Live from Falcons-Giants: We’re a lousy sports city, are we?
"If I give you two dimes and a nickel, will you give me a quarter back?" (AP photo)
East Rutherford, N.J. – Here’s a fun little nugget that was posted on the New York Post’s web site yesterday: As of Friday night, the Giants-Falcons playoff game was not sold out.
If said game were being staged at the Georgia Dome, we Atlantans would be hearing yet again how lousy a sports town we are. But this is New York, where millions live and where sports are, we’re constantly reminded, a point of strutting metropolitan pride.
Let the record reflect that an attempt to find available tickets this morning via Ticketmaster was unavailing, so we can assume that the game finally has sold out. Still, the thought of a Giants’ home postseason game with available seats not 30 hours before kickoff would surely come as a revelation to those New Yorkers who love to poke fun at us dumb ol’ Southerners for our indifference/inattention.
But I digress. The Falcons arrive with a point to prove, and the belief here is that they’ll prove it. The belief here is that they’ll win because they are, top to bottom, the better team. The tabloids have been full of Matt Ryan stuff this week, the thrust being that he still hasn’t proven anything in the postseason. (He hasn’t, but I’d suggest two games in his first three NFL seasons isn’t quite a true sample.)
I remember another day in Ryan’s pro career, a Sunday here in November 2009 when he overrode a second-half deficit to force overtime. The Giants won the toss and scored in the bonus canto, but that remains, at least to this dumb Southern observer, one of the shining performances of a very good career.
If you can do it here once, you should be able to do it again. And if you can make it here, the song has it, you can make it anywhere. I think Matty Ice will author his playoff breakthrough today, but maybe you disagree.
Which is why we have these little live chats — for you to interact with a dumb Southern writer like yours truly. I invite your comments. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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4,613 comments Add your comment
Legacy of Loosers-Crap Fan
January 8th, 2012
6:06 pm
Auther Blank is a dumb son-of-a-blank if he keeps this head (up his ass) coach. This Mike Smith is too stupid to call a game. And Ryan is now a puny has-been, never was. Bret Farve, Matt Shaub. boy we know how to pick them, don’t we?
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
Fire Bill Cowher!!
Michael
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
Ryan was scared, I see no fear in Tebow face.
Roterhals
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
I wasn’t comparing em slydog….I was making the point that the falcons offense is a joke no matter who the Qb is. Montana and Johnny u are the two best ever, I certainly wouldn’t compare Ryan to em…….geez now I need a drink
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
I go to many braves games….the 4th of july one last year was particularly fun….watching fireworks in the rain
bvgneedsahaircut
January 8th, 2012
6:07 pm
Falcons need some really nasty mean defensive players
M&M
January 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
Mark Bradley, You really need to police your blog more. There is a lot of racial overtones on here today. I see a few bloggers here that you use to banned on your site.
freddie
January 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
Tebow is blessed! Suh spending next week at his mommas eating fried chicken..Tebow will spend it beating up Brady!
bvgneedsahaircut
January 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
I was there too Katherine…you looked great in youyr wet t-shirt
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
did you see elway…he looks mad
falcons are a joke
January 8th, 2012
6:09 pm
oh well at least katherin and phil can go out and have fun
Legacy of Losers-Crap Fan
January 8th, 2012
6:09 pm
Losers Losers Losters
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:09 pm
Let’s review…
Can’t pass block.
Can’t rush the QB.
Can’t run the ball against good teams.
Still wondering why we were crushed, as predicted, today?
No Shock
January 8th, 2012
6:09 pm
Average at everything doesn’t win playoff games. Falcons need to hire a proven coach who’s won a Superbowl and turn the keys over to him. Until that happens, it will be more of the Barnum and bailey circus with embarrassing losses when it counts.
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
The sad part is Cam Newton and the Panthers will be better next year. We might not even make the playoffs.
bvgneedsahaircut
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
we need Cowher
Trade for Peyton???
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Blog Monster ate my last comment. Let me just say that I’d like to see a new QB who can average more than 5 yds per pass.
Work a 3 way deal to jettision Ryan and bring in:
1.Peyton Manning
2. Philip Rivers
Both QBs are on the backside of their careers and we have “win now” talent in the skill postions that need a leader at QB, not a game managing, check down, slide short specialist.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
the people on here saying “losers” and stuff like that….im sorry you were bullied in school….but its time to get over it and grow up
billya
January 8th, 2012
6:11 pm
Denver 20-6. Atlanta..pathetic.
bvgneedsahaircut
January 8th, 2012
6:11 pm
katherine…sorry my bad…must have been Dolly Parton or that baywatch babe….her name excapes me
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
wow..you would think elway would be happy
Buster Up
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
I can’t believe Matt Ryan played so poorly today. Denver benefitting from Roethlisberger being injured. But Tebow’s earning it with his arm.
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
Atlanta = winners
During the regular season….
bvgneedsahaircut
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
Elway wants Andrew Luck….his Stanford buddy
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
Tebow is on our home schedule next season.
falcons are a joke
January 8th, 2012
6:13 pm
falcons just like the braves pathetic losers
katherine braves and falcons thank you for your ignorance continue to support them.dont forget to get your falcon season tickets tomorrow
Kimberley
January 8th, 2012
6:13 pm
Its like the NBA analyst Marv Albert says “The final score does not reflect the magnitude of the blowout”.. because the Giants smacked the “Better, top to bottom” Falcons , up and down that football field. Its Not all on Ryan… Smith ignored a football axium, TWICE, in game.. YOU ALWAYS TAKE THE POINTS!!
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:13 pm
elway will have a big decision to make if tebow gets a win
Ace8
January 8th, 2012
6:14 pm
I’ll take Tim Tebow over Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Who do they really think they are? Nobody, at this point-their right.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:14 pm
actually, win or lose I think tebow has proven himself today
billya
January 8th, 2012
6:14 pm
There would be some easy decisions here for any low-level manager, but for Arthur, we’ll look forward to the same ‘ole Falcons next year…guarantee it.
Michael
January 8th, 2012
6:14 pm
The accussed rapist finally completing some passes
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
im sure the falcons will make changes…
ship jumper
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Matt Ryan=The Grinch. Heart is just too small.
quadgator
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Braves, 14 divisional titles one WS victory, one less than the NY Mets.
Falcons, Have they ever been to a Superbowl? I think so?
Does Atlanta even have a NHL or NBA franchise, who cares?
The best sports seen I’ve ever seen in ATL is the bar scene on autum Saturdays when ever SEC team has it’s own bar for their fans, now that’s cool.
But yea Mark, ATL is a lousey sports town, but not the worst, that title goes to those Yankees in LOSERDELPHIA.
Brent
January 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
We have the offensive talent of any other team in this league, including the Pats, Saints, and Packs. However, those teams have an offensive identity. They pass, pass, and pass more, which sets up the occasional run. They also attempt to stick the dagger into their opponents proverbial heart for 60 minutes. We, on the other hand, seem to have an offensive identity problem.
A short sweet description of our season (not including today’s horrific play calling from Mularkey) is that we attack, attack, attack, get a good lead, then, for whatever reason, we dial it back, DON’T ATTACK, and let the other team back in the game. We won’t be an elite team until we attempt to go for the jugular, and keep attacking whether we’re up by 24 or not.
Does Mularkey and/or Smith have “conscience” issues? (We’re up by 15-21 points, so we shouldn’t attack) I’m a layman in the overall scheme of things, I hope those that are knowledgeable within the organization see this.
After today’s horrific offensive playcalling, I hope that we send Mularkey packing and get an O Coordinator that wants to attack for 60 minutes, stick the dagger in their opponent’s proverbial heart, and try to score 50 points every game.
LAST THOUGHT: With all our offensive weapons, why are we trying to play power ball and stick it up the gut on 4th down, did we not learn our lesson on our failed 4th down attempt against New Orleans earlier this season. (NOTE TO OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: a play action pass to the FB coming out of the backfield is an incredibly good bet for a short yardage play, if you can’t come up with something to get Gonzo, Roddy, or Julio open in the flat).
Just shaking my head
Ace8
January 8th, 2012
6:16 pm
The Falcons got to do some early housecleaning starting with the head coach.
Bob
January 8th, 2012
6:16 pm
It’s more of a statement on the terrible state of the economy and the absurd price of an NFL game (tix+refreshments+parking). And in a lot of these big stadiums, many of these seats make it harder to experience the game than being at a sports bar.
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:16 pm
Losers kick FGs.
We went for it. We got stuffed.
I’ll live with that much better than kicking damn FGs that would’ve amounted to losing all the same.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:16 pm
you are so right bob
intravenus de milo
January 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
So…what’s the problem with Tebow? Is it cuz he prays in public? Lots of pros pray on the field. Seriously..was that all?? Looks like a tough player – showing more heart than I saw out of “Matty Ice” all year.
Call me fed up, and now we get the real jerkoffs - the Hawks
January 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Falcons = Braves = bunch of overstuffed, overpaid bozos just looking to pick up their fat paychecks and go home.
Howdy Doody in a helmet
January 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Dirty Bird Nation –
I am very sorry for my unathletic performance today. I know the outcome of the game is not what we wanted. I think we all need to go back to the film room and see where we did not slide short, throw the ball out of bounds and check down properly.
Let’s keep our heads up. I did not throw a pick, so that’s something to build on.
Also, I know some of you may start asking for a new QB who is more seasoned and capable of leading a solid skill position team like the Falcons – (Julio, Roddy, Tony G, Turner). I would like to point out that I checked down all season for 4000 yds and 29 TDs.
Please do not consider trading me for Peyton Manning or Philip Rivers, altough a multi-team deal would be needed. I know I may only be the 3rd best QB in the NFC South next year, but I feel certain we can go 8-8, if not 9-7.
Black Dog
January 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Time to rebuild. Blow the team up.
okfornow
January 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Yes – I agree – Atlanta is a very poor sports town – professional sports wise.
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
It looks appears as if Tebow will win a playoff game before Matt “Turkey Melt” Ryan.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
there isnt a problem with tebow…people dont like him because he doesnt react to all their hate….
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
Ben is hurting the team. Time to put Batch in.
whodat70816
January 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:06 pm
How is it that Tebow can throw downfield and Matt Ryan can only check-down for a 3-yard out?
______________________________________
Take one look at Tebow’s arms….then take a look at Matty Ice’s toothpick arms…..therein lies the answer to your question!
Michael
January 8th, 2012
6:19 pm
I can’t bear to look at CBS halftime report about the Falcon game.