Key question: Do the Falcons still know what they’re doing?
It has gotten this bad: Even the Bucs are mocking the Dirty Birds now. (AP photo)
Tampa – The Falcons are too good to be playing this way. They’ve trailed by double figures in all three games. They look great when they finally get serious, but by then their margin for error has been reduced to the nub, and any more wobbles — a dropped pass, a sack that shouldn’t have been taken, a lurch offside with the game literally on the line — can result in a good-looking team taking a big ugly L.
Asked Sunday night if he has been seeing the team he thought he’d see, coach Mike Smith said: “No, I’m not seeing that team … We’re making way too many mistakes.”
The same question was posed to center Todd McClure, who said: “No. We’ve got a great group of players, but we haven’t put it all together.”
Then this: “I feel like we’re holding ourselves back. We’re not making the plays that are there to be made.”
The obvious next questions: Why not? Why is a team fancied as a Super Bowl winner darn fortunate to be 1-2? Why do the Falcons start so slowly? Why has their devotion to details — a Smith staple — gone missing? Why must the long-promised “explosive” plays be saved for the desperate hours?
Nobody seems to know. The Falcons spent three quarters letting an OK Tampa Bay team get ahead and stay there, and it wasn’t as if the Bucs seized every moment. They netted three points from two sacks-and-recovered-fumbles inside the Falcons’ 20. They had a chance to pull ahead by three scores but threw an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter, whereupon a mystery guest appeared.
A team wearing the Falcons’ uniforms drove inside the Tampa Bay 5, then got the ball back and scored in two plays, then got the ball again and surged to the 5 again. At that moment you’d have sworn this team would seize the lead and win the game and talent would have finally been served, but at the same time you wondered: Where had this team been for 2 1/2 hours?
Let’s not fault the defense. It held the Bucs under 300 yards. Let’s turn instead to the high-priced offense, which has in two road games managed one touchdown. Asked if the Falcons aren’t a better team when three wide receivers are deployed and the no-huddle offense is implemented, Matt Ryan said: “I think we’re a good football team regardless of our personnel.”
For the first time in the four years of their partnership, it’s possible to wonder if Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff are as like-minded as we’d come to believe. Dimitroff traded 21 spots upward to land the hugely gifted Julio Jones, and through three quarters Sunday the receiver had one catch. He had five — for 97 yards — in the fourth. How hard is it to pull a Keyshawn Johnson and say: “Get that guy the darn ball”?
But it cuts deeper than tactics. There’s a weird air about this team. On the one hand, the Falcons seem careless. (Three turnovers and five penalties in this first half.) On the other hand, they seem scared to cut loose until circumstances render cutting loose a last resort. Former Falcons punter Michael Koenen, now a Buc, told the Tampa Tribune: “Up there, it’s a lot tighter. There’s a lot more nervous energy.”
There’s pressure on this team, yes. Dimitroff didn’t make big moves for Jones and Ray Edwards because he thought the Falcons might win a Super Bowl sometime in the next 30 years, and Arthur Blank — he of the not-exactly-relaxing late-game sideline appearances — has made it clear his only goal is to win a ring. But is a 53-man roster that includes only two Super Bowl winners capable of knowing what it takes without having ever come close?
The Falcons’ stated position is a reasonable one: They have enough talent to do whatever needs doing and enough time to correct the errors. Said John Abraham, the defensive end: “We’ve got to be back to playing Falcons football.”
For three seasons we thought we knew what that entailed — power football, focused football, precision football. Today we see a team that can’t handle the small stuff and seems, big-picture-wise, not to know what it’s trying to do. It’s as if the Falcons keep falling behind because falling behind is the only way they get to play the way they play best. It’s as if this grand design has lost all coordination.
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
598 comments Add your comment
Born2Buzz
September 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
Don’t blame this loss on Ryan or the defense. The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of Mike Smith. How you do not kick the FG with 10 minutes to go in the game to get within 10 pts is beyond me. Hmmmm, let’s see, he didn’t take the sure 3 pts and we lost by 3 pts.
Of course the OL is a huge liability.
Ed
September 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
Signing Harvey Dahl instead of some of those skill position guys, is now looking like the right move. The o-line is getting destroyed every week.
Tommy
September 26th, 2011
4:46 pm
OK, someone help me with this. . .
The Falcons lost to the Bucs for the first time in their last six meetings. Five out of six against ANYONE in the NFL is an achievement. But all of the usual fair-weather fans are already jumping ship.
Meanwhile, the Dawgs–the kings of underachievement in local sports–have beaten the Florida Gators THREE TIMES in 22 years, and these same fans will make excuses for them until they’re six feet under in their official UGA red and black casket. . .
The problem around here stems from that fact that fans cannot distinguish between pro and college sports. 10-6 or 11-5 in the NFL–which is where the Birds will likely end up–is usually good enough for a shot at a championship. (Ask the Packers). The Falcons would look pretty good too if half their schedule was Vandy, Kentucky, Ole Miss and two 1-AA teams.
That all said, it would be nice if mike mularkey added the words ’screen pass’ to his vocabulary.
RG
September 26th, 2011
4:49 pm
I had high hopes for Ryan…but the truth is, he’s really just an immobile fumbler…and not much more. Can’t be a winner if you’re coughing the ball up a few times in every game. And to think they pay this guy how much money…? Eeeeesh.
Bill
September 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
Put blame on o-line. No QB can run a offense or running back run, when they are being hit in back field.
Casey
September 26th, 2011
5:08 pm
I have been saying this since Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey got here. When the Falcons stop running the ball, they lose every time. Since they got here, when the Falcons win they average 30.6 pass attempts, 34 run attempts, 0.7 TO, and 19 pts. When they lose, they average 39 pass, 23.8 rush, 1.88 TO, and 16.4 pts. Notice the difference? Every time they lose a game, they follow the same exact pattern: when they fall behind, they start to panic. They stop running the ball. They lose. The script was followed in their 2 playoff losses. They threw 69 times and ran 38 times, with 7 turnovers. You cannot tell me this is a coincidence. They are a running team. When they stop doing what they do best and try to be something they’re not, they lose every time.
Bill
September 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
This coaching staff reminds me of The Leeman Bennett teams. No super bowl with them. Hire Jeff Fisher or John Gruden
ueeediot
September 26th, 2011
5:19 pm
Tom Brady threw 4 Interceptions and his team blew a 3 touchdown lead against a team they had beaten 15 times in a row and in dominating fashion.
Turnovers are how bad teams beat good teams.
through all those turnovers yesterday, the Falcons were still in position to win that game IF the head coach makes the correct call and takes points on 4th down inside the 10 when on the road.
I know we heard the same garbage from TB fans last year about how they shoulda woulda coulda…but I think this your O-line (with the exception of Baker) could start to get it together next week. Its still early in the season and Ive seen teams make the playoffs after appearing much more lifeless.
Go show us something in Seattle. Give us that 21-0 and piling on game we want to see.
Seattle is a great team to do it against.
I want to see an epic beatdown like the Falcons gave the 49ers and Raiders a couple years back under Mike Smith. Then, I want to see them learn to deal with that prosperity and have some carry over to the GB game.
ueeediot
September 26th, 2011
5:20 pm
Bill, you have a great idea. Fisher, Gruden, or even Brian Billick would be a great addition.
ueeediot
September 26th, 2011
5:28 pm
Mr Thomas Anthony,
Dear Sir,
You are a blind fool.
Tom G
September 26th, 2011
5:43 pm
Just a couple thoughts – OL not playing well(but everyone knows that), will they improve, no one knows really?Does not seem to have that chemistry or nastiness of last year. Go get Harvey Dahl back from Rams and give them anything they want for his return, He must have been All-World and the Falcons did not seem to know it. DL not putting enough pressure on opposing QB, maybe he gets better, but Edwards does not seem worth money we gave for him after 3 games. Folks, you can talk about QB, RB, WR all you want, but games are normally won at line of scrimmage(both sides)! Hate to say this about rookie, but Bosher needs to go now! 32 yd aver on punts and a number of KO’s not even reaching end-zone. Hell, we have better kickers(punts and FG) here in Gwinnett at the HS level!! Why are we keeping him, somebody please tell me. Thanks
GHunt
September 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
The talent is there to win it all. We need to eliminate the mistakes and stop beating ourselves. Some teams are hurt more than others by not having OTA. The Falcons have not overcome the lack of OTA, but sooner rather than later they will gel and win this thing.
In a laugher
September 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
There’s always next year people.
Harpie
September 26th, 2011
6:06 pm
So far, this team has been achingly disappointing…
Michael J
September 26th, 2011
6:25 pm
Maybe they aren’t as good as everyone wanted to think they were. The question last year was “are they lucky or good,” because we squeaked out a lot of wins that seemed impossible. A win’s a win, right? Yeah, but it doesn’t tell you how good the team is.
CANDICECANDY
September 26th, 2011
6:34 pm
HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED THAT THE FALCUNTS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FLAGS ON EACH AND EVERY PLAY????
J-Lo
September 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
MORE NO-HUDDLE!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2011
6:38 pm
After week 3, there are 3 undefeated teams. This is going to be a dog fight. I just hope we can find a groove.
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2011
6:39 pm
We got Roddy and Julio in the game….I would like to see a lot more of Jizz, he always gets yards.
E2daJeezy
September 26th, 2011
7:17 pm
Play selection is killin’ us, and not finishing drives. It’s not that easy, I know. Point is get in the trenches for 5 quarters, you’ll definitely be ready for 4…talkin’ to the O Line here. TD, gotcha that Julio was somewhat necessary, but lookin’ at how we’ve been figured out lately, filling seams with solid blocking and running tires out any defense and softens things up for later in the game. Get some big ‘uns in the draft if you say you have a premier QB!…but I’m nobody. Just sayin’.
AJ
September 26th, 2011
7:38 pm
They will be ok!
Casey
September 26th, 2011
7:54 pm
NO!!! NO!!! NO!!! WE ARE NOT CALLING HIM JIZZ!!!
Casey
September 26th, 2011
8:35 pm
Another BIG problem the Falcons have on offense is the shotgun. When you have Michael Turner, why would you run the shotgun 38 times in a game? The Falcons ran the shotgun 38 times and gained 174 yards, 4.58 yds/play, 3 sacks, 2 turnovers, 5/13 on 3rd down, 0/1 on 4th down. They ran under center 30 times for 151 yards, 5.03 yds/play, 1 sack, 1 turnover. Notice I didn’t include a 3rd down stat. That’s because they ran the shotgun on EVERY 3rd down. If the Falcons run the shotgun 38 times a game all year, we won’t win another game. This is a running team. When you run the shotgun, it takes the running game completely out. The defense knows you are going to pass. All the linemen have to think about is getting to the quarterback. The safeties can forget about having to come up to stop the run. Now all they have to do is just cover the receivers. Matt Ryan will not last more than another 3 or 4 games with the kind of beating he’s taking. We all know if Ryan goes down our season is over. The best way to protect a quarterback is to run the ball. When you run the shotgun, there is no running game. I don’t understand why they even had Turner in the game when they ran the shotgun. There’s no point. He is not a good receiver, so don’t put him in the game on a shotgun play.
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2011
8:56 pm
Good work Casey…I agree, this “explosive” crap is taking us away from our identity, which is conduct back breaking. clock killing drives. We led the league in 3rd down conversions last year because we had managable 3rd downs. Oh, and we were 13-3, so what do we do? Trade have the draft so we can get and explosive player and change our identity. Ryans YPA were low, but no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water. I think Smitty will right the ship.
JoeBucsFan.com » Blog Archive » Bucs Defense Came To Play - Tampa Bay Bucs Football
September 26th, 2011
10:46 pm
[...] It’s not bad enough that Matty Ice got beaten to a pulp . It’s that these actions came at the hands of the Bucs, documents Mark Bradley. The Falcons spent three quarters letting an OK Tampa Bay team [...]
George C. Costanza
September 26th, 2011
11:14 pm
Are you saying Mr. Blank should not go down on the sidelines in the 4th quarter?
Blank Rules!
September 27th, 2011
7:07 am
blank needs to put on some coaching clothes and go to the sideline late and get the players motivated! He can take down a big stack of c-notes and $20s and hand them out to the players for good plays to get them interested! $200 for a tackle, $500 for an INT, $300 for a sack $100 for a first down, $1,000 for a TD, $260 for a good catch, $420 for a bone crunching hit, $380 for a field goal….!
This will do the trick–the players love the green! Blank is the man!!
colelinski
September 27th, 2011
7:58 am
Explosive offense, looks more like and implosive offense to me. The offense is’nt even offensive.
The defense plays well at times BUT when it comes down to the nitty, gritty, what do they do? FAIL!!!!!!
Stepchild
September 27th, 2011
8:16 am
You know the drill fellas. The Falcons will probably beat Seattle (and feel all good about themselves) then lose to Greenbay and talk about mistakes. Then beat Carolina (maybe) and feel playoff bound then lose to Detroit…etc. It will be a rollercoaster ride to nowhere!!! 8-8 in the making.
rise.up2
September 27th, 2011
9:56 am
Look, I’m no troll. I go back with my Beloved Birds as far as Bartkowski. I absolutely despise the Saints and noone enjoys kicking their azzez as much as I do. The two hail marys in ‘78 were two of the sweetest victories I’ve ever been a part of.
But let’s be realistic. Our hate for other teams cannot or should not cloud reality. Those who compare Ryan to Brady, Brees, Manning, Rodgers or even Rivers are just plain stupid. Matty doesn’t have the experience, talent nor the quality of cast to perform on the same level those elite quarterbacks do although the Saints’ receivers, when examined carefully, appear to be all unknowns acquired quietly and to be nothing more than “average” players. Other than Marques Colston, none compare to Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez or even Harry Douglas.
I do think it’s fair to compare how our team compares with the Saints (because they’re our primary rival) in the last five, six years. Let’s examine it:
Five, six years ago or whenever that hurricane destroyed that city and the Saints nearly left New Orleans, that franchise was in shambles. We had Mike Vick and were a force and constant playoff contenders. What happens? Vick goes to jail, Petrino screws us so we pretty much have to start from scratch like the Saints.
The Saints hire Shawn Peyton in 2006 as coach and Mickey Loomis as GM. We bring in Mike Smith and Dimitroff a little later in 2007. Loomis and Peyton have built the Saints through free agency and the draft. We’ve tried trades and free agents that haven’t panned out. This year, to keep up with the Saints we’ve gone a different – and maybe lethal – route: mortgaging our foreseeable future for Julio Jones.
Look at what Loomis and Peyton do: They find Marques Colston in the eighth round of a draft four years ago. They draft Reggie Bush and after three, four years, realize what a mistake he was because the man is not an every-down, between-the-tackles running back. They milk him, win a Super Bowl with him as a vital cog using him in space, then they unload him to Miami for a couple of draft choices.
This year, look at what we do: Our primary acquistion is Julio Jones. We’re left without draft choices for the next three years. After we lose Vick and the Saints start from scratch, look at the quarterback pickups by both front offices. We select noodle arm Matt Ryan with a No. 1 pick and the Saints gamble on a broken-down Brees and they grab him after San Diego throws him on the scrap heap.
They strike gold with Brees because Loomis realized he was an experienced quarterback and got a bad deal in San Diego when the Chargers thought Philip Rivers was a safer bet with Brees’ shoulder being a big risk. Now, it’s a safe bet that Brees will wind up being a Hall-of-Famer after being a Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback who they got for nothing and we use a No. 1 pick to get noodle arm Ryan. (by-the-way, ESPN released their quarterback rankings this morning: Brees is ranked fifth. Ryan is 24th – eighth from the bottom).
Now, let’s examine this past off season: We’ve discussed what Smith, Dimitroff and Co. have done. It’s not enough that we were blown out by Green Bay because our defensive secondary was helpless against Rodgers in the divisional round of the playoffs a few months ago.
We won the division by smoke and mirrors. That should have been a huge wake-up call to our front office. Anyone that didn’t realize that we desperately needed defensive help is delusional. Our problem isn’t the offense – it’s defense and our offensive line. That’s where we need help. So what do our brilliant coach and GM do? They put their heads together and decide to use up a chit-load of draft picks the next couple of years for Jones.
Now the Saints were upset at Seattle in the playoffs at the end of last season. We all – me included – are overjoyed that they’re the first team to lose to a team with a losing record in the playoffs.
But take a look at what they do in the offseason: They didn’t look for quick-fixes. New England doesn’t look for quick-fixes. Green Bay doesn’t look for a quick-fix. Those teams acquire draft choices, look for free agents and build through the draft.
The Saints find a way to pick up north-south running back Darren Sproles for virtually nothing from San Diego. So far, he’s been sensational for them. Their first-round draft choice is Mark Ingram who they’re slowly working into their offense and soon will be another huge weapon in their scheme. Now they have a three-headed monster in the backfield: Sproles, Ingram and Pierre Thomas.
They lose their best receiver in Marques Colston for a month with an injury but their depth (most of their receivers were acquired through free agency) allow them to maintain consistency. Look at what they have: Lance Moore (probably the best receiver in our division), Devery Henderson, Jimmy Graham , Robert Meachem, Courtney Roby, David Thomas and Adrian Arrington. Brees has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. And they pick up a solid center in Olin Kreutz through free agency in the off season. They find guys the way the Patriots do. But how?
WHO THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS AND HOW DID THEY GET THEM???? WHERE IN THE WORLD DO DIMITROFF AND SMITH HAVE THEIR HEADS BURIED IN? WHAT DID THEY DO IN THE OFFSEASON? WHY CAN’T WE GET THESE KINDS OF GUYS?
I’ve been a season-ticket holder since 1975 and I’m tired of losing seasons or one-and-out playoff appearances.
Oh, I’ll leave pizzed and hope all you other guys are as angry as I am when I think of this: They got that dammm Brees at virtually the same time we got Ryan. – and they didn’t give up three years worth of draft choices or even have to trade for him!!! ….They got him the same time they hired Payton and we got Smith.
And all they’ve done since then is win a freakin Lombardi two years ago and we got humiliated by Rodgers and Green Bay last year – at home.
WHY DOESN’T ANYBODY SAY ANYTHING??? THEY’RE 2-1 AND WE’RE 1-2 AND THAT LIGHT I THOUGHT I WAS SEEING AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IN THE OFF SEASON IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN NOW!!!
CHITTTTT!!!!!….CHITTTT!!!…..CHITTTT…
rise.up2
September 27th, 2011
10:52 am
Mark? Where’s my comment?
rise.up2
September 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
We’re now 1-2 and tied with Carolina for being the dregs of our division.
What’s going through the minds of Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith? Do they have amnesia? Did they forget what happened to us just about six months ago in our dome against the Packers?
Did they actually believe that drafting what they think is the second coming of Jerry Rice would resolve all of our problems on our offensive line and defensive backfield?
Did they forget what Rodgers did to us in just two quarters of the divisional playoff game in our house? Forty-two points in thirty minutes in the second and third quarters? I’m no football administrative genius but I do know that mortgaging our next four, five years of draft choices for a receiver won’t solve our problems.
YOU BUILD THROUGH THE DRAFT AND FREE AGENCY!
Look at the Steelers. Look at the Packers. Look at the Patriots. Even the last five years of the Saints since their new general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton arrived.
You don’t see those teams give up their foreseeable futures for one player. On the contrary, that’s one of the ways they build. They give up a player that’s peaked for draft choices. A recent example: Reggie Bush. The Saints got what they thought were the best four, five years out of him before trading him to Miami for a couple of draft choices. Word is, the Dolphins have found out why the Saints were eager to get rid of him: He wasn’t or isn’t a north-south runner.
The Saints now have a three-headed monster in their backfield with Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles. They used their first round pick to get Cameron Jordan and traded up to get Mark Ingram and somehow got Sproles, who so far has been nothing short of fabulous for them.
Marques Colston, if not the best, one of the best eighth-round draft choices in NFL history, went down at wide receiver and is out for a month. A tragedy? No problem. They have Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore – a possible All-Pro this year.
WHERE THE HELL DO THEY GET THESE GUYS??? WHY CAN’T WE DO THIS? WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIMITROFF AND SMITH? WHERE ARE OUR SCOUTS?
It’s an embarrassment of riches they have over there. Us? We’re just an embarrassment giving up a ton-load of draft choices for an unproven rookie receiver. Unproven at the professional level.
Now, along with Carolina, we’re the dregs of the division and it’s not going to get any better with ole Noodle Arm behind center and Smith and Mularky calling the shots offensively and Van Gorder defensively.
Going to be a loooong season for us Dirty Birds.
Anybody wanna buy my season tickets?
John
September 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
Everyone saw it last year, Tampa was gaining on Atlanta but didn’t know how to close the games, thus Atlanta won. The small window of opportunity has closed and Atlanta is the 3rd best team in their division. A lot of fans won’t admit that there’s no longer anymore upside to Matt Ryan, he is the best he will be. Carolina & Tampa QB’s have upside, Brees is a exercise freak and will push himself to improve…I can’t get a feel for Matty Ice.
AceDawg
September 27th, 2011
1:23 pm
I’m concerned, but the Falcons have achieved more than I believe their roster should have allowed for in the last three years. This year, they should have a good enough roster to be more dynamic, but I thought a 10-6 year might be coming that reflects the Falcons getting better but having less luck than in years past. At this point, they need to improve to reach that mark.
AceDawg
September 27th, 2011
1:26 pm
On Matty Ice, I know he isn’t a Peyton Manning, but he is the quality of QB most teams are still jealous of. The line needs to protect better, and I think Jacquizz Rodgers or some sort of speedy running back needs to be mixed in with the slow, methodical style Turner brings. Turner often goes through quiet periods that last more than half the game. At those times, let’s try a different running style.
nathan
September 27th, 2011
5:45 pm
Okay, guess it’s time to rally the troops! If this is the 53-man team we are “stuck” with, as well as coaches, then let’s get behind and try our best to support them! Put out positive vibes, those who are attending the games, root like nobody’s business!
justinfalcsfan#1
September 28th, 2011
4:06 pm
excuse me people that actually made a little sense but most of the post im reading seem to be coming from a bunch of moron fans that dont know anything about big league football. to the man that says turner is losing it ….. your wrong! the offensive line has not played up to what weve come to know has they are not opening holes for turner or protecting ryan. its not just sam baker alone even though hes the worst falcon lineman by far, he struggles the get that needed forward push up front on the left where we have found so much success in the past we are not schematic enough offensively and have become easily predictable weve gotta find some plays for jaquizz rodgers as he is by far faster and more elusive than turner as well as a bigger threat to get to the edge. were waiting too late to run that no-huddle that just murders opponent’s pass rush and wares on the front seven if you noti e Turner s big yards games always come late in games as the opposing defense grows tired from a fast pace high octane offnsive scheme. on defense we should make hayden and sanders full time starters as their play helped us secure a win over the eagles and we must find a way to get more inside pressure on qbs as edwards and abraham are always a half a second late because qbs can step up into the pocket and deliver without the threat of an inside push hindering them . mike peterson should come back to start at weakside lb … the run defense looked alot hetter with him instead of nicholas. we need to come out firing outta the no huddle deep and mixing in turner runs with with a spread the ball around type of offense …. this is a team loaded enough to destroy any nfl playing football. the problem is that if ryan stays on his ass and we cant get a forward push in the run game our defense plays too many snaps and gets tired by the third quarter. its still early and this team is too good to write off theyll rebound. and rebound BIG. ……
van goiter
September 28th, 2011
4:10 pm
i am a good d.c.
DeportMularky
September 28th, 2011
9:27 pm
Mr. Bradley, the Falcons only get “explosive” in desperate situations because Mularky is a timid coach. The Falcon’s exploded against Philly once Ryan went to no huddle and called his own plays…
Watch the Patriots and you never know what play they will call. Watch the Falcons and you know 90% of what they will do… 1st down: run Turner off tackle… throw for less than 5 yards… then have to throw for 1st down… repeat…
Don’t fire Mularky… deport him before he ruins any more football teams.
Stepchild
September 28th, 2011
9:30 pm
Roddy White made headlines this offseason when he said Atlanta’s offense has a chance to become the second coming of the “Greatest Show on Turf.” “This offense can be great,’’ White said. “We’re loaded. We are loaded. We already were pretty good and we added the guys we needed to add.’’
YES YOU ARE LOADED!!! LMFAO!
rock
September 29th, 2011
9:52 am
The starters did not get enough work and preparation during the pre-season, especially the defensive team. It is showing on the field.
falconsrus
September 30th, 2011
7:51 pm
Our birds are gonna rise up its a process GO BIRDS
Mr. Falcon
September 30th, 2011
11:11 pm
This bird is dead.
Matt Ryan is a hack.
He does not have the arm for the NFL.
The guy just seems to have given up.
Even when he throws deep the ball just floats up there begging to get picked.
I am a huge ATL fan. That said they are going to suck until they get a real QB.
He looks like a deer back there.
Bottom line. The NFL has him figured out. Lock up the short pass, and he can’t do anything, but curl up like a noodle.
Man I was looking forward to this season. Better luck next year.
Mr. Falcon
September 30th, 2011
11:14 pm
They should be giving out brown bags with every home game ticket purchase. Two bags, just in case.
Oh yeah, and the braves, the first 10.5 home games should be free for all fans willing to support them.
panic fan
October 1st, 2011
3:38 pm
For the most part, the Falcons plan to stick to their script. “We don’t know any other way,” THEY BETTER LEARN TO
ADAPT IN GAME OR ELSE MORE SAD NUMBERS FOR THIS TEAM
1972
October 1st, 2011
9:38 pm
DID COREY PETERS TAKE THE WONDERLIC??
falconfreak
October 2nd, 2011
12:46 pm
Well, I think Malaurkey answered that question for us this week…he’s sticking to the script…LOL!
What’s the definition of insanity…someone who does the same thing over and over again (that’s not working) who expects different results. I wonder what his score on the Wonderlic is…LOL
1972
October 2nd, 2011
5:22 pm
Outstanding, & hilarious !!!