? Bah. Should have handed the ball off 3 times to Turner. Would have eaten up more time and might have gotten a first down. All the take a knee accomplished was force a rookie punter to kick to DeShean Jackson around midfield and still leave Philly with time to run a couple of plays. Horrible play calling.
That one-handed grab by Tony Gonzalez for a TD was one of the most amazing catches I’ve seen in a long time.
teamguy
September 19th, 2011
11:10 am
Here’s another question for you guys: Do you think 680 will still have Dan Reeves on their show with Buck & Kincade since he said what he did on Saturday? I don’t know about you, but I lost all respect for him for saying such an idiotic thing.
sam
September 19th, 2011
11:16 am
Matt Bosher needs to be replaced. When you can’t kick touch backs off 35 yds, you don’t belong in NFL. What’s up with Weems not catching the ball inside 20!!! Does he think it’ll automatically go in to the end zone for a touch back?
Just Looking
September 19th, 2011
11:22 am
ugly ugly win last night. I fear a bad season. Mike Turner will have to be relied upon too much which will wear him down again and pretty much end his career. The oline is horrendous. The defense is horrendous. Lucky VIck got hurt or this would of been a lose. This does not look like a playoff team and we gave a way draft picks. We probably should of got a Oline guy instead of JJ. He is a terrible route runner and by the time he learn to run routes Matt Ryan might be down with this oline.
Herschel Talker
September 19th, 2011
11:24 am
Lank/JLC:
Please explain your Tony Gonzalez joke for us folks not in the know. Thanks.
HT
Just Looking
September 19th, 2011
11:24 am
got a win but ugly game..Oline and secondary is horrendous. Gave away too many draft picks. JJ is a terrible route runner. Matt be crushed by the time he learns.
Who Me?
September 19th, 2011
11:24 am
Agree with Jeff. BVG’s time in the NFL has come and gone. He’s gotten us this far, but he’s officially being outgunned and outschemed. Our 4 man front was a joke most of the game. I thought the Eagles defensive set was far more suited to the NFL, and so apparently does T. Cole. The guy was a beast – but then I thought that was what Ray Edwards and John Abraham were supposed to be for the Falcons. What gives? They get their props, they had a good game, but I felt like the Eagles D was much more aggressive.
Mr. Swamp People
September 19th, 2011
11:35 am
WHO DAT! GEUAX SAINTS! GRIS GRIS
Lank
September 19th, 2011
11:46 am
In the starting lineup videos when the players were saying their name and college, Tony Gonzalez said “I’m Tony Gonzalez? University of California?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdvwEjnlzOE
Lonegunwoman
September 19th, 2011
11:47 am
It was an UGLY win, but a win. There are so many things the Falcons did poorly that I can’t believe we won. I am so thankful we did though. The whole game I kept thinking the same things: .
1) Matty Ice earned his name taking hit after hit and continued getting up and playing his game. I LOVE THAT GUY!
2)F***in’ MIchael Vick, fumble, fumble, interception, injured….followed by showing his tail to the fans… that’s classic Vick for you.
3)We don’t need sucker shot players on our team. That head leading defensive hit the Falcons were penalized for was earned. That guy is playing like a thug and its not good for the team.
I love the Falcons and watch every year. This year looks to be an interesting season.
GO FALCONS! Clean up and play your game.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
September 19th, 2011
11:47 am
Got to say that I like Dunta Robinson, and I like that he will hit people even if its “illegal”. Dude, its football. I know what the league now says, but that was a heck of a hit and it put the fear in those boys. Could it be that footsteps heard caused that 4th down pass to be bobbled? I think so.
I want our D to be feared whether legal or illegal. We hit people hard and I want other teams to fear that. Maybe we got in their heads a bit.
Keep smacking people Dunta.
chargodfrey
September 19th, 2011
11:49 am
You’re wrong about Matty Ice. He is like Peyton. Go back and look at the success ratio of offensive plays comparing Mularkey in charge of play calling (totally predictable and occurs in slow motion) vs. Matt Ryan (totally UNpredictable and happens very fast catching the Defense off guard) . We look like 2 COMPLETELY different Teams. Sometimes seemingly complex problems are real simple to solve.
Joe Tess Fish House
September 19th, 2011
11:51 am
Part 2
Donto Roberson is a cheep shot artitist and an embrassment to the Flacons. It is time 2 cut him and stop the penaltys that hurt the team.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese
September 19th, 2011
11:54 am
Keep Hitting REAL Hard Dunta.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
September 19th, 2011
11:54 am
Come on Joe Tess Fish House, that hit was hard nosed football. Its not a cheap shot. The league has just lost its nerve. Thats how you play the game. Dunta may get fined or even suspended, but he’s a keeper on my D if I’m coaching. Receivers know they are going to get hit. That’s good.
nathan
September 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
Congrats on the win, Falcons! If you wanna win more, here’s what you need to do:
Bench/Replace:
Robinson
Bosher
Baker
More PT for:
Rodgers, Snelling
Relieve of duties:
Mularky
Van Gorder
Thanks, Santa!
Dawgwild
September 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
So glad Vick’s gone! What a thug, class-less, dog-killer!
Buckeye
September 19th, 2011
12:06 pm
Damn. I went to bed after Q3 but I checked Sports Center at o’dark thirty before the dog got fed………….
Go Falcons
Go Matty Ice
Buckeye
September 19th, 2011
12:07 pm
I will continue to be a Vick fan. But I hope we don’t see him in Philly in January!
nathan
September 19th, 2011
12:07 pm
More…
-I thought Dunta led with his shoulder pads, not his helmet…however, he didn’t even ATTEMPT to wrap-up…
-the middle of the field on defense was WIDE OPEN all night, that zone scheme (along w/BVG) has got to go…
-Weems, AT LEAST fair catch the ball, do NOT let another ball hit the ground, EVER
-shoulda had the TE help Baker doubleteam Trent Cole…adjustments, guys!
nathan
September 19th, 2011
12:10 pm
oh, don’t forget, we were GIVEN a turnover on that “interception”…not only did the corner drop the ball, so did the refs!
all I remember is
September 19th, 2011
12:10 pm
`
NBC Sport’s know it all Cris Collinsworth is annoying and irritating.
DJ Sniper
September 19th, 2011
12:14 pm
1. Please remove all play calling duties from Mike Mularkey. Even Trent Dilfer mentioned last night that the offense works better when Matt Ryan is running the no huddle. Mularkey’s offensive schemes are not getting it done.
2. Don’t just fire Brian Van Gorder, but ban him from the premises altogether. This guy has no business whatsoever coaching an NFL defense. He has no clue whatsoever when it comes to adjusting his defense when the initial game plan isn’t working. Somebody please get rid of the soft zone coverage asap.
3. Take Sam Baker out back and shoot him. A franchise left tackle he is NOT. For two weeks in a row now, he has been flat out abused by the opposition’s best pass rushers; first Julius Peppers and now Trent Cole. Every time the ball was snapped, he was moving backwards. Of course, Mularkey didn’t do him any favors by keeping him in 1-on-1 matchups instead of putting a tight end or running back over there to help out.
4. Scour the waiver wire, the street, or something, and get a new kicker. Matt Bosher has to have the weakest leg of any kicker in the league. I think only 1 of his kick-offs has been ruled a touchback. All others have been returned. Other kickers are booming kick-offs out of the back of the end zone, but not him. Field position is important.
Ted M
September 19th, 2011
12:15 pm
What did Dan Reeves say on 680?
WoW
September 19th, 2011
12:18 pm
Sam Baker is just terrible. I have watched him now for years and I just dont see any improvement on his pass rushing skills, blocking skills, feet placement, nothing. He may be better as an inside guy where you can contain better and not have to worry about pass protection.
Nativebird
September 19th, 2011
12:18 pm
Well, as I had expected, so far haven’t seen ANY of last week’s Vick Love Fest Sports-press retract their statements on how Atlanta was going to “cheer” for Vick and welcome him back “home”. I was there: Atlanta Falcon Fans BOOOOED Michael Vick so MERCILESSLY like I’ve never heard in the Dome. This franchise-wrecker is Persona Non-Grata in this town WITH OUT A DOUBT. Period. And you will never hear this from the Press….ever. It doesn’t fit their “Narrative” of Race, hate, culture, tragedy and “redemption”. Atlanta didn’t quit Vick….Vick quit Atlanta. And that is the ugly truth.
Kelvin Frazier
September 19th, 2011
12:21 pm
Vick fumbling the ball. That’s the Vick I remember. BTW, when Vick left the game he wasn’t point at the scoreboard. He was pointing at his parole officer who was there at the game cheering for him wearing a No. 7 Jersey.
Samuel
September 19th, 2011
12:22 pm
Mularky is too conservative, he needs to do better at play calling. Also get your speed players out in space so they can make plays. Is Mike Smith having these conversations with his offensive coordinator? I think the coaches need to be held more accountable.
Joe Tess Fish House
September 19th, 2011
12:23 pm
Part 3
If Vick had not of been injrued by a cheep shot and had 2 leave the game the Eagels would of had won.
M
September 19th, 2011
12:27 pm
Last time I checked Vick didn’t play on the defense so how does Vick going out of the game cause the Eagles to lose Sunday night?
MG
September 19th, 2011
12:34 pm
Last time I checked Vick didn’t play on the defense so him being knocked out of the game had nothing to do with the Falcons scoring to win in the 4th quarter. Eagles just got beat plain and simple.
Mr. Dawg
September 19th, 2011
12:46 pm
Claiming that the Eagles would have won if Vick didn’t get hurt is like saying the Falcons would have won easier if Ryan had a more powerful downfield throwing arm. Vick’s style of play pays big dividends as long as he is healthy. His style of play along with his lack of size makes staying healthy much less likely for him than other quarterbacks. When Vick is your quarterback you take on a greater inherent risk. It’s part of the package. Congratulations on a big win Falcons!
Ivan
September 19th, 2011
12:47 pm
The Vick fans should be thankful he left the game injured. Otherwise, he’d have coughed up the ball even more.
Oh well. Maybe he’ll actually get tough enough to play in the NFL one of these days.
Falcons win and sit at 1-1. The Bucs better be ready.
Heath
September 19th, 2011
12:49 pm
One of these days JTFH is going to post something with, say, 1/3 of the words spelled correctly and we’re all going to die of a heart attack. Vick fans make me smile.
jarvis
September 19th, 2011
1:01 pm
Sto saying “if Vick hadn’t gotten hurt”…..he didn’t pull a hamstring. He got his ding dong knocked into the ground again and again and again. He took an assbeating and it finally caught up to him.
OC/DC Dinosaurs
September 19th, 2011
1:08 pm
Here’s what missing with the Falcons. It is a coaching ATTITUDE about “take no prisoners”, scoring, and winning the game. Compare our “kneeling” end of game management at 1:41 left with Green Bay’s aggressive play calling on their own 16 yard line with 3:09 left in the game with the Panthers. Green Bay was ahead 23-16, and on first down FROM HIS OWN 16, Aaron Rogers throws a pass for a 84 yard touchdown sealing the game. The Falcons are afraid of their own shadow because of the coaching staff especially on offense. We should have tried to make a first down.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 19th, 2011
1:13 pm
If,if,if. Thats why the game is played, to create the if’s. Good game Falcons.
Thank You Vick
September 19th, 2011
1:16 pm
Thank you Vick. Without your timely turnovers, the Falcons may not have won.
ATL Fan
September 19th, 2011
1:22 pm
It appears to me that Vick has been coached on what to say and how to say it in interviews. He speaks with more maturity…And then he lets his actions speak even louder.
Funny thing about scores on scoreboards, until the game is over, they can change.
Terry
September 19th, 2011
1:31 pm
Same Vick that he was with the Falcons, he holes the ball out while running down the field, and it gets slapped out of his hand. I don’t know how many times that happened when he was our QB. The Eagles Fans need to get uses to Vick being hurt, nothing changed there either, don’t hate Vick just not crazy about a running QB, they are more prone to be injured before the seasons over. Better hope that backup QB is good, because he’s going to play a lot.
IliiniDawg
September 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
Dunta = Deangelo = overhyped, overpaid, preening prima donna, who makes as many “bad” plays as good ones.
I’ve seen enough of Duntangelo. I’ll order another Brent Grimes instead. He may be a midget, but he plays clean, fights hard on every play, doesn’t draw attention to himself, and oh, gets interceptions – something that is sorta one of those things you want your CB to do.
Eric
September 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
All these people saying we won because Vick got hurt are out of their minds. Last I checked Vick doesn’t play defense and the reason we won is because MR and the offense finally got their act together and had two 80 yard TD drives late. The Eagles backup still got them a TD and moved them down the field just as well as Vick would have. Also, Maclin would have dropped Vick’s pass as well.
We won this game with heart and guts and sometimes wins like that can propel a team (see “fluke” win at NO last year)…..
John Dance
September 19th, 2011
1:43 pm
Vick’s performance last night pointed out why Atlanta is much better off without him. If you’re going to wear a number seven jersey to the dome, please be sure it’s the current team. They bought him, they own him.
Barry
September 19th, 2011
1:44 pm
Hey Y’all:
A wel fought game. We hung in there until the end. But we need to be careful. We need more consistance on offense and defense. On offense, we need more creative plays that make yardage. We also need Sam baker to learn how to block. He is going tp turm Matty Ice into Joe Thiesman.: Remember “The Blind Side”. On defense, we need to sack more. We also need are D-Backs to cover better. They giv too much space to the opposing receivers. They need to practice the coverage, tackling, and stripping skills. We need to do all of this in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”.
All in all, this was a “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” win . We all loved it. Now it is on to the next game. Remeber , One Game At A Time” on our way to the Super Bowl!!!!
LET”S GO FALCONS!!!
“WE RISE” IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………………………” ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!”………………………