Live from Falcons-Vikings: Anybody excited about this one?
"Hey, I'm pumped. Who's with me?" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I wish I could say I’m looking forward to a great day of pro football here at the Dome, but I’d be a big fat liar. The Atlanta Falcons tend to play to the level of the opposition, and if that happens today …
(Pause to shudder.)
The Minnesota Vikings are awful, and they’re without their best player. (Adrian Peterson, RB.) They’re also without Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Alan Page, Joe Kapp, Carl Eller, Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman, Cris Carter, Mick Tinglehoff and anyone else who ever put the pop in the Purple. The Vikings are 2-8, having beaten two other terrible teams (Arizona and Carolina).
This is one of those games the Falcons should win by three touchdowns, and I’m thinking it’s a game they need to win by three touchdowns. Even at 6-4, there’s scarcely a buzz about this team nationally or locally. I got out of Mass later than usual this morning, and I was thinking I might hit traffic around the Dome, but I drove right in at 11:30.
It’s 12:03 as I write, and there’s almost nobody in the house. I know it’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the day after Tech-Georgia, but still … this is, on the record, a pretty good NFL team. I wondered in preseason why more people weren’t talking about the Falcons, and on the final Sunday of November I’m wondering still.
So I ask again: Are you pumped about the Birds? Are you too stuffed with Thanksgiving turkey to care? Has watching Florida fall to 6-6 and Clemson to 9-3 last night dulled the senses? Is there anybody out there? Is this microphone on?
With that, I’ll hang up and await your responses. Assuming there are any.
By Mark Bradley
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1,179 comments Add your comment
Matthew
November 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
Mark, will you be covering UGA/LSU game, or will Schultz be on it? I am very worried that LSU may hurt every player on Georgia’s team, but Crowell may be the first to go. 2 carries against Kentucky and out may mean that he will take one look at LSU’s D during warmups and take himself out before it starts. Dawgs have no chance without Crowell and alittle bit of a running game. Agree?
100 Million Dollar Bust
November 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
Philly Vicky.
AtlNative
November 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
@DawgNole
Yeah – it is really difficult to hear all the criticism of Atl fans being the worst and we dont support our teams etc.
We dont support them largely due to their own ineptness, I mean – yeah all those division titles were great for the Bravos. And for those of us who remember just how colossally bad the Braves used to be, it was great seeing them become such a great club.
However – You at one time had 3 Cy Young winners….not just on the team, but IN THE STARTING LINEUP…. and still we couldnt help but self destruct in the playoffs year after year.
Remember when we had the Thrashers? Remember how they were “rebuilding” for 10 years?
Dont even get me started on the Hawks.
In a lot of ways, all these franchises demonstrate my point. Heck look at Joe Johnson. Is he a great player – sure. Will he win you a championship in the East? Nope…never.
And that is the truth of it. We get to a certain level and just seem to say, “oh well that’s the best we can do” while other teams are signing Lebron, or Bosch.
For those of you who dont care about the NBA, lets ask this of the Falcons.
Suppose that the Colts decide to go after Luck and deal away Peyton. If nothing else on the Falcons changed except you had Peyton Manning under center, would we be a superbowl contender?
I think the answer to that question tells you a lot about the winning tradition in this town.
ijonathan
November 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
and for those of you who have been following ESPN’s new “total QB” rating, Ryan was the highest rated on that last year.
Reggie
November 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
Who gets the ball first to start the 2nd half?
Supes
November 27th, 2011
2:37 pm
Here’s something else to “ponder”…Rogers sat behind Favre for 3 years before starting…Matt Ryan was thrown into the fire from day 1. Also Rogers inherited a talented team…Falcons had to be rebuilt the year Ryan was drafted.
I swear some of you are so close minded…Is Matt Ryan elite…NO…is Matt Ryan good…YES. The FUTURE is NOT SET, you can’t predict it. Lets wait and see where the Falcons go in the next 2 years or so.
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
2:38 pm
Now JSS, why bring up Vick? Oh yea, I remember when he was 6-2 and lost to the 1-7 Green Bay team and missed the winning season and playoffs.
Or the next year, at 5-2, he lost to a no win Detroit team, then a 1-7 Cleveland team at home to blow up that playoff opportunity.
Thanks for reminding me to be appreciative of a guy who can beat inferior teams.
Reggie
November 27th, 2011
2:38 pm
Nevermind
Gregory Moundine
November 27th, 2011
2:38 pm
@Matthews. We want all to underestimate the Dawgs! That why we play the game! Go Dawgs!
JSS
November 27th, 2011
2:39 pm
That is not crap against the wall… Fact, Anderson was at least serviceable when he played inside… They could have taken a cap hit (when TD took over and shed him), ask Arizona speaking of Matt Leinart… He was dreadful at DE… The better teams make lemonade, while the ones who can’t figure out 2 cups of sugar + 48 oz. of water + 7 large lemons squeezed = lemonade. Do you see the difference in those statements?
Reggie
November 27th, 2011
2:39 pm
Bosher has gotten so much better as a kicker and a punter.
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
Second half begins. Ponder throws the ball past yonder receiver.
Reggie
November 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
Mike Smith said he’s sticking with the no huddle! As he should! Matt Ryan and our offense is so much better when doing so.
dean
November 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
3 and out. Nice
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
Nicholas couldn’t catch a basketball if you lobbed it to him…
JSS
November 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
See…? (2:38PM) Now that is throwing crap against the wall, which he has been doing since page 2 of this blog… That is Mr. Charlie, summed up all day long…
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
Fire FG!
Wozzeck
November 27th, 2011
2:43 pm
They did move Anderson inside. He played both end and tackle once Smith was here.
One-Winged Bird
November 27th, 2011
2:43 pm
You miss my point. We already got beat badly by Green Bay. Whether we make the playoffs or not we ain’t gonna beat Green Bay. Until we have a defense that can sack & put pressure on Aaron Rodgers it ain’t happening. How many sacks does Edwards & Abraham have against the Packers this year and in the playoff game last year ? Zero.
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Attention Doofs….
These are team games. One guy rarely wins the game.
dean
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Anyone know who Vegas picks for NYG @ NO tomorrow?
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Actually, after the 2006 Falcons lost to bad Detroit and Cleveland teams, it led to this classic highlight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlXxj7Pzaw4. 72, this ones for you.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Try explaining to Ponder in free shoes and books, he may see the problems then…
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Release Michael Turner!
ejj
November 27th, 2011
2:44 pm
Small defensive victory, 3 and out, but should have been an interception. The blitz was soft, even if delayed, DB should have sprinted in, was striding, and the LB can’t catch.
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:45 pm
Fire Mike Mularkey!
mountain_jim
November 27th, 2011
2:45 pm
Vintage third quarter Mularkey right here
JSS
November 27th, 2011
2:46 pm
That is why I said he was serviceable there, markedly better inside…
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
2:46 pm
Crap begets crap. You and your ” we can only beat sub .500 teams”,so I just pointed out how we should not take that for granted.
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:46 pm
This team is so frustrating….can’t manage the easiest of plays.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
2:46 pm
Phil . .. .amen on that “individual game winner” comments. I’ve been trying to stay out of the fray today – but those comments were driving me nuts too.
jack bull
November 27th, 2011
2:46 pm
we miss Koenan
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2011
2:47 pm
Look, the Falcons are up 17-0 against a team that had 92 yards in the first half. Sometimes playing conservatively is the proper course. Make Minnesota go 80 yards to score. I bet the Vikings can’t.
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
Agreed mark, we are doing what good teams do, quashing the hope our of a downtrodden opponent.
jack bull
November 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
dang, i wish we were all as perfect as phil is…but, how boring would life be then?
dean
November 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
Mr Charlie…that was the beginning of the end.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
2:48 pm
Baker is no left tackle with that bad back, move him inside, then Hawley can start getting ready to transition out McClure… He’s not going to play 100 years like Van Note…
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
My favorite is “Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl.”
All his fault.
Wozzeck
November 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
You complain that they didn’t move him inside yet that is exactly what they did. When I point this out you said yes, that’s how you know he’s serviceable there. What? How did they not make what little use of him they could?
jack bull
November 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
dang, look at the wb run..
dean
November 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
#32 certainly hasn’t given up
drmaryb (*_-)
November 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
Got Milk?
JSS – wassup baby? Hey that Mr. Charlie character can go sux a “left titty”! Not mine – but he can go for it!
And JSS! That goes for all the “haters” Oh Why – Just Why do they even bother to come over here and bother us?
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
Jack bull – could you be more full of bull?
Dumbo
November 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
I sure wish Smitty wouldn’t get so conservative once he’s ahead by 2 td’s. ‘dI like to see the Falcons keep the boot to the neck once in while. As usual we get a lead and nut up.
72 Million Dollar Bust
November 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
REMINDER: This versus a 2-8 rookie led team.
Jimmy Crack
November 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
My God they’re running all over us. Is there nothing we can do to stop this onslaught?
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
Another ho hum effort in the making? We may screw around and lose.
Andy
November 27th, 2011
2:52 pm
Mark
I can tell when you are bored. You start going crazy with the puns and plays on words. Not that I’m complaining., just making an observation.
Loserville USA
November 27th, 2011
2:52 pm
As usual, the Van Donatell defense giving the other side some life.
phil
November 27th, 2011
2:52 pm
Yes, Dumbo…i don’t get it.
We’re letting them get on track.