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
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
4,613 comments Add your comment
wow
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
Hey at least Mike Vick did win us a playoff game
Jason
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
I like Abe but there is no point bringing him back, it is unfortunate that we signed those two Free Agent Busts the last couple of years. The Oline the Dline and the the DB’s need total upgrading.
TD should be held accountable for some stupid moves he made recently. While the Julio move can be questioned, I still believe he can be a pro-bowler for several years to come. Roddy is a good player but lack of discipline may not allow him to reach his full potential, so that coupled with the drops, would make me consider getting rid of him after next season. Draft a TE to take over from Gonzo and a RB for Turner.
why
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
hey why in the hell did we sign ray edwards author blank made more plays than him today
Baby Bird
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
Katherine,Stendek is only venting. He doesn’t mean what he is saying. I feel his pain.
ryan in 2012
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
ryan will be back huge in 2012! with julio’s first year, you can’t expect a lot of connect here! 2012 is the year!
tony
January 8th, 2012
6:56 pm
BoneKollector
January 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Falcons coaches will be fired after this game unless they make Halftime Adjustments
______________________________________________
I hope not because I like Mike Smith…..he just don’t have good players in the trenches. They most get bigger and stronger in the trenches. They need to sign these free agents.
1) Ahtyba Rubin -DT 6-2 330lbs, 83 tackles and 5 sacks
2) Calais Campbell-DE 6-8 300lbs, 72 tackles and 8 sacks
I hope Kellen Moore fall to the Falcons in the 2nd round.
rebman76
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Roterhals
January 8th, 2012
5:59 pm
Uh slydog I think you missed my point…..have another drink and go back inside your trailer
I didn’t miss the point!!! Whether drunk or sober, I can tell you it was a stupid comparison!!! It wasn’t as if Montana’s 49ers had the most gifted offensive line either. But then again, Montana was so good, how could you tell? Did Roger Craig EVER lead the NFC in rushing? Nope
————————————————————————————————————————————–
Montana did have Jerry Rice and John Taylor on the outside to throw to. All the O-Line had to do was give Montana time to find one of them down the field. plus, San Fran had a defense that could make a lead hold up.
why
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
damn they just threw a quarterback sneak joke in at the falcons on the broncos game low blow man low blow
Former Falcon Fan since 66
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
@Stendek;
You sir, are correct!
“This bunch is far worse than 1966 group which at least gave fans effort!
The more things change…
No reason for optimism. None. More dark days ahead. Lots more… ”
I feel exactly the same way. I am packing away my Falcon’s Starter jacket which I have worn proudly for many years. The Falcon flag which has flown on my porch is down, and I will not, repeat, will not, support a team that shows no desire to improve beyond their pitiful excuse of “play” today. I’ve also been a fan since ‘66, but will not get excited about this team until I see a dramatic change in the whole philosophy of this team. I will not be embarrassed any more by sticking up for the Falcons. I just hope that someone close to Mr. Blank is reading these blogs, because this is where the true fan base is. We care enough to take the time to express our outrage. Do they care enough to listen? Just askin’!
cornell sims
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
falcons need to make coaching changes…..I prefer at the offensive coordinator job….. FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY. FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY, FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY. I am almost at that point where aI am ready to give up on the falcons as long as they are not willing to make the neccisary changes to put them over the hump. As long as we have the same three key coaches on our staff {mike smith, mike murlarkey and bvg. we might as well get use to being a city with no championships…..smdh
intravenus de milo
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
UGH those stupid insurance ads with rodgers are insipid
North ave. faithful
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
Enough falcon talk, is anyone watching this cheating refs in the denver game, its so obvious its nauseating.
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
This lost will sting for a long time.
take it from me.
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
Fire Mike Smith,TD.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
john fox should’ve challenged the fact that number 7 fumbled, not an incomplete pass.
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
We need to burn our playbook.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
i’ve seen two HORRIBLE calls in the playoffs so far, it makes one wonder…that fumble yesterday in the Saints/Lions game was a terrible call too.
J-MAN
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
We need to dump the baggage, Dunta Robinson, Ray Edwards, Babineaux, Sam Baker, Weems. We will have Abe’s 9.45 mil off the books, resign him for 5 mil, restructure Matt Ryans contract he takes up about 14 mil next season. #1 Priority is to resign Curtus Lofton #2. Grimes.
Then we need to go after Carl Nicks, Brandon Browner of the seahawks, and Paul Soliai of the Dolphins. We also need to Draft Jordan White from Western Michigan in the 4th Round because he will slip because hi is 5′11 but the boy is a player and can return. and get a backup for Gonzalez to teach up. And get O-Line depth. And sign David Garrard to be the back-up
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 8th, 2012
7:09 pm
ryan in 2012
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
ryan will be back huge in 2012! with julio’s first year, you can’t expect a lot of connect here! 2012 is the year!
____________________________________________________
Is that the the huge like after the 2008 season?
or
The huge like after the 2010 season?
or
The huge in 2012?
I’m confused, how many times can a player be huge and never is?
HA HA HA
J-MAN
January 8th, 2012
7:10 pm
Also it seeems as if Mike Smith has no Confidence in Michael Turner in short yardage situations
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:11 pm
The refs been missing critical calls in all the playoff games this weekend. Abe sacked Eli in the first quarter and he fumbled the ball and we recovered but didn’t get the ball. Besides that, a bad spot caused us a first down near the red zone.
They caused the Lions a touchdown that would have put them up 21-7 on the Saints. The right calls could have affected the outcome of the game. Bad refs.
HovaBKLYN
January 8th, 2012
7:12 pm
So what happens when the Giants put up wins vs. Green Bay and New Orleans? Blank says “well, we lost to the NFC champs…keep ‘em all.”
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 8th, 2012
7:12 pm
I don’t know why you guys are so upset or surprised.
I told you LOSERS that Mike Vick placed a curse on Art Blank.
It doesn’t matter how many high priced rookies or free agents he signs, there will be no more
post season success until Mike Vick lifts the curse.
It is no hope.
HA HA HA
Cocaine is a helluva drug
J-MAN
January 8th, 2012
7:12 pm
I’m a Falcons fan but Ryan did choke today but hopefully he will be better next year.
Draft JORDAN WHITE!!!!
look his stuff up on youtube and what he did against Purdue you will be impressed
Antn
January 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
4th and 1 and you do a quarterback sneak with an empty backfield, a terrible offensive line and a scaredy quarterback and you actually get a paycheck for strategy as a coach???? You offense cant score even ONCE in a PLAYOFF game and you call yourself a QB???? Gimme a break….truly pathetic.
just sayin'
January 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
brent…you know the big difference between this team and those you mention?….a strong willed, strong arm QB who has heart and does NOT slide to keep from getting hit…get over it, melt will never be ELITE…game manager, and maybe a poor one, at that…
J-MAN
January 8th, 2012
7:15 pm
Mike Vick didn’t leave any curse. back to bcak play-off appearences………..Chris Chandler drop the curse on us. Why else couldn’t Vick get to the SuperBowl.
Curse of Chandler
January 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
Vick never will go to the SuperBowl hahahaha
Antn
January 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
J-MAN: I’m a Falcons fan but Ryan did choke today but hopefully he will be better next year.
ONCE A LOSER ALWAYS A LOSER. No need wasting time, the Atlanta Chickens need to go get Matt Flynn of Greenbay RIGHT NOW and cut Ryan lose. Also, cut the brainless coaching staff lose.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 8th, 2012
7:18 pm
You guys blew it.
You had a once in a lifetime talent and took it for granted, just because he played a style that you couldn’t comprehend or tolerate.
There is a reason that he was the 1st qb to beat Green Bay in the playoffs on the road, with a bunch of no names on his team. All this at an age where most college seniors are graduating.
But no, you LOSERS wanted a certain type of quarterback. Look at Denver, Tim Tebow is nothing compared to the skills of Mike Vick at any stage of his career, and they love him in Denver.
Falcants fans you blew it, and now you are dealing with the consequences.
HA HA HA
That curse is a mutha
just sayin'
January 8th, 2012
7:19 pm
bad calls?…what about owens ‘mauling’ the NY receiver…NO CALL…and the giant defender tackling the atl WR…’unnecessary roughness’…what a load of cr ap….detroit did the same thing to a NO RB last nite and no call…clabo was holding all day long and no calls…don’t blame losing on the refs…blame melt and his poor play…to paraphrase his post game interview…we just didn’t get the job done…. no sh$t….
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:21 pm
Mike Smith needs to step up and take responsibility for this epic loss. The worst lost in the franchise history.
Antn
January 8th, 2012
7:23 pm
Difference between winners and losers: NEW ORLEANS 4th and 1 and Brees JUMPS over the Offensive line and extends his hand to assure he got the first down. ATLANTA 4th and 1 and Ryan Chicken manure tries to push behind a weak offensive line only to be STUFFED like the scaredcrow he is
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:25 pm
I repeat the refs have made critical bad calls all weekend.
just sayin'
January 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
even the announcers said melt ‘got small’…6ft4in…and got small…too funny…what else could he do…not athletic…shuffles instead of runs…and hits the dirt before getting hit…oh, well…i hope atl doesn’t draft an athletic QB…melt is gone…
billya
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
J-MAN, I agree. Lofton played hard. He stays.
rebman76
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
ol i love the saints fans on here still talking crap……its sad really
—————————————————————————————
I’m a Saints fan and have been since the Bobby Hebert, Morten ANderson days of the 1980s and 1990s. All New Orleans needed was a quarterback. Brees coming there was sorely needed. I’m not gloating but, that said, facts are facts. The Saints are 10-2 against the Falcons since Brees got there. Atlanta got exposed today by a Giants team that had been playing good football since they lost to Green Bay.
Eveyone on here is quick to blame Matt Ryan for today’s loss but, when you can’t run the football and become one-dimensional on offense, the defense can pin their ears back and attack the quarterback. That’s what the Falcons became – a one dimensional offense that got shut down this afternoon.
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:32 pm
If the refs get the call right in The Lions- Saints game, the Lions win the game. The touchdown would have made it 21-7, Lions.
If the refs make the right call in The Falcons- Giant game on the Eli fumble caused by Abe on the sack-fumble and spot the ball correctly near the red zone and the Falcons get’s the first down, the game would have been much closer.
Momentum plays is a huge part in sports.
rebman76
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
And, news flash, you guys down need Tim Tebow. All i have to say about Tebow today is even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. He’s taking advantage of a beaten up Steelers team. Any quarterback, worth his salt, should be able to do that too.
Back 2 Reality
January 8th, 2012
7:38 pm
Hey Arthur Blank you better rise season ticket price now and send out ticket forms, it sounds like some of your fans are starting to wake-up from their delusional dreams.
North ave. faithful
January 8th, 2012
7:39 pm
Bunch of dang cheatin refs in this denver game, pathetic.
Dville Dawgs
January 8th, 2012
7:41 pm
Mr. Blank,
Please ask your offense coach these two questions.
Why do you think Matt Ryan will be able to sneak past their D-line when Michael Turner couldnt?
Why do you think Matt Ryan is tough enough to do a quarterback sneak when he slides 5 yards before the first down line, or out of bounds when the clock is running down?
Lastly Mr. Blank. You are a great businessman but someone is giving you really bad advice. Dont give a huge contract to a non physical quarterback thats passing distance limit is around 52 yards. The guys on Falcon’s radio were eviscerating Ryan for that PATHETIC hail mary.
Trade Roddy and upgrade our O-line, like we should of done last year. Do something that makes that Julio trade worth while.
Do nothing, as usual, and we will be slightly better then mediocre, but not a championship team.
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 8th, 2012
7:44 pm
Mike Martz for OC!
Baby Bird
January 8th, 2012
7:46 pm
McGahee could be the goat, if Tebow don’t perform a miracle. Go figure.
BoneKollector
January 8th, 2012
7:47 pm
Tebow>Ryan
Baby Bird
January 8th, 2012
7:49 pm
Broncos playing for a field- goal or overtime. Bad coaching, go for the TD.
RB
January 8th, 2012
7:50 pm
If you have watched Tebo today, who would you have prefered for your Qb on 1/8/2012
dean
January 8th, 2012
7:50 pm
Falconfan24-7,
Worst loss in franchise history? You need to check the history of our team.
Dville Dawgs
January 8th, 2012
7:54 pm
Watching this Bronco’s game the only the I can think is that the ref’s were told by the NFL, “Denver doesnt make it past the first round.”
Giant beatdown
January 8th, 2012
7:54 pm
Your team is garbage. We gave you 2 points and you didnt do jack except look like the crappy “southern” team you are. New York owns you.