Live from Tampa: Former punter says Falcons weren’t fun
Michael Koenen as a Falcon, here kicking a Georgia peach. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Tampa — Michael Koenen used to punt for the Falcons. Now he works for Tampa Bay. Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune asked Koenen to compare and contrast cities. In shocking revelations, Koenen declared that he prefers Florida oranges to Georgia peaches and that Atlanta has worse traffic.
Asked about Mike Smith, who coaches the Falcons, and Raheem Morris, who coaches the Buccaneers, Koenen said: “The atmosphere is way different … Up there, it’s a lot tighter. There is a little more nervous energy, but here it’s light-hearted and just fun energy.”
Wow. Who knew the coach who bears a passing resemblance to the comic/actor/author/musician Steve Martin wouldn’t be a wild and crazy guy?
Then again, Koenen can afford to crow — a bit. By way of a different comparison, he seems the greatest punter in 21st Century Falcons annals. Koenen left as a free agent and was lavished with a $19.5 million contract by the Bucs. Through two games, Koenen is seventh among NFL booters in yards per punt and third in net punting.
The Falcons, meanwhile, have deployed Matt Bosher, who enlivened last week’s festivities by punting out of bounds on his own 20.20-yard-line. (The Eagles would score to take a 10-point lead.) Bosher’s numbers: Next-to-last in yards per punt, 26th in net punting.
And now you’re asking: Do I, keen analyst, believe this game will be decided by punting, net or otherwise? No. I like the Falcons to win for a rather basic reason: They’re the better team. That said …
It has been raining for the past hour and the field is so wet nobody has ventured out to warm up. (Not even the punters.) This could be one of those slick-ball turnover-rich extravaganzas, which means: Don’t even bother trying to handicap it.
So I won’t. I’ll turn it over to you instead. I’ll be here all game, and I welcome your input. (Oh, and here’s an actual bit of pregame news: Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas is inactive; Mike Peterson starts in his place.) Join me, won’t you? See which punter walks off with bragging rights!
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,825 comments Add your comment
7, See ya.
September 25th, 2011
8:09 pm
It’s true Hirams ain’t
Gerald
September 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
The Falcons should have kept those draft picks. The irony is that the Chiefs took a WR, Jonathan Baldwin from Pitt, with the same pick that they traded to Atlanta. But really, the Falcons SHOULD HAVE taken Derek Sherrod at #26, who can play OG or RT. They could have gotten Greg Little, a very good WR, in the 2nd round (which is who the Browns took with the Falcons’ pick).
CHOKE RYAN SUCKSSSS
September 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
MRS CHARLIEEEEEEEEEEEE
HA HA HA
True Falcon Fan
September 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
The most boring team in the NFL have four primetime games this season. Go Figure, you morons. Only the best team get those games. You girly men, don’t have a clue about the game of football. Chances are ,you never played a down in your life at any level. Go Falcons!
drmaryb (*_-)
September 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
Emotions!
Who is the troop rallying emotional leader on this team? Who is that guy – on this team? We look & play so flat this season, thus far.
Let’s Go!
Just a Fan
September 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Gonna be a long season
Arthur
September 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Thank God, I played the odds, lost no money on this one! Hate to bet against my own team, but mama did’nt raise a fool.
GT GRAD
September 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Poor OL play and key drops by receivers prevented Falcons from winning.
Loserville USA
September 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Still
at Houston
at Detroit
at New Orleans
GREEN BAY
NEW ORLEANS
5 guaranteed losses. That’s 9-7 and home for January. Next?
Atl > who dat
September 25th, 2011
8:13 pm
new orleans was lucky to beat houston! Atl will beat the saints in the dome big time! Atl is winning this division, not who dat—take dat to the bank!
FugitivePoet
September 25th, 2011
8:13 pm
Mr. “Sour Grapes” Koenen.
falconfan 24-7
September 25th, 2011
8:14 pm
@ hiramsaint,
Dont’t pull a disappearing act like you did last year, when the aints started losing . The Bucs always kick the Aints ass in their dome.It is a long season hero!
bigdave
September 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
DawgNole..
i still dont know about that. Chargers have been in SD since 61′ Falcons didnt start football til what 65..66? Rockets were there as well as Clippers.. Rockets won in Houston.
http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201109/not-cleveland-americas-longest-sports-losing-streak-actually-belongs-san-diego
dean
September 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
@ Detroit a guaranteed loss? I don’t think so.
Little Jimmy
September 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
Well I’m happy we didn’t roll over and die on this one. I was extremely concerned coming out of halftime. Not sure what happened that caused Matt Ryan to actually trust his WRs, but we need more of that or else we’ll get killed with this cover 2 crap the Bears and Bucs killed us with.
Arthur
September 25th, 2011
8:16 pm
Rebuilding 2012! Accepting apps.
dean
September 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
Mark, I know you’re doing the postmortem, but Why/Why Me has got to get the permanent ax. Never have I lost my cool until that racist chump said what he/she said.
Loserville USA
September 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
First correction Smitty needs to make.
Throw the ball 15 times less. This is ridiculous. We’re trying to change the whole way we play football. Ball control through the air does not work. Plus, it exposes offensive lines.
This is a terrible organizational decision.
falconfan 24-7
September 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
The Falcons are still the defending NFC South Division Champions, choir boy.It is our division again for the taking. Go Falcons.
Coulda , Shoulda. If a bull frog had wings, he would fly.
elephanthead
September 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
Now that I have calmned down a little, some objective analysis:
1- Defense actually played pretty well right up to freeze play, but Tampa is a second
rate offense. I shudder to think what Rodgers and Brees are going to do to them. To me,
their defensive problem is the scheme BVG runs. I would love to see them ditch the 4-3 and
go with a 3-4, which is an attacking defense rather than a read and react.
2- For as much as he frustrates me, Ryan is actually a pretty good QB. You say he looks scared?
Well, you would be too if you had to rely on that bunch of stiffs on the OL for protection. He
looks a lot like Bartkowski did (yeah, I’m old) in his first days when he was running for his
life every down – not to mention the 2 knee surgeries he had. He turned into an all star when
they started using prime draft picks on guys like Mike Kenn and Warren Bryant.
3- Which leads me to say the un-sayable. What has Dimitroff accomplished in his player
selection? Can you name more then 4 guys he drafted that are providing quality minutes,
much less impact? Eh? Thought not. It has been apparent that the OL is a disaster waiting
to happen (to the QB), but he mortgages the next 2 years to go up and get Julio. I love the
guy, but he cant catch the ball 40 yards downfield if Ryan is getting hogtied by DEs. If you
have a top notch OL, you can get by with average skill talent – see New England. I question
TDs talent assesment and judgement.
4- Sam Baker is a guard, period. I have never seen a guy more consistently off balance and
out of position. I bet he staggers from side to side and spontaneously falls down walking
up his driveway. He has to be replaced before we end up playing the rest of the season
w/ Redman as the starter. Reynolds, Johnson, or whoever – dont see how it could be much worse.
Ignore the Saints trolls – if you had to live in a craphole like NO where people pi$$ in the streets
like dogs, you would be bitter and psychotic too – pity them, dont hate them.
Matt Ryan's jockstrap
September 25th, 2011
8:21 pm
Dayum, Matt, you stink worse than I do. Will you stop wetting on me.
falconfan 24-7
September 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
Well said, Revenge. I concur.
Peyton Manning
September 25th, 2011
8:25 pm
What a waste! Did you really write a story on an idiot kicker. Are you kidding me.
bad draft
September 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
trading all those picks for julio jones–a good but not great receiver—big mistake. They should have used all those picks on defense, which is terrible.
Tony in Johns Creek
September 25th, 2011
8:27 pm
Got a big problem. we should just wait until the next draft b/c this defense is not physical, can’t get a sack to save our life…. the only real hitter on our D is Robinson. WE can’t stop the run….. period. our front 4 isn’t getting it done and the Gloriously vaunted Brian Van Gorder refuses to BLITZ A QB that ISN’T ACCURATE. WE TOTALLY OUT TALENTED THAT TEAM ON OFFENSE AND HAVE A FAT SLOW RUNNING BACK AND A VERY UNCREATIVE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR WITH TWO ALL WORLD WR ON EACH SIDE. the OL isn’t blocking… because we don’t have a back that can get past the line of scrimmage with ANY BURST. slow and plodding isn’t getting it done. we need a different RB for this new offense. someone with size and SPEED. not small and speed and FAT AND SLOW. Was NORWOOD totally ineligible to still CONTRIBUTE? No quick slants over the middle with two all world WRs….. NO EXCUSE to lose to this team with all heart and NO TALENT on offense. PERIOD. Our defense isn’t good.
Falcons Fan
September 25th, 2011
8:27 pm
I’ve been a fan forever…but this team stinks! There are WAY too many issues that will prevent us from a post-season appearance…that is just the TRUTH! All you kool-aid drinkers need to wake up…these birds aren’t flying!
Moorman
September 25th, 2011
8:27 pm
All atlanta wanted to do this year is not lose to mike vick. Now that they done that, they back to being who we thought they were, the foulcans……
Matt Ryanna
September 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
I am not feeling so fresh, after that gang banging I just took from the entire Bucs team. I liked it. That was the best D I have had in a while. I need a Massengill and a bubble bath.
take it from me.
September 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
you have to be able to run the ball vs tampa bay,m tuner had a paltry 20 yards no womder we loss’ed!
John Rocker
September 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
For the record. The Dream, Yellow Jackets, Braves (Friday) and Dawgs all won this weekend. Atlanta, would be a better city, if all the idiot transplants left.No team wins every game they play.
RB
September 25th, 2011
8:30 pm
There was no guarntee the Falcons score if they get the ball back. Judging by thier play they probably would not have scored.This team is not that good and will be the future door mat of thier division. I’m a Browns fan and I thank TD for all the draft picks. Seemingly one of the teams needing them more than Cleveland is Atlanta.
Lwville Guy
September 25th, 2011
8:31 pm
Falcons Fans can’t stand the truth…..Atlanta really does suck. Soon as I can sell this house that’s worth less than my car, I’ll be out of this hell hole.
hiramsaint
September 25th, 2011
8:32 pm
drmaryb- hows that dogs azz looking about now hehehehehehehehehehehe! @ 24-7 i’m always here and i don’t recall hearing from you before. maybe you don’t count?
loserville
September 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
who chokes more in atlanta—braves or falcons?
hiramsaint
September 25th, 2011
8:36 pm
failcans- e-z
Freddie The Great
September 25th, 2011
8:36 pm
@ tonyin johns creek
What game was you watching.?The Falcons Defense held the Yucs scoreless in the second half. The Defense played a solid game. Clearly, you haven’t grasped the game of football.
Are you one of those miserable transplant that is off and on the Falcons bandwagon from week to week?
bart
September 25th, 2011
8:39 pm
Coach Smith is Mr conservative – the Falcons will never reach the top with him running the show.
I don't know
September 25th, 2011
8:39 pm
We can’t block.
Ryan has happy feet.
Turner runs on his tiptoes.
We can’t tackle.
We can’t defend the pass.
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
I would chew the o-line’s arse off and fine them for qb hits.
I don't know
September 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
make that *find* them
it's too late
September 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
they’ve forced me to drink.
antichoker
September 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
Matt Ryan bomb to Julio Jones had too much air under it. Less air under the ball and Julio Jones walks into the endzone, touchdown.
Ryan got to get in sync with Julio speed, too many miss opportunities.
The incomplete pass Ryan threw to Jacquizz defend by Lynch was another terrible choice when he had Tony G. busting open for touchdown.
What happen to Falcons run game. Turner was a no show, too many indecisive runs from Turner.
Maybe Snelling or Jacquizz numbers should have been called more often. It was obvious from start of the game that Bucs focus to stop Turner through the tackle runs by crowding the scrimmage line.
Jacquizz on the edges was the anecdote against Bucs style of defense play today.
Must admit the Bucs defenders got away with a lot of defensive holdings are Falcons receivers would had more of a monster game performance.
Falcons should have won this game. Especially the way Packers and Saints are playing. The Packers coming to town in two weeks and then facing the Lions at Detroit.
Yea, Ryan need better synergy with his receivers.
When Turner choose to dance in the backfield looking for holes instead of making one then he need to be replace by Snelling or Jacquizz.
Murlarkey still show no imagination in his play calling. He is so dull, no innovating plays with the speed back Jacquizz.
Moorman
September 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
Falcons would be 0-3 if vick hadnt got hurt…..
Matt Ryan wears a dress
September 25th, 2011
8:41 pm
Seeing Matt Ryan in the fetal position wetting the bed every week is getting old. This team sucks.
Mike Smith is a coward
September 25th, 2011
8:42 pm
This team plays scared, just like the coach. I am sick of this swiss cheese defense ! Why did you not GO FOR IT, Mike Smith !!!???!!!
Macon Falcons fan
September 25th, 2011
8:43 pm
I wonder why Blank keeps Coach Smith around when there are so many that could do a much better job but all they get the chance to do is post on this blog.
Josh Freeman
September 25th, 2011
8:44 pm
I feel like playing another game. I can’t even tell i played today. I feel fresh and clean. Wish i could play your sorry, heartless team every week.
Macon Falcons fan
September 25th, 2011
8:47 pm
“Falcons would be 0-3 if vick hadnt got hurt…”
A statement not based on facts in evidence. I got so tired of hearing that all week. If Vick hadn’t gotten hurt, he might have laid the ball on the ground 2 or 3 more times. He might have thrown another pick. He might have just quit like he did when he played here.
McCoy rallies Browns past Dolphins 17-16 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
September 25th, 2011
8:47 pm
[...] Live from Tampa: Former punter says Falcons weren’t fun [...]
Freddie The Great
September 25th, 2011
8:47 pm
@ hiram saint
You was a no show on this blog when Seattle blew out the Aints in the playoffs. Also when the Bucs beat the Aints in Week 17, you pulled a disappearing act.. Dont lie. You are never around when your team loses. You only appear when the Falcons lose so you can rub it in. You gotta get a life, dude. Our misfortune, makes you feel better. You appear to be a sick puppy. Smile.When Green Bay beat the Aints you were no were to be found on this blog. Man up or Stand Down.The fact of the matter is the Saints and the Falcons are both good teams. Will you be attending the Saints- Falcons Monday night game? The wife and I are seated section 114, Row 5 Seat 1 & 2. Cheers.
Josh Freeman
September 25th, 2011
8:48 pm
The pundits are right. I am WAY better than Matt Ryan. I felt sorry for the little guy today. He really wet himself.