Live from the Dome: An important Falcons’ season begins
"Hut one! Hut two! Hut three! Play championship football!" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
If you can win four seasons running and make the playoffs three times in four, you’re not far off. You’re not a team without talent or an organization without savvy. You are, as they say, in the mix.
The trouble with the Falcons is that, three times in four Januarys, they’ve played their worst game of that season (or very near) at the moment it mattered most and the watching world was paying rapt attention. Three times in four seasons they were eliminated by a team with a lesser record.
The Falcons have become, to invoke the British term, the NFL’s nearly men. They’ve almost made it. (Had the Falcons beaten Green Bay here in January 2011, they’d have won the Super Bowl.) They’ve gotten close enough to make you – well, maybe not you, but me for sure – think this time would be different, and to date it hasn’t been.
The offseason just past marked this franchise’s first real period of recalibration since Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith, Matt Ryan and Michael Turner arrived in 2008. A staff of four years’ standing underwent major upheaval, and the message has been both sent and received: No longer will “nearly” be good enough.
The exhibition part of this massive season is about to begin, and I’m here at Ye Olde Dome to monitor developments. I’d be happy if you tagged along. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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462 comments Add your comment
BlackSmoke
August 9th, 2012
6:58 pm
Football season is here, Thank God! Time to RISE UP!
Freehawk
August 9th, 2012
7:05 pm
MB I like your writing, so long as you don’t say “stipulate” Thanks
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:08 pm
Mark, the world’s coming apart: Randy Travis found drunk and nude in the street.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:10 pm
We’ve all been there, todd.
Actually, no. I’ve never been drunk and nude in the street.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:14 pm
Falcons and Ravens. Your meal must be some kind of fowl.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:15 pm
I stipulate that I won’t use that word tonight, Freehawk.
Other words I overuse: “Alas,” “override,” “gifted,” “antidisestablishmentarianism.”
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
7:15 pm
I’m with you on this Superbowl thing MB
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:15 pm
Does a chicken sandwich count? Other choices: Hamburger, hot dog.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:16 pm
Neither has yours truly. Although i’ve seen several on East Campus Road.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:16 pm
Yeah, but I know I’m going to be wrong, falconsrus. Might as well steel yourself now.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:17 pm
Wasn’t East Campus the scene of a famous traffic stop?
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
7:18 pm
Did you follow Dent much at UGA will he put a dent in some saints r what
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:18 pm
yep. Supercalafragalisticexpeealedoshush. i’d like to see you work that into your commentary.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:19 pm
yes, Mr. Crowell met his Waterloo on that street.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:20 pm
Dent was a good college player. Georgia has many good players.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:20 pm
Mark, I’m afraid your prognistication of a Falcons appearance in the next Super Bowl will go down in infamy as one of your greatest whiffs.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
7:22 pm
Round 5…………. The CHOKE saga continues………..
or maybe the regime swann song
Rob
August 9th, 2012
7:22 pm
Mark, How much of Matty should we expect to see tonight? I wonder if ole Dirk is going to show us some screens tonite if the play calling suggest it..
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:22 pm
Closing in on gametime. I must note that a certain Falcons quarterback broke his leg in a preseason tilt against the Ravens nine years ago.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:23 pm
It and my prediction of Georgia playing for the BCS title in January 2013. I’m all in this fall.
Rob
August 9th, 2012
7:23 pm
I was at that game. Every time I think of Ravens-Falcons, i remember when Vick broke his fibula in that game
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:24 pm
Enter your comments hereGame being televised Mark?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:24 pm
Falcons have to play Ryan long enough to let him throw one screen. If they don’t, I’ll up and leave.
Actually, I won’t. But I’ll want to.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:24 pm
Game is on Channel 46, I’m told.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
7:25 pm
That Flacco is AMAGINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG……………
4 Seasons and 5 playoff wins, 2 championship games………….
Should have drafted Flaccooooooooooooooo
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:25 pm
After 46 years of mostly frustration, ineptitude, blown draft choices (Aundray Bruce, etal) Norb Hecker, Marion Campbell X 2, Pat Peppler, Dan Henning, etc., I will have to see Smitty accepting the Lombardi trophy before I trust your judgment again.
Rob
August 9th, 2012
7:25 pm
I hope to see a screen as well
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:25 pm
Televised tonite?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:26 pm
how time flies! i didnt realize it had been 9 years since Steve Bartkowski was on the gridiron.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:26 pm
What channel on Dish?
Chris Jones
August 9th, 2012
7:27 pm
How is the crowd looking in there Mark?
Chris Jones
August 9th, 2012
7:28 pm
RG3
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:28 pm
You got me on Dish, Lucius. No idea.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:29 pm
Defense got Ravens to AFC champ. not offenses…..
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:29 pm
Crowd is looking smallish. About what you’d expect for a first exhibition on a Thursday.
SeenThisB4
August 9th, 2012
7:30 pm
The Saints stand in your way, and they aren’t backing down. It’s our Super Bowl and the Saints are going to win it. The closest you’ll get is playing the Saints in the Mercedes Benz Super Bowl during the playoffs.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:30 pm
Call me LuLu Mark. All my friends do.
Tim
August 9th, 2012
7:31 pm
I suspect the falcons not to show too much of their new scheme, but Im sure there will be an emphasis to get Julio the ball in space.
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
7:31 pm
Don’t try to talk to choke Lucious he’s got as much smarts as a mushmelon
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:32 pm
Fox,NBC,ABC,ESPN?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:33 pm
It’s the CBS affiliate in Atlanta.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:33 pm
Hey mushmelon falconsrus is right….
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:34 pm
CBS – cry babies suck
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:35 pm
In a stunning move, the Falcons have elected to receive after winning the coin flip.
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
7:35 pm
I cant watch till 3 am on nflnw but ill watch pats and scents uip here in ma
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 9th, 2012
7:36 pm
Mike Smith looking at guy holding mike and thinking that they will allow anyone to hold a mike in the preseason.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:37 pm
was about to say it looks like a late arriving crowd
masivatack
August 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
You are the Dog’s Bollocks, Mark.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
Falcons’ first play from scrimmage is … a handoff to Michael Turner.
Mularkey phoned that one in.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:38 pm
Going no-huddle.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
And handing to Turner again.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
U know Turner gunna tote dat rock!
Tim
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
Murlarky needed to get his fix in lol.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
First down. Ryan to White. Easy.
P B Orr
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
HA! Season starts with two to Turner.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
Ryan with the audible, goes off tackle instead of straight ahead
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:40 pm
Ryan to Jones. First down. Ball at the Baltimore 35.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:40 pm
tv play by play guy is pronoucing Julio with a J rather than H.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:40 pm
SCREEENNN! To Julio!
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 9th, 2012
7:41 pm
great play call
Rob
August 9th, 2012
7:41 pm
Screen sighting!!!
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
7:41 pm
Beautiful screen to Julio…!!!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:41 pm
Falcons going with three receivers and no fullback this whole drive.
Luscious Lucius
August 9th, 2012
7:41 pm
Tony Gonzalez is on the team too ya know?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
here comes the mute button.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
TV guys are Tim Brant and Charles Davis.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
Touchdown. Fade to Julio.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
So far the offense is looking good. I like the screen to Julio. No more run, run, and throw. Mix it up
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
Nice throw. Nice catch.
Nice drive.
Super Bowl, here they come.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
JULIOOO!!!!!! I got a feeling Im going to be saying that A LOT this year.
WOW WHAT A CATCH!
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
is it still called hot dogging if you can back it up?
You see Matts Pythons?
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
Wow
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
I just saw JPW.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:44 pm
8 plays, 80 yards, 4:26
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:44 pm
Ryan 5-for-5, I do believe. Julio three catches.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:45 pm
Mark, any idea if Wes Durham is broadcasting on radio?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:47 pm
kickoff and commercial. sigh
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:47 pm
I’m excited to see the new and improved defense. Let’s see how they play on 3rd downs
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:47 pm
I assume the radio voice of the Falcons is indeed working.
Rob
August 9th, 2012
7:47 pm
Cant think of a better way to start off the season. Is Ryan gonna come back for another series? probably not
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
7:49 pm
I am sure Dominique Davis will get some reps tonite as well as us seeing the Rodgers brothers.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:49 pm
good grief this is an amateurish tv broadcast
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:50 pm
Whoa we stopped on 3rd down!
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
7:50 pm
Where did “Choke” go?
Hmm.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:50 pm
three and out for the Ravens.
Early line: Falcons by seven over the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
fair catch when closest defender is 10 yards away? not a good way to make the team.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
Damn – I went to pi$$ and when I come back we’re already back on Offense…..Nice.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:51 pm
Ryan back for another series.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
7:52 pm
Enter your flacco comments here
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:52 pm
Ryan 6-for-6. Great throw to White.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Wow Ryan looking sharp
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Ryan definitely appears to have a little more zip on his passes…Anyone else noticing this?
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
“A touple of Cuff yards..” hehe – nice broadcast..
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:54 pm
Ryan pass batted down. First incompletion.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:54 pm
Nice scrambling
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:55 pm
Caught out of bounds on third down by Drew Davis. Smitty challenging.
I think he’s out.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:55 pm
He bought time instead of throwing it away. Ryan already looks different
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
Should’ve drafted Flacco.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
What was smitty’s success rate last year on challenges
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
No catch. Right call, I do believe.
Replacement refs, remember.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
7:58 pm
Arizona? What city is he in?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:58 pm
ah, the mellifluous utterings of Wes Durham
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
7:58 pm
Bullhickey. He was in.
Doomed by that dadgum burden of proof.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
arizona?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
Falcons defense using three cornerbacks on first down.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
I was not aware of labor troubles in the striped shirts contingent.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:00 pm
Not saying “bullhickey” to you, Mark. I respectfully disagree with you.
Just a general “bullhickey” to the universe.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:00 pm
Understood.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Why isn’t Edwards playing
Wakka Flacco Lame
August 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Rebar Arm Ryan
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Another three and out.
Shouldn’t have drafted Flacco.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
are the officials striking?
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
Wow two 3 and outs.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
Long punt return by Dominique Franks.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
Nice return!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
I believe Ray Edwards played the first series.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
……is pitiful.
Mtn Falcon
August 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
Falcons and Matty Ice look UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
15 yard line
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
(Robin Williams, in a soothing voice to Joe Flacco:)
It’s not your fault…it’s not your fault.
Go Dominique Franks!!!
Bugs Bunny
August 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Nice return
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Bradie Ewing, backup fullback, is hurt.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:05 pm
“Choke” and Seen sure are taking a long time getting my beers.
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
8:05 pm
these officials at Gillette do not look to be very good
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:05 pm
This is a shame. Hope he’s ok.
By the way, did you notice they used Mughelli’s pic when showing “Cox” as our starting fullback?
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Torn acl
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Ryan intercepted. Not a good throw. Linebacker wasn’t seen.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Watch the Saints trolls pop up now.
Here’s your cue, boys.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Total Offense so far
Falcons 103 yards – Ravens 12 yards
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
theres the matt ryan we know! looking down the WR
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Dirty bird…? …..Really?…….. *Cricket*
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Flacco overthrows a touchdown pass.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Dang, he read that play from the start
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Stared down the receiver.
(Shudder)
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Same oldddddddddddddddd CHOKE…..HA HA
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Slowest first quarter ever.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:08 pm
Mark, not that all your prognostications are bad. I bet the grocery money on Georgia based upon your prediction.
Wakka Flacco Lame
August 9th, 2012
8:08 pm
That fb’s injury looked like a season ender.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:08 pm
didnt Ray Lewis have some legal difficulty in Georgia a few years ago?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Sacked. Another three and out.
Paul Lipsey
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Man, I bought that NFL Preseason online pass for $20 and it ain’t working! I can’t get the game any other way than this –
Mark, please step up the play-by
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
I really hope stephen Nicholas stays healthy the whole season
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
“Choke”, where’s my beer? You were gone a while.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
That Falcons defense is almost beastly.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Flacco is sizzling.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
Ravens not showing much on O. Or maybe the Falcons are just really good on D.
Or maybe it’s an exhibition game and it’s too early to be making such pronouncements.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
beastly is better than ghastly
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
“Choke” doesn’t come around until Ryan does something bad. Didn’t see him the whole time Ryan was lighting up their defense, but he makes one bad play and here he comes. What a tool.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
0 for 3 on 3rd down
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
Never too early for pronouncements!
For example, how do you pronounce “front-runner,” Choke?
P B Orr
August 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
Keep us informed about Ewing.
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:12 pm
Injuries freakin suck in football. There always has to be some injury its hard to avoid.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:12 pm
Ryan to Julio. Fifteen and a first.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:12 pm
Knee injury for Ewing. Won’t return to this game.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:13 pm
Pollard is a new target. Julio is such a good character guy…
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
I don’t like the sideline stuff very much, even though we got a TD with it.
Get Julio in space!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
Ryan scrambles and hits White. First down.
yo mama
August 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
mark whats the prognosis on bradie ewing?
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
Stephan nicholas (54) seems to be playing very well.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:15 pm
ehhh offense line
Lakewood
August 9th, 2012
8:15 pm
Hope Ewing is ok. Dimitroff sure loves drafting high character guys who get injured a lot. Not sure if Ewing has a history of injuries but it sure is par for the course as far as recent draft picks go…
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:15 pm
Ill proc on Justin Blalock
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
8:15 pm
Pick 6 CHOKE….HA HA
That weight room training really helped on that pick to the linebacker
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:16 pm
Justin Blalock never gets a flag. NEVER. What’s wrong with him?
And sadly I think Ewing’s season is over which I hate because I think he was going to start for us.
DP
August 9th, 2012
8:16 pm
“(Had the Falcons beaten Green Bay here in January 2011, they’d have won the Super Bowl.)”
Being spectacularly wrong the majority of the time is not going to stop Mark Bradley from making outlandish statements with absolute authority.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:17 pm
Ryan to Julio. Got held and still caught the ball.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:17 pm
JULIOOOOO – There it is again….
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:17 pm
O-line protecting Matt very, very well. I’m impressed so far. And Julio is a monster.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:18 pm
Watching the onfiield exam, looks like torn acl for ewing
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:18 pm
Im getting my Julio Jones jersey.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:18 pm
Thanks for the beer, Choke.
No one’s really sure what you’re talking about with the “Pick 6.” Are you trolling from the future or something?
Also, this isn’t the way I like my sandwich. Go back and get it right.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:18 pm
OLine must know their in an open competition – they are fighting down there…
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:19 pm
Look at little Quizz!…
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:19 pm
Loving the play calling. O-line is winning the battle up front.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:19 pm
Quizz Show!!!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:19 pm
Quarter ends. (Yay.) Falcons second-and-goal from the 2 after the Rodgers draw
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:20 pm
Seen, you’ve been awful quiet, man. Don’t let me down. Don’t be that guy.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:20 pm
I’m wearing my Julio Jones jersey as we speak.
Not really.
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:21 pm
After this drive let’s get the starters (all of them-those competing for starting jobs) out.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:21 pm
“Don’t be that guy.”
OK, you did it. You made me laugh out loud.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:21 pm
Wonder how much it took out of Cody to make that 96-yard walk to the other end.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:21 pm
This is surely it for the starters.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
Touchdown. Jacquizz.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
TD FOR QUIZZY!
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
TOUCHDOWN!!!!! QUIIZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! O-line is putting in WORK!
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
Im here in Hawaii, and im sure ill see Julio out here for Pro Bowl, or maybe not (Super Bowl MB)
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
Guess we just found out. Little Quizz just ran him over.
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:22 pm
So f’ing happy it’s football season!,!
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:23 pm
Alright starters, you did your job, get outta there. We need you vs. the Chiefs.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:23 pm
Bradley’s rule of thumb: The only score worth noting in an exhibition is the score when the first starting quarterback leaves. It’s 14-0.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:23 pm
Honored, Mark!
Got to let the Saints trolls know we won’t take this lying down. Like Cody on that TD just now.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:23 pm
a FLACCO SHUTOUT
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:24 pm
all 4 QBs will play tonight?
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:24 pm
Choke?
Seen?
(echo)
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:24 pm
Pretty impressive, so far. Remembering always that it’s preseason.
Waycross,Ga Dawg
August 9th, 2012
8:25 pm
@MB, How is the defense and o line looking?
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:25 pm
I agree MArk, its only presseason. but I would rather feel good about us being up 14-0 than cursing about why we are down 14-0. Ill take the former.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
Preseason or not, these guys look for real. I know it’s different week to week, but you know they’re going to turn it up a notch come regular season. Pat Hill may be the best hire we did this off-season. He’s got that O-line up and running and it’s only preseason game 1.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
I think we see Franks as the full time Punt returner come game 1. I just watched a replay of his long return and he just looks like a natural return guy. He took excellent angles and had great burst – Weems who?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
O-line looks fine. D-line looks fine. Scoreboard tells us so.
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
Falcons clicking on all cylinders in the first preseason game. Usually teams don’t.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:26 pm
Big sack on Flacco. Dent. Aptly named.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
Dent looked good there – played RIGHT to the whistle..
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
First first down. Flacco to Smith.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
What’s great is that this is the Ravens, not the [fill in NFL bottom-dweller here].
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
I like Mike Nolan’s game calling
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
I wish they would shut this woman up on TV. She’s going on and on with her 15 minutes of fame.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
THAT HURTS
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
OK. Ravens starting to move against the No. 2 D.
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
The Ravens can finally move the ball against the 2nd team.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
I havent seen any edge rush yet
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:29 pm
Shillinger got got
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:29 pm
That was a bad tackle by franks
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:29 pm
Damn – Leach is a blob. isn’t he?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:29 pm
That was a missed tackle by Franks
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:30 pm
Before you guys start getting worried about our defense, this is the NUMBER TWO defense. Not the starters okay?
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:30 pm
Thanks Beastly…..for the heads up…………..
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
Ravens inside the 10.
Should have drafted Flacco. (Except that he just missed an open man in the EZ.)
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
I guess they want Flacco to feel good move the ball against a 2nd team defense.
Prometheus
August 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
Its probably backup quarterback time for the Falcons. More Quizz though
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
There’s the touchdown. Hits tight end Dickson. Might have been Akeem Dent at fault.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:32 pm
Flacco was getting SHUT DOWN by our first team defense. I feel good still about our defense.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:32 pm
If any Falcons starter plays another down, I’ll be stunned.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:32 pm
Nice little confidence boost for Flacco.
(pats Flacco’s head)
Don’t worry, we won’t let that mean 1st team defense beat you up anymore.
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:32 pm
Hope Dent can man the middle. That’s the position that worries me the most on this D right now.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
Bradley, after last pre-season’s fiasco, do they play to win or evaluate?
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:34 pm
I noticed that Peterson was starting in the middle with the first team instead of Dent. I guess they trust him more than Dent.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:34 pm
Evaluate. That’s not even an issue.
Winning four exhibitions won’t make 24-2 go away.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:34 pm
Phar71 – You’re right – Dent needs to show up a little. Nic looked real good in the First…
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Good call, Kerryb. Not throwing Dent into the deep end yet. Will be very curious to see how that develops.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Dent will mostly play on 1st and 2nd downs at most. We’ll go with Sean and Nicholas most of the time with 3db
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Redman at QB.
Ryan 9 for 13, 155 yards, one touchdown, one interception.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
Anyone have Ryan’s numbers after last year’s first preseason game?… – Did I just make year a person?
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Dent will mostly play on 1st and 2nd downs at most. We’ll go with Sean and Nicholas most of the time with 3db
___________________________________________________________
Dunta better be good in run support in the nickel because that will invite teams to run on us.
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:38 pm
Sam – no doubt, but not sure he is a starter in this league…time will tell I’m sure.
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:38 pm
Also get Rogers out of there, he is to important this year
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:38 pm
No, that was good grammar, Jesus.
A year can possess things.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:38 pm
Kerryb, dunta can’t be any worse against the run as he is against one on one. At least he dives hard
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Redman is a horrible QB. We definitely need to look at a younger, more athletic backup QB for Ryan. I just don’t trust Redman.
POPCORN UNICORN
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Redman is solid but we need an upgrade
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Game has begun to disintegrate. That’s what happens when you sub.
Redman had two batted down.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
why is redman still our backup?
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Dent!!!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Uh oh. Akeem Dent down.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
Got hurt covering punt.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
Uh oh….Dents down…
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
Akeem Dent just went down for the count. I think he got knocked out.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
Shouldn’t Parker or Davis playing instead of redman. We already know redman is the #2
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
I thought that was Dunta’s one strength, being physical. Thought the knock on him is that he can’t cover outside.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
welp there goes our season
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
That trainer just told Coach Smith “He got knocked out”
Phar71
August 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
Damn we were just talking about him, and he gets knocked out. Hope he is okay!
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
Crap
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
Dent walks off. Looks wobbly.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
This is why I hate preseason games. They get boring whenever the starters go out.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
Tyrod Taylor in now. Flacco out.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
Wow. What’s the backup plan at middle LB if Dent stays out?
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
@ Bradley…
I was talking about that failure of a preseason more than that butt whipping administered by Big Blue!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Tyrod Taylor will give the second-teamers fits.
Choke Ryan Jr.
August 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Hi Choke. Where u been?
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Guess it’s “only” a concussion.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
redman should retire
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Fat boy fell into a gap and got a tackle!
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
Nobody cares about preseason results. Falcons still made the playoffs last year, I note.
POPCORN UNICORN
August 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
Hate to see players get hurt in meaningless games
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
Is it too early to call peria Jerry a bust
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:45 pm
Choke Jr., your dad was feeling tired. Had to go to bed early.
JesusHChristo
August 9th, 2012
8:45 pm
Jerry is pumped man. If we can get him back to where we first thought he would be….wow…
Georgia Sports Reports
August 9th, 2012
8:45 pm
Why is our starting middle linebacker covering punts in the 2nd quarter of the 1st exhibition game?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:45 pm
Head injury for Akeem Dent. Won’t return to game.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:46 pm
JSS, are you trolling last year’s preseason?
(shakes head sadly)
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:47 pm
The O-line is OWNING the Ravens D-line.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:48 pm
why is your starting MLB playing on special teams though
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:48 pm
smitty loves me this i know
for the scoreboard tells me so
all the foes to him belong
they are weak but smitty’s strong
yes smitty loves me
yes smitty loves me
yes smitty loves me
the scoreboard tells me so
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
with apologies to all those wonderful Sunday school teachers of long ago.
POPCORN UNICORN
August 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
Vick has a minor hand injury.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
Dang, TG, know I’m going to have that song in my head all night.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
ugh get redman outtttttt
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
8:50 pm
Can JPW or Dominique Davis push Chris Redman out of the Back-up spot?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:50 pm
bitten by a k-9 no doubt
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:50 pm
I hate Chris Redman.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
until Smitty gives up chewing tobacco Redman will always have a job
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
can redman get released?
Kerryb
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
The defense looked really good and William Moore was not playing tonight.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Dang, Coach Grantham. I’m going to have that song in my head all night now.
Choke Ryan Jr.
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Nite Owl I believe you are correct…
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
If the Falcons’ season comes down to Chris Redman … well, then I’m not seeing a Super Bowl in it.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Seriously if Parker can’t win the backup job, it’s time to cut him and find another option
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:52 pm
my god look at peyton
nobody
August 9th, 2012
8:52 pm
So Bradley do they think Dent has a Concussion or just got knocked out?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:52 pm
The Redman reaction: Satisfaction.
Remember that TV spot?
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:52 pm
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
“Nobody cares about preseason results. Falcons still made the playoffs last year, I note”
If they had not laid that egg in Chicago the last opener I’d say yes… They are opening on the road (again) and have shown absolutely no sense of urgency the last two years about starting strong…
What did Smith say: “Try something different?”
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
True enough, Mark, but I’m hard pressed to think of any team that’s SB-bound without their starting QB.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
I don’t know what they think about Dent’s head injury. Just that it’s a head injury.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
Except for the Arizona comment, the refs look ok
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
what a throw
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
@JSS:
(snapping fingers)
Wake up, man. It’s 2012 now. Was the first quarter tonight not enough “urgency” for you? Stop living in the past. Specifically 2009.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
Nite owl, remember guys named Kurt Warner and Tom Brady. They were bak up qbs until the starters got hurt.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
Can we see what Dominique Davis looks like?
JSS
August 9th, 2012
8:56 pm
Nite Owl…
Won’t even dignify that silly comment…
Sam
August 9th, 2012
8:56 pm
But redman is no Warner or brady
Let's laugh at Mark
August 9th, 2012
8:56 pm
Never back to back winning seasons and the Falcons survived and suddenly in 4 seasons the bar has gone so much higher….in Mark’s pea brain, that is.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
8:56 pm
how many players on the falcons have dreads?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:57 pm
Nite Owl, you gotta blame the song on Mark. His writing was the inspiration.
Beastly
August 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
Mike Nolan’s defense is going to be great. I think so because we have different blitz packages, etc. Our secondary looks like it needs to tighten up a little bit, but hey, we still have time to work on it.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
@Sam:
I hear ya. I guess someone could jump up and catch fire. But there aren’t even enough starting QBs to go around these days. Could the Steelers win without Big Ben? The Saints without Brees? The Packers without Rodgers? Etc.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
maybe his head is a little Dented.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:00 pm
@Let’s Laugh at Mark:
“Never back to back winning seasons and the Falcons survived and suddenly in 4 seasons the bar has gone so much higher….”
Yes, exactly. Your point?
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:00 pm
Yea but to go 1 for 6 with 8 yards and a 39.6 QB rating is pretty bad even for a back-up
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:01 pm
Remember when Eddegerrin James got tackled by his Dreads and the next week he shaved his head lol
POPCORN UNICORN
August 9th, 2012
9:02 pm
@J.J.M, 26
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
9:02 pm
Mark, you must be working on the print version of tonights events.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
9:03 pm
Staubach was a backup, but that was Landry being stubborn… And of course, there was Doug Williams and Morrall
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:03 pm
@JSS:
(taking off clown nose, oversized rubber shoes:)
Trolling.
The.
Preseason.
From.
Last.
Year.
Now who’s being “silly,” eh?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
9:04 pm
Earl Morral was the greatest journeyman QB of all times. Not a lot of talent, but sure could win games. Except the most important one of his career, alas.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
9:07 pm
How about frank reich for the bills. One of the greatest comeback in nfl playoffs against the oillers
JSS
August 9th, 2012
9:07 pm
@ Nite Owl…
Answer…
You…
They said the preseason was no indicator for their preparedness to be ready for the Bears… They were horrible… Right or wrong?
POPCORN UNICORN
August 9th, 2012
9:08 pm
Doug Flutie was a beast
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:08 pm
Earl Morral won Super-Bowl 5 after replacing Johnny Unitas after an injury and won it and also won Superbowl 7 and 8 as a back-up in Miami and played 11 games for an injured Bob Griese in the Perfect season.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
9:08 pm
I’m getting sleepy now
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:09 pm
Lets see what Dominique Davis can do?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
9:12 pm
imagine being mostly a footnote in John Unitas’ biography
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:12 pm
@JSS:
First of all, you stopped me dead in my tracks with the Staubach thing. Spent the last five minutes on his Wikipedia page. I had no idea he backed up Craig Morton. In one game in ‘71, Coach Landry alternated Staubach and Morton on every single play. Got 500 yards of offense but seven turnovers and lost 23-19 to the Bears.
As for last year, I think the biggest problem was McClure was out, Hawley was not ready, and the Bears with Jay Cutler at home just whooped our asses. I think it was Mularkey’s stubbornness as an OC also, more than not being ready as a team.
But of course the “no indicator” stuff was just coachspeak. They had to say that; what else could they say? “We’re screwed?” Of course not.
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
August 9th, 2012
9:13 pm
That crazy replacement Ref still thinks he’s in Arizona.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:13 pm
Print duty did call. But that has been performed.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:15 pm
John Parker Wilson leading a drive, if you want to use the term loosely.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:15 pm
Yes, lots of great backup QBs have done it in the past. Not sure if anyone mentioned Jeff Hostetler yet.
I’m just saying in today’s NFL, I don’t know who that guy is or if that kind of thing can happen anymore.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:17 pm
With the salary cap, nobody can afford a really good No. 2.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
9:17 pm
Why not run a play instead of kicking the fg
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:17 pm
Field goal, Falcons. Falcons lead 17-7 at the break. And boy do I need one.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:17 pm
Remember when Billy Volek was all the rage?
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:18 pm
Choke and Seen have decided to move on to the Tampa Bay blogs.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:19 pm
JPW driving down the field and getting the field goal…..
Looks like the Back-up to me
Sam
August 9th, 2012
9:19 pm
But the crazy thing is, how did 30 teams miss on Warner and Brady? I mean they clearly had the talent but 30 teams missed it. Just mind boggling
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:22 pm
The best way to get a good #2 quaterback is to draft 1 that can be groomed to start like Matt Schaub was.
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
9:22 pm
Drew Brees 1 for 4 for 4 yds
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:23 pm
@Sam:
Definitely. Not only did every team miss on those guys, but they missed over and over and over. Anyone could have had those guys late in the draft, but they were busy drafting some crappy backup CB or something. Amazing.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:24 pm
Now you’ve got me thinking about biggest Falcon misses. I know there are a lot, but for some reason the one that bothers me the most is picking Jammi German when Hines Ward was sitting right there. Aargh.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
9:25 pm
Like I said, it is not “trolling” when they have a problem with developing players and having them to step up… Smith needs to just stop with so much coach speak (within reason) and get them really ready…
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:26 pm
Well it happens Sam. The combine makes guys like Vernon Gholston top 10 picks and guys like Jesse Tuggle go undrafted. But IF YOU WATCH THE GAME FOOTAGE you can see who is talented. Thats why I believe Jordan White from the Jets will be better than Stephen Hill. Because Jordan was a great player on the field but didnt run a 4.3. Stephen Hill is a combine wonder.
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
9:27 pm
I’m sorry Brees 2 for 8 8 yds my bad
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:27 pm
But its not that teams “missed” on these great players. Its that these great players fought and climbed up the ladder and kept beating all the competition
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:27 pm
@J-Man:
Agreed. Another way is to pick up a vet that just hasn’t blossomed yet, but those are usually snapped up for starting gigs, like a Rich Gannon.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:28 pm
@J-Man:
Another great point about fighting your way. I can’t say Brady had to fight and claw all that much; it kind of fell into his lap. But Warner? Definitely.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:29 pm
Falcons draft misses?
That will keep us going the whole second half. Bruce (Slim) Pickens. Aundray (Machete) Bruce. Steve (The Bruiser) Broussard. Rick Bryan. Reggie Kelly in Round 2. German over Hines Ward. Sonny Collins (UK Wildcat).
JSS
August 9th, 2012
9:30 pm
Mark Bradley… Jason Campbell is mad at you!
SeenThisB4
August 9th, 2012
9:32 pm
I have to hand it to the Falcants – they actually look good…
W
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:35 pm
@JSS:
Yeah, I’m overusing “troll” just to apply to all Saints fans (or anti-Falcons). I should give that term a rest for a little while.
I think that every team has a lot of “bust” draft picks every year. We just see the Falcons ones because we follow them most closely. You can’t just give up on everyone who doesn’t play well out of the gate or gets hurt. You have to give your investment every chance to blossom.
Take Sam Baker for example. He wasn’t bad as a rookie, and if he had stayed healthy, he’d probably be a pretty good NFL left tackle. But he was hurt pretty bad last year, supposedly couldn’t feel his arm and things like that, so he was useless. But he’s still a talent—why not give him every chance if he’s healthy?
Or Sidbury. It’s taken the guy almost four years to be relevant, but if he becomes a beast, he’ll be OUR beast and not someone else’s.
Or Robert James. He’s basically an oversized safety, but he’s quick and athletic. He made a nice sack tonight. Why not give him every chance?
I believe that the coaches are not going to overlook someone better just to be stubborn and keep a draft pick that’s not panning out. If that were the case, we wouldn’t have picked up Asante Samuel. We would’ve insisted that Chris Owens or Dominique Franks had to step up this year.
And as far as Smitty’s coachspeak, I know you’ve heard Belichick talk. That guy gives you NOTHING. Believe me, he makes Smitty look like a Chatty Cathy.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:37 pm
@JSS:
I gave you a long and thoughtful response, but the Blog Monster may have eaten it. Hope if pops up soon.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:38 pm
@Seen:
You don’t need my respect, but you have it. Although I was calling you out most of the night. Lol.
I’m hoping for a hell of a year, but for now, I’ll just take a good first half.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:42 pm
Thanks for the props, Seen. I think it’s going to be an interesting year all around.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
9:42 pm
I’m going to shut up for a while. I’ve been talking too much.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:45 pm
And I’ll miss you, Nite Owl. Thanks for keeping it going.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
9:50 pm
@ Nite Owl…
Saw it, noted
ijonathan
August 9th, 2012
9:52 pm
Boy, this came is just clipping right along. Nice pace to it.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:54 pm
Even though Im not able to watch this game im in here and got gamecast on ESPN goin
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:55 pm
Right now I wanna see who is gonna take the #4 and #5 WR spots who can get open and catch the ball
ijonathan
August 9th, 2012
9:55 pm
Mark, have you resorted to taking toothpicks out of the frou-frou press box sandwiches and using them to keep your eyelids open?
ijonathan
August 9th, 2012
9:57 pm
If the Falcons lose this game, it will mean absolutely nothing. The first teamers absolutely dominated the Ravens first string.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
9:58 pm
Tied now. Falcons fumbled. Ravens punched it in, as they say.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
9:58 pm
Yea but injuries can always happens and then these 2nd stringers are starting
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:03 pm
Well JPW isnt much better than Redman. Lets see what Dominque Davis can do
ijonathan
August 9th, 2012
10:03 pm
Is it good or bad when your GM drops the “it is outside the scope of this conversation” during a pre-season, in-game interview? Discuss…
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:05 pm
Ah, I’m back. “Choke” just made me a nice sandwich. He’s been in the kitchen crying most of the night. He says it’s just the onions from my sandwich, but I know better…
Did I miss anything? Oh my God, is it really still the 3rd quarter? Whew.
I would have JPW shoot me to put me out of my misery, but he’d probably miss…
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:09 pm
As great as Smitty is at coachspeak, TD is even better at GMspeak.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:10 pm
Had a fun post about taking a break to eat the sandwich “Choke” made me, but I think it got eaten. It was too cheap a pop anyway.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:10 pm
I trust “nothing” out of Dimitroff’s mouth…
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:11 pm
what about the ones that got away like Bret Favre? and Harmon Wages?
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:11 pm
I wish we could throw the ball down the field. I’m sure the crowd is half sleep lol
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:12 pm
The post got eaten, not the sandwich. Well, the sandwich got eaten too. Never mind.
That was NOT pass interference. That was a perfect defensive play. Where did they get these refs anyway?
Oh, right.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:12 pm
The crowd is not half-asleep. But I might be.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:12 pm
That would have been a touchdown in the CFL.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:15 pm
great picks of Falcons: Scott Woerner. Warren Bryant. Tony Casillas.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:15 pm
@Asst Head Coach Grantham:
The ones that got away…definitely Deion.
How about All-Pros that came here at the end of their career? Eric Dickerson, Chris Doleman, Pierce Holt come to mind.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:15 pm
Ravens lead 24-17. Have outscored the Falcons 24-3.
Then again, the Falcons’ starters outscored the Ravens 14-0.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:16 pm
Number 82 still ended up scoring
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:16 pm
No in anyone’s wildest dream could anyone realize the Falcons’ best pick was their very first one: Mr. Tommy Nobis.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:17 pm
Nite Owl,remember Bobby Hebert?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
and the old, old QB from Dallas Wade something or other
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
Dang….Ravens number 3 looks better than Falcants number 1.5
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
@JSS:
What’s there to trust? He’s not giving you anything. “We’re happy with the team we have, but we’re always looking to improve.” Blah blah blah.
But they actually have been very forthcoming about the fact that it’s not acceptable to go one-and-done in the playoffs. “Our goal here is to win a championship.” Not hiding from anything.
Do you want him to go Looney-Tunes like Jerry Jones and start saying things like “The window is closing, we need to win before I die soon”?
nobody
August 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
Maybe we should make lamark a LB. Bad hands but nice hit
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:19 pm
Yes that should have been a catch
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:19 pm
Mark
Its not how you start its how you finish.
Nice GOP spin though
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:20 pm
Dimitroff is a famously engaging conversationalist. I mean that sincerely.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:21 pm
Boy guess we should make a call to John Kitna, Donovan McNabb or Dante Culpepper. Our Back-ups are awful
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:21 pm
It was so obvious when the Smiths owned the team they loved UGA football and wanted to emulate it from the red jerseys, to the draft picks of Royce Smith and Scott Woerner to hiring Mr. Munson to do the play-by-play.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:21 pm
@Asst Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Grantham:
Yes! Bobby Hebert and Wade Wilson! They both played pretty well for us, actually. Wade had a gallon or two left in the tank.
I was at the game (’95 I think) when Jeff George went down from a cheap shot by the 49ers and Hebert came in to lead us to victory and a playoff berth. The lunatic next to me kept yelling, “Throw at Eric Davis! He’s an All-Pro!” To this day, I’ll never understand why he was screaming that.
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:21 pm
Lmao wait where was this choke guy when the falcons were winning?
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:23 pm
Number 70 on the falcons will get cut
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:23 pm
@”Choke”:
That sandwich you made me was awesome. A little too much mustard for my tastes, though. I’m sure you’ll learn from this and do better next time. And when the pony keg is kicked, you need to be a little quicker to tap the next one.
Oh, and you couldn’t be wronger. It’s not how you finish in the preseason. It’s how much you disappear while you’re getting your rear end kicked.
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:24 pm
remember the Falcons drafting Pat Sullivan who stood all of 4 feet 9 inches tall?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:24 pm
Well folks it looks like this will be the last season the city will have to watch the clown show known as CHOKE
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:25 pm
Gotta love the screens to the running back
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:25 pm
I bet the Colts are asking where this Painter was last year…..actually their not since they got Andrew Luck
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:25 pm
Just give me Ozzie Newsome confident, you can be honest without being Foxborough South… There is a balance
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:26 pm
So it appears we have Blane Gabbert type of Back-ups
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:27 pm
Don’t get me wrong, Mark. I love listening to TD’s interviews. I just don’t think he’s going to give you the Rex Ryan or Jerry Jones type of crazy stuff. Which is a good thing. It means he’s not crazy like, say, Rex Ryan or Jerry Jones.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:27 pm
Just in……………..
Art Blank is on the phone with Baltimore to make a trade for Painter and CHOKE will be holding Flacco’s clipboard…..ha ha
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:28 pm
is it time to turn out the lights?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:28 pm
I’m thinking Ryan better not miss a snap.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:29 pm
Geez Choke why do you hate Matt Ryan so much?
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:29 pm
JSS, the Falcons’ history has been more like Ozzie Nelson
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:30 pm
Hey Bradley is there anything positive you have taken away from the Back-ups QBs
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:31 pm
@”Choke”:
Um. Okay.
“Arrested Development”: Noun. An abnormal state in which development has stopped prematurely.
Related Words for : arrested development
fixation, infantile fixation, regression
todd grantham
August 9th, 2012
10:31 pm
Mark, is Mr. Blank attired in his best Saville Row duds?
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:31 pm
Put dominique davis in with people who can actually catch the ball
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:31 pm
Grantham that’s cold!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:32 pm
Why does Ossie Newsome’s personnel always look better than Dimotroff?
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
I’m positive the backups aren’t of starting caliber.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:34 pm
@Nite Owl
You didn’t like the taste of the condiments?
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:35 pm
Actually I don’t see much of a difference from CHOKE and the backups.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:35 pm
@”Choke”:
So let me get this straight. You think Matt Ryan will be run out of town after this year, based on his performance tonight.
You think the Ravens “personnel” is better because their scrubs are better.
Ok. Just checking. (Whistling, walking away slowly…)
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:36 pm
Touche Senor Bradley.
Well tell Matt Ryan not to get hurt.
If that happens we will turn into the Colts
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
So when the Falcons play the Bengals next week on Fox should I just turn the channel after the 1st Quarter
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
Choke, I know you watched the first half tonight. I have that little black and white TV in the kitchen that I let you use. It was probably hard to see clearly through all the tears.
HA HA HA HA HA SMILEY FACE ZING OMGZ LULZ
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:39 pm
@Nite Owl
5>0
Class is out
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:39 pm
You know, speaking of next week, it will be really cool to see A.J. play. Didn’t get to see him much last year except in highlights. What a beast.
GT = Wide Receiver U
August 9th, 2012
10:40 pm
Matt Ryan was very impressive tonight….9-13 155yds 1TD against probably the best D in the league. Things are looking good in the ATL!
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:40 pm
Lol yup turn the channel after the 1st quarter
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:41 pm
The age-old debate whos better: A.J. vs. Julio
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:42 pm
Choke, what color is the sky in your world?
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:43 pm
Mike Wallace, but he is bat crazy!!!
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
You will never see SeenthisB4 or Choke if the Falcons are winning
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:45 pm
Oh, New Orleans got two field goals tonight. That’s so cute. I could just eat them up.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:45 pm
Man, they are falling like flies!!!
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:46 pm
FINALLY…….Dwight Howard got traded……..Whoopie doo.
Now we can finally get on with our lives and I think Bradley needs to write an article on how we never needed him in the 1st place.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:46 pm
At least Seen dropped in to congratulate us. “Choke” is just Vincent D’Onofrio in Full Metal Jacket.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:48 pm
Was just going to praise No. 49 for his good hands…
Guh.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:48 pm
Think I wrote that one already, J-MAN.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/07/03/with-money-to-spend-should-the-hawks-spend-it-on-dwight/
J.J.M.
August 9th, 2012
10:49 pm
Smh poor davis team not helping him…move davis to the backup role!!! Release redman and move parker to number 3
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
You will never see SeenthisB4 or Choke if the Falcons are winning
_________________________________________
Then you should see me PLENTY in the 1st round of the playoffs……..
HA HA
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
“Thank God for Dwight Howard.”
—LeBron James
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:52 pm
Man, got so wrapped up in this game that I forgot to tape Burn Notice.
I did remember to record “Louie”, though.
J-MAN
August 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
Well choke what if we dont make the playoffs or get a 1st round bye then you will be made the fool
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
@”Choke”:
That’s because we’ll have a first round bye!
HA HA HA SMILEY FACE OMFG LULZ HEE HEE
coacht
August 9th, 2012
10:55 pm
How bad is the injury to Bradie Ewing and also to Dent…Dent looked like a concussion…Ewing mayhave been a knee…whew…hope not serious. But it didn’t look good. Same thing happened with Mier a year ago. But he has worked his way back.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:55 pm
Bradley, is MCR even allowed on your blogs? Schultz gives him a place to blog….
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
10:57 pm
Two-minute warning. At 10:56 p.m.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:57 pm
I mean Seen…
Michael "CHOKE DOGS" Vick
August 9th, 2012
10:57 pm
Man I got hurt AGAIN?! LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
When “Choke” gets a chocolate milk break, he likes to drink it really fast.
And Davis looks great. He just “looks” like a QB so much more than Red Man or JPW right now.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
Nite Owl, a Mike Smith team should never want a 1st round bye!
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:00 pm
@JSS:
I know you’re not asking me, so forgive me for jumping in, but Seen posted a few times tonight, even jumped in to congratulate the Falcons. Thought that was pretty classy.
Mark Bradley
August 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
We’re nearing the end, at last. Ravens win 31-17, not that it matters.
Thanks for the company.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
So what is the preseason losing streak up to?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
11:02 pm
FINAL ANALYSIS: What this game means.
First of all this game was played vs a defense without the defensive player of the year “T Sizzle.”
Secondly, this game demonstrated just how thin this Falcant team is.
Final point: Turner, Jones, White and/or Gonzales have better not get injured.
Good luck with that. Once again another FAILURE is in the cards
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:04 pm
@JSS:
Yes, that game was a nightmare. That game taught me the patience of Job. I felt like throwing the remote out the window, but my 6-year-old son was sitting right there cheering on his Falcons, so I had to keep it together.
“Dad, they can come back in the 2nd half.”
“Son, let me explain the psychological ramifications of a pick six just before halftime…and the term Swiss cheese as applied to a defense…”
Still, I’ll take a first-round bye any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Loserville USA
August 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
Cuts should be predictable and easy this season. Let’s get rolling.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
Thanks Mark!
And “Choke,” you can pretend you have the final word. No one is listening.
Good night everyone!
falconsrus
August 9th, 2012
11:07 pm
Thanks MB
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
@Loserville USA:
Awesome to hear from you! How are things in San Diego?
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
See you next week, guys. Same Bat time, same Bat channel.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 9th, 2012
11:09 pm
A Falcant game is the reason why Comedy Central is only aired once a week
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:11 pm
That doesn’t even make sense.
Hey “Choke,” let’s go back and forth like this and see who gives up first. It will be really neat.
Nite Owl
August 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
Just kidding. I’m going to go watch “Louie” now. You should try it, Choke. It would be good for you to laugh at something besides the moon. The neighbors are starting to talk.
JSS
August 9th, 2012
11:16 pm
Night trolls. I mean Falcon fans JK!!!
Choke Ryan Jr.
August 9th, 2012
11:16 pm
Well Well Well…what you think fans? Are you satisfied? I must admit my view of the Falcons and Icey is a bit different from that of my father’s. I support them…Im just not confident in them as of yet.
Falcon Jim
August 9th, 2012
11:24 pm
Geez, the only thing worse than this blog was the broadcast of the game. I’ve been watching/listening to games since before 1965 (heck, Ray Scott was my late dad’s cousin.) Tonight set an all-time low for any attempt to call a game. Embarrassing. Horrible. My son’s high school 100-watt broadcast is much better than these bozo’s that forgot they were suppose to call a game. Shame on this station and these alleged broadcasters. Unbelievably bad. (So were the Falcons after the 1st string left.)
K Money
August 9th, 2012
11:36 pm
“Had the Falcons beaten Green Bay in January 2011, they would have been Super Bowl Champions”… What the h$%$%? Are you high? This has to be the most innacurate, illogical, and downright idiotic statement ever written by a “professional” sports writer. How did you come to that conclusion exactly Mr. Bradley? No, take your time, please explain this to me. How is a team who lost its first playoff game with home field advantage to a 9-7 team by 27 points going to automatically win the Super Bowl, had they won that game? Would they suddenly have transformed into the 85 Bears between the 27 point drubbing and the NFC title game? Why would they have not gotten slaughtered by another superior team in the NFC title game by 30 points this time? And if they magically survived that? Why would the Atlanta Falcons have won the Super Bowl? Considering the only Super Bowl appearance, they got hammered by the Broncos, and probably shouldnt have even taken the field. Yes Mark Bradley said the team that is 0- the franchise history in winning Super Bowls, would have definitively won the 2011 Super Bowl, if they didnt get beat like a ragdoll by 27 points to the Packers. Can i have some of those drugs, Bradley?
vuduchld
August 9th, 2012
11:43 pm
What a hoot of a game. Falcants had a 14-0 lead and you fools had dreams of a Super Bowl in your pea size brains, but true to form, the Falcants did what they always have done, blow games. Now don’t try and explain away this one because I saw some of the game on the NFL Network and what I saw was a team that is going nowhere, just like they have in previous seasons. Keep drinking the Jim Jones Kool-Aid people, this team SUCKS!
Opening night: A passing grade for the Falcons’ passing game | Mark Bradley
August 10th, 2012
11:26 am
[...] We can’t even know if the Falcons be playing then. Being human, we still look for clues. And what we saw Thursday night was most encouraging. The Falcons met the Baltimore Ravens, who played for the AFC title last season, and looked much the [...]