A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be
Ball in the air, game on the line. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
For three games they’d run nice and easy, never once trailing, facing only one gotta-have-this drive. (That came against Denver, and they got it.) But the Falcons play in the NFL, where nothing stays nice and easy, and Sunday they happened on an opponent who wouldn’t yield and a predicament that would have taxed the faith of a saint.
So it was that Matthew Thomas Ryan, named after two saints, took a snap at his 1 and backtracked into the end zone with 59 seconds remaining and his team, without a timeout to its name, down a point. Already Ryan had been sacked seven times, and as a nod to Carolina’s pressure the Falcons did something odd. At a moment of near-desperation, a time when you’d expect every receiver on the roster to be zigging this way or that, they dispatched only two men to run routes.
Roddy White down the left side, Julio Jones on the right. Everybody else stayed to block, and even as he retreated Ryan did a strange thing: He faked a handoff to Jacquizz Rodgers, and here you almost laughed. What offense in its right mind bothers with faking a run at its 1 with no timeouts left?
This carefully considered offense did. “It was actually more a protection thing,” Ryan would say of the play-action ploy, and it worked. Given a clean pocket for the first time in ages, he stepped forward and let fly. The ball traveled 65 yards and came down in the professional hands of Roddy White, who’d beaten Josh Norman and outleaped (for the second time this day) safety Haruki Nakamura. Just like that, the undefeated Falcons were positioned to win on a day they coulda/shoulda lost.
Said Todd McClure, the center: “It’s unbelievable. Matt said, ‘I went back and threw it as far as I could, and Roddy made a play.’ ”
Said Ryan: “It was a good throw and a great catch.”
Said White: “I try to track [the ball] at its highest point and jump just before [the defender] does. It’s kind of easy to do.”
Well, no. It’s not easy to do. But the beauty of these Falcons is that they have enough talent to carry them above and beyond. It’s why they’re 4-0 and have all but lapped the field in the NFC South. It’s why they’re capable of winning much more than the NFC South.
Ryan again: “I threw it high and far. We practice that. Roddy went up and got it.”
Then this: “In that situation, you have to make a play that changes the outcome of the game.”
The famous Cam Newton nearly made such a play inside the final two minutes, but he fumbled while lunging for what would have been the clinching first down. (John Abraham, man in the news, knocked it loose.) Had Newton held the ball, the Falcons wouldn’t have touched it again. As it was, the ball was moved backward and Carolina coach Ron Rivera flinched at fourth-and-1, and for his timidity he wound up losing.
If you have a choice, you don’t give a great quarterback a chance to beat you. And that’s what Ryan is becoming – a great quarterback. He has won unwinnable games before (meaning Chicago as a rookie), but in the fifth year of his NFL life he has become the guy who, as the glib coach Jimmy Johnson used to say, “can sink the 8-ball on the break.” How else to describe a quarterback who took his trailing team 77 yards in 49 seconds without needing to call time?
That the Falcons won on a day when they weren’t the best only tells us they’re not just gifted but fierce. They needed that test, and they aced it. Said Mike Smith, their coach: “It was just a matter of time before we would have to play from behind.”
Said McClure: “We’ve got unbelievable skill guys, and we know that if there’s a little bit of time we can win.”
Apart from the ending, this wasn’t a great day for the Falcons. Because of the ending, it became a great day. It showed them that they can do whatever it takes to win. It showed them that their quarterback can absorb a dozen big hits and rise above the bruising. It showed them that their ceiling is higher than the roof of the venue for this stunning escape.
By Mark Bradley
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258 comments Add your comment
GT Trumpet
September 30th, 2012
6:50 pm
I am a believer in Matt Ryan!
Goldenrod
September 30th, 2012
6:57 pm
I am STILL a believer in Georgia Tech football! If we can beat the leghumpers in Athens all is forgiven with Coach Johnson and Coach Groh.
I think yesterday was just a speed bump, we underestimated the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University.
THWG, Falcons & Doggies are overrated!
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
6:58 pm
Matty and Smitt made a believer out of me too.
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
6:58 pm
SMITTY!!
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
6:59 pm
Golden, you prove Einstein’s theory of insanity.
JSS
September 30th, 2012
6:59 pm
Said the same thing after the Bears in 2008…
Said the same thing after the Jets in 2009…
Said the same thing after the 49ers, Packers, and Ravens in 2010…
and Mark Bradley declares it again after today…
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:01 pm
Golden, what was the score at Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Coke concessions Saturday?
GT Trumpet
September 30th, 2012
7:05 pm
I’m with Todd on this one. I don’t think anyone can see what happened on The Flats yesterday and be ok with that team. Mark Richt has put together a decent team this year as far as I can tell, and good on him. CPJ…not so much…
ConyersDawg
September 30th, 2012
7:05 pm
Hey Goldenrod – the Falcons and Dawgs are a combined 9 and ZERO whereas the maggots of North Avenue are 2 and 3. That’s right, 3 losses with loss #4 coming up this Saturday in Death Valley.
I know you maggots are always hating on Big Brother UGA for Running This State but now you’re trying to hate on the Falcons too after a HUGE comeback victory? Stay off of these blogs and get back to playing World of Warcraft in your mom’s basement!
DAWGS RUN THIS STATE & Falcons RISE UP!
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:06 pm
As the famous soothsage, seer, writer, blogger and raconteur Mark Bradley said yesterday “What’s left to be said?”
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:10 pm
Golden, got news you will believe: The earth is flat, Dewey defeated Truman, Kennedy was faithful, Carter was not, and Johnson told the truth about Vietnam, and Nixon lied about Watergate.
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:12 pm
That picture is The New Picture of the Falcons Franchise.
Day One Fan
September 30th, 2012
7:13 pm
JSS, are you a maroon…had to check down… Are you so profoundly insane that you cannot give props to Matt Ryan? After the adversity he faced, to have the kind of stats he had, to not give props is the definiyion of either troll or insanity.
Day One Fan
September 30th, 2012
7:15 pm
Dang fat finguring…Definition.
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
What would the late, great Munson have said: “We have no chance!!! We have no timeouts!!! We have 100,000 miles to go to even attempt a moonshot field goal!!! Matt Ryan has been beat up all day!!! Can he even lift the ball???!!! Our receivers are dog-tired and their defensive backs haven’t broken a sweat!!!! NO WAY!!! JUST NO WAY!!!”
Day One Fan
September 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
Once again…fingering…lol
RamblinWreck82
September 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
On behalf of GT alums, just shut your piehole Goldenrod! That game yesterday was a flat out embarrassment and the first time I have seen our players quit since the 51-7 game.
At least we can take pride in one Atlanta football team, our Dirty Birds are lookin’ good.
p.s. – Do you realize what Aaron Murray and Bobo are going to do to Al Groh’s defense?
Chiba, Exchange Student
September 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
I am Chiba and I love America! Today, I see Chipper Jone play for my first time and then I see Matt Ryan and the Falcon win the game. I think they both are very good and I enjoy reading Mark Bradley column. I would like to say I think Chipper Jone is the best baseball player in Atlanta and not very smart but can hit curve ball. Matt Ryan appear to have good arm 65 yards.
Falcons and Texans maintain perfect starts – Chicago Tribune | Headline News Network
September 30th, 2012
7:18 pm
[...] Goal Leads Falcons Past Panther 30-28ABC NewsFalcons rally past Panthers, move to 4-0CBSSports.comA great escape shows us how special these Falcons can beAtlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:18 pm
“The officials are making Matt Ryan stand underneath the goal post so he can’t see down field!!! They are only letting us have 9 men on the field!!! And making Smitty tell the Carolina defense the play he is calling!!!”
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:20 pm
Ramblinwreck, your comments are appreciated, but I wouldnt go overboard about Bobo.
whoa now
September 30th, 2012
7:20 pm
Ryan took a beating and won,the offensive line got beat most of the day and won, the defense got beat all day and won..the question remains why in hell can we NOT play the whole game like we did the last 50 or so seconds??????
We got that puny 10 point lead and tried not to lose..not play agressive and win!!
Ron Riveria..this game lies sorely at your feet!! Any dam team that is 1-2 and has less than 1 yard to go for the 1st down to “ice” the game & has a QB the size of a mack truck..needs to have his “kahoonas” iced for the rest of the year!!!!! Go Falcons!!
JSS
September 30th, 2012
7:22 pm
Ha ha, you want props, he got those from you in the aforementioned times… Have a ball and stop typing mad, it is not in your skill set!
Eric
September 30th, 2012
7:22 pm
I believe the debate over Matt Ryan’s arm strength has officially ended.
Todd Grantham
September 30th, 2012
7:23 pm
Mike Bobo’s theory of play calling- Find out what works then immediately move on to something else.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:28 pm
Whos whistling now JSS?! Lol! Who gets the last whistle! The birds do! Said Turner would have a big day, said this would be like UGA/UT…all true. Come listen to my tune while I whistle the Rise Up theme! Bwhahahahwhahwhahwh!
Stinger 2
September 30th, 2012
7:29 pm
Goldenrod: Your post is almost embarassing as the loss yesterday to us other GT fans. Please think before you say anything like that again.
JSS
September 30th, 2012
7:30 pm
“JSS, are you a maroon…”
The Pottsville Maroon(s) got something you guys don’t an NFL championship… oops oh wait, they are like you guys claiming greatness too!
Mark Bradley
September 30th, 2012
7:30 pm
Thanks for everything, folks. Headed home.
Kramer
September 30th, 2012
7:35 pm
Tha Packers are proving they can lose to a bad team. The Aints? Really? Falcons are the best in the NFC.
JSS
September 30th, 2012
7:35 pm
Game was nothing like that clown show in Athens yesterday… That was the NFL, one team didn’t execute with every advantage and like most professional games when you don’t you lose…
And “whistling” (which you obviously don’t get) means you’re just observing, no more…
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
BTW what should Bradley say?
1. That Ryan got drilled behind the line today?
2. That Cam played well today?
3. That our defense did not play well?
4. That we had to many drops?
5. That every division game is a test for every team in every division
WAIT!
He said all that and more…as well as this was a game we should not have won…what you want? More? Less? For him to be employed by the AJC and bash the team ( he laid the facts for which they were today!) And the truth is that we were in for a dog fight from the jump…..much like I knew we would be! Did you forget that last year we had to come back against this team…(you remember secret little angry mean falcon fan)….get a grip! Respect what we did today on a day when we did not play well! Its what good teams do! And you should have enough respect to do that!
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:40 pm
You observed that win today! Bahahahahahahah! You so wanted them to lose! Admit it! And dont sit here and say you could care less because you watched the whole game! Reason you have such a hard time on here is because you never admit you are wrong and you tell so many untruths! Good teams do what the Birds did today….respect that! Be a fan of the game and respect that!
GTJeff
September 30th, 2012
7:41 pm
Thank God for the Falcons. Saved half of my weekend.
UGHEY you are & always will Honey Boo Boo Trailer Trash regardless of the record of your team.
Big Dog 89
September 30th, 2012
7:43 pm
The Falcons and the Dawgs are undefeated….meanwhile, GT starts the finger pointing.
Is a high school offense good enough for the NCAA?
RambleOn84
September 30th, 2012
7:43 pm
Psst…Goldenrod is a faker…is anyone really dumb enough to think that this is actually a Tech fan?
It’s a “clever” Georgie fan setting up a nice strawman to which he can then easily defeat under another name.
Some people are really, REALLY bored.
Big Dog 89
September 30th, 2012
7:43 pm
The Falcons Rule.
Who would have guess the Saints would be winless at this point?
RambleOn84
September 30th, 2012
7:44 pm
As for the point of THIS article, the Falcons look great. BIG win today.
And the Aints are 0-4.
Gotta love it!
JSS
September 30th, 2012
7:45 pm
“We?” You played? Does Roger Goodell know you’re blogging during the game?
FalconUGAFan
September 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
@answer this…Don’t sweat it..ain’t worth it. Let em speak their nonsensical hoohaw….The Falcons will be what they are regardless.
Dirty Dawg
September 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
Had to stop listening to the TV announcers today…it was obvious to me, at least before I stopped, that they – particularly Lynch – were favoring Carolina. On the keeper that Newton ran for some 30 or 40 yards on their first TD drive, our DB was held in the open field – so obvious that even the replacement officials would have called it (of course the ‘real’ ones didn’t), but the announcers called it a great block – twice. And on a personal foul call for helmet to helmet against them Lynch called it a good football play (what the hell he thinks happens when one helmet comes into contact with another, I don’t know).
Fortunately they had to ‘eat it’ at the end of the game.
Ricnic31
September 30th, 2012
7:47 pm
You walk into the BEST team in the leagues house. You better bring your “A” game. I give Cam and the Noots a “B-”.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
Respect the game! The Falcons had to play tough today to get this win! So if you are such the fan of the game of football you claim to be respect what they did! Or continue to show what you are truly about…simple!
RambleOn84
September 30th, 2012
7:49 pm
Noticed that too, Dirty Dawg.
That holding non-call was blatant.
Oh well, it all worked out for the Good Guys in the end.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:50 pm
Thats your best response!? Like I thought you fake angus sack of dog poo! You are the punk we all know you are. You are done….chump loser.
sidslid
September 30th, 2012
7:51 pm
Roddy as behind me at Starbucka yesterday. I’m buying if I see him again
Steve
September 30th, 2012
7:51 pm
Wow that was a good one GTJeff! Moron.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:52 pm
Dirty Dawg I thought it was just me who recognized that!
Day One Fan
September 30th, 2012
7:56 pm
One last post…JSS you are intillectually inferior. KMA
td
September 30th, 2012
7:56 pm
Falcons magic number to clinch the division is 10.
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
Matt Ryan — NFL MVP
Great game to be at today.
When Carolina punted at the end, game over.
No Team looks great every week. A win is all that matters.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
7:59 pm
Much like one of the greatest coaches (Jimmy Johnson) said on the OT….he likes what Ryan and the Falcons did today…to come back and show that they can win! Enough said………eat it haters!
GregKennesaw
September 30th, 2012
8:03 pm
Great Game Falcons 4-0 baby! The Falcons have now won twice as many games as the other 3 teams in the NFC South combined! The Caints lost, we beat the superman and Tampa lost to a late field goal!
Where are the trolls?
JSS
September 30th, 2012
8:03 pm
Yep they will be “what they are regardless” and that is the beauty of the NFL compared to the silliness provided each Saturday… You’re a 1/4 of the way through a season, not a masquerade… You got a gift, it has happened before and I’ll just “whistle.” It was not seismic. The NFL unlike the majority of American professional sports will generally even out… Here’s the difference, you have to crow… Enjoy, it will come around eventually in how the ball rolls somewhere… “Whistling!” Don’t sweat it, Name-changer!
TRUEFAN
September 30th, 2012
8:04 pm
Cam can’t steal a win,just laptops.
GregKennesaw
September 30th, 2012
8:05 pm
TRUEFAN, NOW THAT’S FUNNY!
GregKennesaw
September 30th, 2012
8:07 pm
game ball should go to Roddy White, OL needs to play better of Ryans going to get killed. I liked the way Turner ran today
Moorman
September 30th, 2012
8:07 pm
Matt came thru. He doesnt have the best arm…..but he came thru……
woeismesince66
September 30th, 2012
8:09 pm
Glad for the win but the Falcons were lucky. O-line sure needs something. And the defense ain’t far
behind.
Sunday Night Unwind, 09.30.12… « Just Charlie
September 30th, 2012
8:11 pm
[...] of course, the Atlanta Falcons miraculously went to 4-0 on this young NFL season. If you care about such things, that is. But enough sports..that’s [...]
Peter
September 30th, 2012
8:16 pm
Well Matt Ryan did something that Marvin of the Hawks never did…… Lift….. get tough, and lead……..
I am impressed and hopefully the ride will continue…….Last year I would have told you they would be both the same…… one appears to have worked.
Ivan
September 30th, 2012
8:24 pm
Falcons won. Time to watch the eagles get creamed. Maybe mv7 will only have 3 turnovers.
mark
September 30th, 2012
8:31 pm
Great game, guys never gave up. Ryan was real tough out there today, was getting killed but took it and came back for more. I know the criticism of him and until he wins in the playoffs nothing will silence them, but you have to give me one thing this kid is tough. The o-line was playing like it had lead in it’s ass and he took 7 sacks and several knock downs, but at the end he stood tall and gave his team a chance to win. Damn glad he is our qb.
phil
September 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
Fire mike nolan!!
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
September 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
Wow !, Two Atlanta teams in Washington D.C this week. Go Chip-pa !
phil
September 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
Over under on Vick turnovers tonight?
GB's Hamburgers
September 30th, 2012
8:39 pm
Ryan paid the price to get better. He has made himself into a primo quarterback. Quite a chracter lesson. A great win on a day when the offensive line almost got him killed.
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
8:40 pm
Has anyone seen Seen This B4 today?
phil
September 30th, 2012
8:41 pm
One?
Try two, moron….
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
8:42 pm
Wow even in saying you wrong you still wont say you were wrong. Our little banter is over…not any more fun….I can’t respect you or even go at you any more because you are a fraud….I won’t say who I am writing this to but as the senior citizens say ” a hit dog will holla”
Honestly just a troll...
September 30th, 2012
8:43 pm
I was so sad when the Falcons won. The Panthers are a terrible team that should have put Atlanta away when the time was right. News flash: The Atlanta Falcons are not the best team in the NFL, and are 4-0 against 4 subpar teams.
78dawg
September 30th, 2012
8:43 pm
Great thriller. Great comeback. But I have to say I’m bothered by the O-line play.
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
September 30th, 2012
8:44 pm
Maybe the Falcons will tell on someone here owes back taxes !
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
September 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
8:40 pm
Has anyone seen Seen This B4 today?
No one can reconize him with that Brown Paper Bag on his head !
Dazzy G
September 30th, 2012
8:51 pm
@JSS
OK I get it … Your whistling is a euphemism….
JSS
September 30th, 2012
8:54 pm
“Our little banter is over…not any more fun…”
You know that is a lie, you say that everything but your psychosis overwhelms that piece of wonderful possibility from ever being more than a mere fantasy… You and your ilk will be post hooey till it crashes down around you like it did all of the others (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011)… and on and on….
Big Cat
September 30th, 2012
8:56 pm
@Goldenrod
What have you been smoking? Or maybe, you’re just that stupid!
JSS
September 30th, 2012
8:57 pm
“everything” = “every time”
Whopper Dawg
September 30th, 2012
8:57 pm
To paraphrase the Great Munson -
I thought we were beat, you did too…………
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
8:58 pm
Someone put the dog up its raining outside. I dont play with other peoples pets.
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
September 30th, 2012
8:59 pm
Whopper Dawg
September 30th, 2012
8:57 pm
To paraphrase the Great Munson -
I thought we were beat, you did too…………
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
9:02 pm
You are dead to me I have no son
Heheheheheheheheheh!
JSS
September 30th, 2012
9:04 pm
“Your whistling is a euphemism…”
Dazzy G…
You have to be careful with that characterization, too many around here would suggest something vulgar or offensive instead of a mere just indirect indifference…
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
9:07 pm
The Division Leading Atlanta Falcons stunned everyone in the Dome today……….I didn’t think they had a chance in Hades when they kicked the ball back to the Panthers………it is these kinds of games that you pull out a win that are what make the Champions so great……………………………….all the trolls just have to stick it……these Falcons are going to be hard to beat !
Kudos to the Panthers, ……………I underestimated them..they will win many games this year…………………
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
9:08 pm
@phil: Hey moron, look at the standings and tell me which NFC team other than the Caints are winless. There has only been one winless team in the NFC since week two.
Honey boy
September 30th, 2012
9:10 pm
I keep saying to you worthless unbelievers… It ain’t how it’s how many…
Chris Dimino.. Spare me the BS… Don’t worry about the shortcomings of the D… We won!!!! Count it as a win!..
After week say 10 -12 no one is going to look back on week 4 and say the D was this or that… Just win baby!!!
R OReilly
September 30th, 2012
9:11 pm
I have always like #2. He is special. But I did not think the #2 and the FALCONS could pull a win out of this situation. They seem to be a special team. I still think they are only playing 75 – 80% of their ability. When they finally get it together, they will be real fun to watch. Go Falcons.
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:12 pm
I am indeed a moron….
I was thinking only one undefeated team.
I should be booed.
Matty Bicep
September 30th, 2012
9:15 pm
JSS, you are correct about Bradley being wrong before, and maybe he is wrong again, but his average is about 25%, so they are due…
But regardless, your criticism was always about how you only get a few opportunities, so you have to take advantage of them….but it take a special guy to keep knocking on the door, one he keeps comes back stronger the next time, for that is one does not just eventually opens the door, but who blows it off its hinges….
Kane337
September 30th, 2012
9:19 pm
An ugly game overall where we got manhandled in the trenches on both sides (7 sacks allowed and defense could not generate a pass rush). But a win is a win. I’ll take it. Outcome is much better than the other way around. Got to clean things up for next week.
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
I will not take it….
Our o-line play was horrible.
I cannot be happy with this pathetic win.
Heads should roll….
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
9:22 pm
The Caints blow the last minute FG attempt and my moniker survives another week.
The Eagles made it through the first quarter without a turnover! What the heck!
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
9:23 pm
hey JSS…………………you sure you don’t want a glass of this Falcon’s Kool aid…………………taste much better at 4 – 0………………………….hehehehe
DawgNole
September 30th, 2012
9:24 pm
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:12 pm
I am indeed a moron….
I was thinking only one undefeated team.
I should be booed.
_____________________
B-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! You’re fired!
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Ban one winless team!!
DawgGal
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Anyone who saw Matt Ryan play against Va Tech when he was a senior at BC would not have been surprised at this outcome. He was/is the coolest quarterback I’ve seen since Joe Montana. I’m so thankful he’s a Falcon.
BravesFan79
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
I was going for the Saints to win because lets face it, there not getting in the playoffs this year, and every game lost by the Packers, Giants and 49ers means the Falcons are 1 step closer to the #1 seed in the NFC! Go Falcons, GT, and UGA.
ueeediot
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Why does Michael Irvin insist on saying Rowdy White?
JSS
September 30th, 2012
9:27 pm
Bicep…
That is what the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and old Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans mindset has been. So, here’s the danger, you’re reaching instead of actually seeing when shortcomings occur. Enjoy the win, but when the aspects that allowed that need for a miracle come home to roost, don’t beg ignorance… It would have occurred before your eyes…
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
9:29 pm
@PHIL- I AGREE THIS WIN WAS PATHETIC AND WE NEARLY ESCAPED BY SHEER LUCK!!!!! OUR O-LINE IS GARBAGE AND CHARLES JOHNSON GOT 5 SACKS IN ONE FREAKIN GAME!!!!!
THAT IS VERY EMBARASSING!!!!!!
WE DIDN’T GET JULIO OR HARRY DOUGLAS INVOLVED AND OUR PASS DEFENSE WAS GARBAGE!!!!! MIKE SMITH HAS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HIM RIGHT NOW AND WE NEEED TO IMPROVE EACH WEEK INSTEAD OF BARELY BEATING THESE WEAK TEAMS!!!!
DON’T WORRY WE WILL ALL SEE IF WE ARE THE TEAM WE REALLY ARE, COME NEXT MONTH WHEN WE FACE THE EAGLES, COWBOYS, AND SAINTS ALL IN A ROW!!!!!
tigerbulldogfan
September 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
Enter your comments here
tigerbulldogfan
September 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
Who did Mike Smith shove and why?
DawgNole
September 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
ueeediot
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Why does Michael Irvin insist on saying Rowdy White?
________________
Because like so many other criminals given a platform based strictly on former athletic ability, he’s incapable of speaking clearly.
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
@PHIL- I AGREE THIS WIN WAS PATHETIC AND WE NEARLY ESCAPED BY SHEER LUCK!!!!! OUR O-LINE IS GARBAGE AND CHARLES JOHNSON GOT 5 SACKS IN ONE FREAKIN GAME!!!!!
THAT IS VERY EMBARASSING!!!!!!
WE DIDN’T GET JULIO OR HARRY DOUGLAS INVOLVED AND OUR PASS DEFENSE WAS GARBAGE!!!!! MIKE SMITH HAS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HIM RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED TO IMPROVE EACH WEEK INSTEAD OF BARELY BEATING THESE WEAK TEAMS!!!!
DON’T WORRY WE WILL ALL SEE IF WE ARE THE TEAM WE REALLY ARE, COME NEXT MONTH WHEN WE FACE THE EAGLES, COWBOYS, AND SAINTS ALL IN A ROW!!!!!
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
ueeediot
September 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
Why does Michael Irvin insist on saying Rowdy White?
——-
Coke.
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
Next month starts ina bout 2 hours….
We will lose every game in october.
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
Aside from the fact that michael irvin is an imbecile?
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
we talked and we raved about the guys protecting Matt all summer and preseason…….they are not going to stop everybody they play against this year……………….hey those Panthers showed up today…………..yeah , he took some hits today but he still showed everyone who the man is !
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
9:37 pm
Good to see that even when you play a bad game you win, regardless of how bad you look. Regardless if you could not stop the run….today. Regardless if you had 6 sacks and.looked like last years line.
The thing about being 4-0 is that the Birds have not reached a peek and that they have things to work on…..I guess that is why this leauge has 16 games!? Gives you something to work on and get better at doing!
I guess that is why we have coaches? Go figure! Hahajajajaha. Heres the deal when we talking about this team in week 12 as they get better….did I say get better….in week 12….then I think we might garner a little respect from the troll nation….
We already getting it now from commentators in the NFL…hey those guys get paid and most if not all have some type of experience (did they play or something? with some type of jewelry …..a super bowl ring or something like that maybe more than one?)…they not just sharp dressed men
Tell you what I will listen to those guys and let these trolls keep being city boy bloggers!
JSS
September 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
Say Gonzalez….
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
When we went to 4-0 back in 1986, it was a similar sort of game in that it took late heroics from David Archer to win that one….
Of course that bunch finished 7-8-1 and lost to the 0-14 Dolts…..
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
@OPEN YOUR EYES
Your caps are locked and BTW those teams have to see the Birds also….we wont just lay down!
Seen This B 0-4
September 30th, 2012
9:42 pm
Shad up suckers!
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
The Falcons are gonna stomp Washington next week.
Smitty won’t lose to Me-Angelo.
TROTTINGHOME
September 30th, 2012
9:44 pm
Where’s matty choke ryan and nooodle arm posters at…suckers
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:49 pm
Speaking of choke’s, way to go, ryder cup team….
Booooooooooo!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
9:52 pm
@ PHIL- THANKS MAN, FINALLY SOMEBODY THAT DOESN’T TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY IN THIS BLOG!!!!! IM SICK AND TIRED OF JUST BARELY BEATING THESE WEAK TEAMS!!! WE NEED TO BLOW THESE TEAMS OUT!!!
OH YEAH AND DOES ANYBODY SEE RAY EDWARDS, BECAUSE HE KEEPS PULLING THE DISAPPEARING ACT ON US EVERY STINKIN WEEK!!!!! OUR PASS RUSH IS AVERAGE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GENERATE CONSISTENT PRESSURE TO THE OPPOSING OB’S!!! WE ONLY SACK CAM TWICE!!!!!
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
9:53 pm
Another thing I noticed ….the Birds were averaging 31 points a game before this game….wow even after a bad game guess how many we averaging? You are correct!
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
9:54 pm
4 – 0 staying undefeated and only two undefeated teams left in the NFL and starting a drive on the 1 and no timeouts and a minute to play ? Are ya kidding me ?Some of you are not breathing or crazy one ! ……………………………………………………….
BiggDawgK
September 30th, 2012
9:54 pm
I only got to listen to the last 2 minutes after I left the historical record breaking game at Turner Field but that was a darn awesome 2 minutes. I am enjoying these perfect weekends from the Bulldogs, Falcons and Braves and I just hope they continue to spoil me and all the fans of the virtuous and right in the state of Georgia.
On a related topic, has anyone else seen the Thomas DeCoud meow interview on youtube? It’s pretty hilarious.
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
Matt Ryan is da man……………..the hour of power……too sweet to be sour………………….alias………………………. Matty ‘ Ice’ Ryan , ” The Assassin “…………………………..
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
@ANSWER THIS- I’VE BEEN ON THIS BLOG FOR MANY YEARS AND EVERYBODY KNOWS I WRITE LIKE THIS!!!!! IT’S MY SIGNATURE STYLE!!!!
ANYONE WHO DOESN’T LIKE IT JUST DON’T READ IT, IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S KILLING YOUR HEALTH!!!!
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
DON’T WORRY WE WILL ALL SEE IF WE ARE THE TEAM WE REALLY ARE, COME NEXT MONTH WHEN WE FACE THE EAGLES, COWBOYS, AND SAINTS ALL IN A ROW!!!!!
—-
Great!!
Our schedule gets easier.
phil
September 30th, 2012
9:56 pm
Pass rush?
Aside from Abe, it doesn’t exist….
And back to the stupid ryder cup for a moment…..it’s golf, you morons. Those sissy boys look absurd hoping around like jackasses over hitting the ball in a hole.
I love playing golf, or pretending to, but to act like that over golf is just silly.
air of mendacity
September 30th, 2012
9:59 pm
Falcons won a game they should not have won – the key is a win – no matter how ugly. We will beat Redskins easily and Raiders the week after – to go 6-0. At that point, the playoff spot is locked up and it will only be a question of if we win the division – that too looks like a done deal if we start 6-0.
run D concerns me a lot – it needs to get better if we expect to go deep into playoffs.
Nate
September 30th, 2012
10:01 pm
Are you kidding me? Nevermind the fact he missed the fullback leaking into the left side of the endzone on the same play as pass interference on the tight end in the first quarter because he became fixated on the right and never looked for a checkdown play.
Nevermind the fact he took a sack before they had to settle for a the field goal on the prior drive to the game winner early in the fourth quarter.
Nevermind the fact he took a sack while running out of bounds on 3rd and 3 taking away the option of going for it on fourth down because he failed to throw the ball away.
Bottomline, Cam Newton holds onto the ball, the Falcons lose and Ryan is the goat for taking that sack because the Falcons obviously would not have gotten the ball back.
Ryan got bailed out. He’s not great. He’s lucky. And his luck will run out in the playoffs yet again.
He’s just not that smart.
dean
September 30th, 2012
10:01 pm
Roger Staubach. Joe Montana. John Elway. They all made livings, and crushed hearts, doing what Ryan did at the end today. Eventually, Ryan will be in that group.
rooster
September 30th, 2012
10:03 pm
Goldenrod, my good man, losing on your own field by three touchdowns to the University of a Third of a State is not a bump in the road. We’ve all heard of team victories. Well, what Tech experienced yesterday was a program defeat.
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
10:05 pm
Nate — basically what you’re saying is Cam lost the game today.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:06 pm
JSS
September 30th, 2012
6:59 pm
Said the same thing after the Bears in 2008…
Said the same thing after the Jets in 2009…
Said the same thing after the 49ers, Packers, and Ravens in 2010…
and Mark Bradley declares it again after today…
****************************************************
…………………………….ok Bradley, declare it tomorrow.
atlfalconsfan0125
September 30th, 2012
10:07 pm
So if Matt Ryan is a choke artist, then what is can newton? People are tooting his horn more than Matt ryan. He still hasn’t had a winning season and he choked at the end of the game today. Superman my butt.
air of mendacity
September 30th, 2012
10:07 pm
NATE — yeah – I was cussing Ryan for taking that sack at the end, but the game moves much faster than we mere mortals realize. That guy closed on him quickly and he did not see him until it was too late. Normally Matt throws that away. Give him a break – he was trying to string the play out and make a big play.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
Nate
September 30th, 2012
10:01 pm
*********************************
Nate, I ain’t trying to split hairs with ya………………honestly, there were a couple of sacks that Ryan should have thrown the ball away…………..another when he had an outlet pass available out to the right. But that last one was just inexcusable.
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:10 pm
When you play division rival teams twice a year they always are tougher games than playing teams you face once or maybe never see but one time every two years……it is the nature of the beast to have same division teams play each other very tough and out there today was a hard fought football game up to the very end with both teams nearing total exhaustion at the final seconds…………..look for other close tough games coming against Tampa Bay and New Orleans…………………………………….
atlfalconsfan0125
September 30th, 2012
10:11 pm
@ Nate
You are right. But after all those things. The falcons were on their own 1 yd line with no time outs. Ryan made a clutch throw and white made a clutch catch.
Noodle arm? I think not.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:11 pm
air of mendacity
September 30th, 2012
10:07 pm
NATE — yeah – I was cussing Ryan for taking that sack at the end, but the game moves much faster than we mere mortals realize. That guy closed on him quickly and he did not see him until it was too late. Normally Matt throws that away. Give him a break – he was trying to string the play out and make a big play.
*********************************
I have to disagree. All he had to do was throw the ball out of bounds past the line of scrimmage. He’s a pro, simple……..all he has to do is execute.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:13 pm
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:10 pm
When you play division rival teams twice a year they always are tougher games than playing teams you face once or maybe never see but one time every two years……it is the nature of the beast to have same division teams play each other very tough and out there today was a hard fought football game up to the very end with both teams nearing total exhaustion at the final seconds…………..look for other close tough games coming against Tampa Bay and New Orleans…………………………………….
**********************************
The Birds were a little flat today. Tough to blame the defense, Panthers have a lot of weapons. But when we had to have it we got it and that is what championships are built on.
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:15 pm
Oh my ……………..those was some beautiful long throws through the air to Mr. White………………………………..Ryan has the touch…………………
Mora less Petrino
September 30th, 2012
10:15 pm
Big Crimson 75 –
I agree with you. Eagles are lucky they are not 0-3 and I wouldn’t bet them right now with a 7-3 lead at the half. Falcons have more talent than the Saints and the Saints D is like a broken levee. The Cowboys beat the Giants then were whipped by the Seahawks, and are -7 on net points. I doubt the Falcons will go into any of those games thinking they are outmatched. I doubt the oddsmakers will view the Birds as underdogs either. If they do, it won’t be by much.
Bring ‘em on!
I dropped my fried twinkie
September 30th, 2012
10:15 pm
let M.V.7 lose tonight and it will be even better.
Matty Bicep
September 30th, 2012
10:16 pm
No such thing as a weak team on the NFL, sorry Open Your Eyes….Did you see Rogers get sacked 8 times last week? It happens, but it is how they respond that shows who they are.
scam newton
September 30th, 2012
10:16 pm
karma for scam newton. too cocky, too arrogant and too much show-boating. a-town stomp in the endzone, arrogant finger pointing every first down. i understand all nfl players like to celebrate and point down the field after a first down but it seems like cam does it to promote himself instead of his team. you have to respect the game and the team concept and he does not do that. i loved the fact that this loss fell square on his shoulders. but also dont want to give him too much credit bc the falcons may have got a little lucky but at the same time they TOOK that game when given the chance. go birds!
Fukowi
September 30th, 2012
10:16 pm
We have an incredible, gutsy, highly intelligent QB. Be glad for that – it can take years to find one. We need to protect him better and continue to build around him. Its all about entertainment – and today was quite entertaining.
Falcon James
September 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
The Falcon put a W in the column. They gained some valuable experience that will useful the next time we play the kitty cats. No one can take this game away. Our team played their hearts out. The adapted and they overcame and that is all that matters.
It also doesn’t hurt anyone feelings that the Saint are still OhFur!!
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Funny post Jeremiah Wright FUNNY!
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
@MICHEAL M.- CAN YOU PLEASE CALM DOWN!!!! I KNOW YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE TEAM BUT WE ALL KNOW WE WERE GONNA BE GOOD AGAIN THIS SEASON!!!
WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THE PLAYOFFS!!!! YOU KNOW WHY?? BECAUSE EVERY TEAM STARTS OVER AT 0-0 AND RECORD DOESN’T MEAN A THING!!!! YOU NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON OUR WEAKNESSES SO THAT WE IMPROVE EACH WEEK AND BE ABLE TO BEAT THE GREAT TEAMS LIKE PACKERS AND GIANTS!!! STOP CELEBRATING WE HAVEN’T ACHIEVED ANYTHING THIS SEASON!!!!
ijonathan
September 30th, 2012
10:20 pm
Actually, I believe JSS is probably “whistling past the graveyard” which is a perfect description of his time spent here on ye olde blog.
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
10:20 pm
My bad Open your eyes……but man relax we won……do we have to win pretty? Still got to go home with the hot chick! Who cares that she is wearing jeans instead of a mini skirt? She still goes home with us!
Matty Bicep
September 30th, 2012
10:20 pm
“WE WERE GONNA BE GOOD AGAIN THIS SEASON!!!”
Ahh, so did the Panthers….Playoffs? PLAYOFFS? My god son, it is only September and your talking PLAYOFFS?
Getaway
September 30th, 2012
10:22 pm
While I would of liked for the Falcons to have blown out the Panthers as well, let’s consider for a moment that Carolina had 10 days to prepare for this game and Atlanta had to travel back from the west coast. You can’t dismiss any NFL team, especially one with the weapons that Carolina has.
I just hope this was a wake up game for the Falcons. There was a lot of hype over the 3-0 start. They have been all over the news, sports blogs, the world-wide leader and the NFL Network. All of these have been distractions. Maybe now they will get back to flying under the radar.
Matty Bicep
September 30th, 2012
10:23 pm
Fact is, since the expecations are not to just get to the playoffs, but to win in the playoffs just shows how far this teams has come….We did not even sniff the playoff Vicks last 2 years.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
@answer this-I’ve been on this blog for many years and everybody knows I write like this. It’s my signature style.
*******************************************************
Not everybody knows and the last thing I would call it is STYLE.
Big Crimson 75
September 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
4 & 0 is what matters most.
This Team can/will improve.
We still haven’t played our best ball.
Once Julio gets his head out of his a$$, watch out.
Ray Edwards — no hope for him. Unless Lystarya gets him motivated!!
ijonathan
September 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
LOL…read that last “JSS” post (I think an imposter) to yourself using a foghorn-leghorn over the top southern drawl…
bigbobbles
September 30th, 2012
10:26 pm
I want to congratulate the Braves and Falcons!! I wish I was as perfect as Choke and JSS! Love you Sonny……where are you?
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
Getaway
September 30th, 2012
10:22 pm
While I would of liked for the Falcons to have blown out the Panthers as well, let’s consider for a moment that Carolina had 10 days to prepare for this game and Atlanta had to travel back from the west coast. You can’t dismiss any NFL team, especially one with the weapons that Carolina has.
I just hope this was a wake up game for the Falcons. There was a lot of hype over the 3-0 start. They have been all over the news, sports blogs, the world-wide leader and the NFL Network. All of these have been distractions. Maybe now they will get back to flying under the radar.
******************************************
That’s the thing. The Falcons got a game that should keep them grounded and still got a win.
Eric
September 30th, 2012
10:31 pm
I admit I was pretty down on this team after Carolina went up 28-24 late in the 4th. We are too good a team to be in such a fight with a team that just got destroyed by the Giants. Still, now that I think about it, this was a classic let-down game. We had a short week after having routed the Chargers on Monday Night Football and were facing a division rival that was extremely motivated and had 10 days to prepare for us.
And yet we won.
I now think that it really doesn’t matter that we had to rely on some Matt Ryan heroics and a forced fumble to get the win. We got the win and that’s what counts. Believe me, even the 16-0 Patriots of 2007 had some squeakers that shouldn’t have been so close (really they should never have lost to the Giants in the SB). This team is special because on a day where we thought we could just show up and win, we did.
When was the last time a Falcons team could say that?
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:31 pm
Most of the weakness in the Atlanta Falcons are the few unfaithful cry-babies that get on here each and every week ………………whimpering about things out of their control that they can’t change…………….Get OVER it……………………………..We lead the division and have a nice cushion now …………………………………………..
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:32 pm
wanna glass of kool-aid JSS ?
air of mendacity
September 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
can we stick to football without all the crap about “trolling” ?? etc. – if not, just get off the blog. I want to bs about football not all this other stuff – is this common on these sites? Just curious.
Panic fan
September 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
Great team win today we looked like we got away from what we have been doing in previous games,it did not even seem as if the same coaches called this game .Hope the staff wont use that game plan for both sides of the ball again it was bad Seems the panthers played there A game and we were at our worst they played like the throw back uniforms teams of old But we overcame all the bad plays with 3-4 champion style plays to win the game I have been a fan since 1971 and what we saw today was special 4-0 YALL BETTER GIVE US CREDIT WE ARE NOT THE FALCONS OF OLD
atlfalconsfan0125
September 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
I don’t get the hate for JSS. Although he’s a bit pessimistic sometimes, he mostly keeps it real. Hes right, None of this matters if the falcons don’t get it done in the post season. I guess he is picking the wrong place to “keep it real”. This is a fan blog and fans will be fans, you will see over reactions. If it bugs you, leave.
Getaway
September 30th, 2012
10:40 pm
Esquire
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled with the win. The best part was that they kept their confidence and never took themselves out of the game.
atlfalconsfan0125
September 30th, 2012
10:40 pm
Yall realize that the only way to fix the troll problem is to ignore. Give them no attention and pretty soon they are gonna get bored of talking to themselves.
I’m talking about MCR more then anyone else.
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
Wow ……………..open your eyes, you need to chill the nasty…………….this is public you know ………………………………………
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
POOR MICHEAL M. YOU ARE SO YOUNG AND NAIVE!!!! I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE PLAYOFFS AND WATCH THE FALCONS LOSE YET ANOTHER PLAYOFF GAME AND SEE YOU IN THE CORNER CRYING A FREAKIN RIVER!!!!!!!!!!
William Shakesphere
September 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
I do believe that Mr. JSS doest protest too much.
JSS
September 30th, 2012
10:43 pm
Sheep need to be herded… When you have people who need affirmation from the herd, you get these folks… When they realize they can’t run you off, they play the perversion cards…
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
10:43 pm
@ air of mendacity
Hate to share this with you air but so many haters get on here to bash the home team so real fans dont like it and kick feet in their angus….get used to it if you hang around….
I HAVE NO SON!
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:44 pm
well, ty, for the compliment on being young…………ha ! ………oh ,how I wish I could be again……………….we will worry playoffs when and if the time comes upon us……………………………………………
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:45 pm
JSS and the sheeples…………….lmao…………………………………
Answer this
September 30th, 2012
10:45 pm
@atlfalconsfan0125
Hate to break it to you but that does not work….trolls like to roam…..and they always roam here
Panic fan
September 30th, 2012
10:46 pm
We were at our worst today got away from what has been working,looked like the old falcons playing in the throw backs today Carolina played there A game we overcame our poor play with 3-4 championship style plays to win THIS IS NOT THE FALCONS OF OLD 4-0 IS A GOOD START TO A SPECIAL SEASON
close your eyes
September 30th, 2012
10:46 pm
shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without
come on, I’m talking to you, come on
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
10:48 pm
MICHEAL M. TRUST ME I CAN HANDLE MY OWN!!!! I REMEMBER THE OLD DAYS WHEN I WAS A YOUNG FALCONS FAN JUST LIKE YOU AND THE WORLD WAS SO NICE AND INNOCENT!!! EVERY YEAR I WAS CELEBRATING IN THE REGULAR SEASON ABOUT OUR REGULAR SEASON WINS, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME MICHEAL, OVER TIME THEY NEVER WON IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!! THEY KEPT LETTING ME DOWN YEAR AFTER YEAR AND MY HEART COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE, SO NOW THAT MANY YEARS OF EMBARRASSMENT IN THE PLAYOFFS HAVE GONE BY I SWORE TO MYSELF NEVER TO GET TOO HAPPY ABOUT THE REGULAR SEASON, BECAUSE WHAT IT ULTIMATELY COMES DOWN TO IS WINNING AGAINST GREAT TEAMS AND GETTING THAT SUPER BOWL!!!
Sigmund Freud
September 30th, 2012
10:49 pm
Undoubtedly, the fact that this individual……..JSS, response to potentially embarrassing personal allegations in such an awkward, basically unintelligible fashion, demonstrates his unstable persona, and ultimately his admission of guilt.
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
10:52 pm
@CLOSE YOUR EYES IS MY ALTER EGO LOL
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
10:53 pm
Feels good to be called a youngun but I remember when they played in Fulton County Stadium …………………………….Alfred Jenkins, Claude Humphrey , Bart, Cain , William Andrews ?…………………………….lol………………..
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:54 pm
JSS
September 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
is that you’re babbling…
**********************************************
Dude, you know babbling…………..it’s your specialty. Among other things.
Esquire
September 30th, 2012
10:55 pm
Sigmund Freud
September 30th, 2012
10:49 pm
Undoubtedly, the fact that this individual……..JSS, response to potentially embarrassing personal allegations in such an awkward, basically unintelligible fashion, demonstrates his unstable persona, and ultimately his admission of guilt.
*******************************
It’s obvious.
JSS
September 30th, 2012
10:57 pm
Ha ha, a FAKE being fooled by a FAKE… Esquire, even for you that is said in its implications…
JSS
September 30th, 2012
10:57 pm
“sad”
OPEN YOUR EYES
September 30th, 2012
10:59 pm
MICHEAL M.- OH MY MISTAKE HAHAHAHA YOU’RE A VETERAN LIKE ME MAN!!!! I LOVED THOSE DAYS IN THE FULTON COUNTY STADIUM ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY BRAVES WON THEIR EVENTUAL CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST THE INDIANS!!!
Michael M.
September 30th, 2012
11:03 pm
I am as old as a fine wine……………….lmao here
atler8
September 30th, 2012
11:04 pm
Ijonathan
Thanks for the Foghorn Leghorn reference. It fits perfectly, ahh say ahh say!
JONESBORO SLIM
September 30th, 2012
11:04 pm
Good teams alway find a way to win even when they’re play isn’t that good…this game will only make the Falcons better all the miss-cues today will be cleaned up…
Mark Bradley
September 30th, 2012
11:05 pm
Closing these comments.
T-Bone
October 1st, 2012
8:41 am
I want to hear a conversation between Chiba and Sonny Clusters!!
Tree
October 1st, 2012
8:43 am
Thank you Superman! We could not have seen Ryan and White’s heroic feats without you!
Ponder
October 1st, 2012
8:46 am
Most people that leave the game early leave because of the traffic jam they face after a game, leave with 5 min to go in the game and have no problem getting on 75, wait until the game is over and it takes an hour or longer. They need better parking in atlanta for the braves and falcons just sayin,
ghj
October 1st, 2012
8:47 am
Where are all the Saints fans, 0-4 they don’t come out , huh ?
Preston
October 1st, 2012
8:47 am
The Falcons are going to have to do the same thing Georgia has to do. Stay grounded and don’t expect to win just cuz you ain’t lost one yet. Both teams got their comeupence this weekend. I noticed Weatherspoon didn’t do his African Zulu dance yesterday. Not a lot to brag about, huh. The Falcons got their feather plucked yesterday but they have enough skilled players to overcome it. Roddy had an unreal day. One of the most important I’ve seen him have.
And Goldenrod….tech did ‘underestimate’ MTSU. Their scouting on that team stunk up the field. Those boys came to play and were good at. Tech just get their butts handed to um.
Failcant fans are a joke
October 1st, 2012
8:48 am
They want to be crowned champs for a 4-0 record…win a Lombardi or stfu until you do…what a joke….look at all this false hubris from people like Michael M….but,nthen again, you are rednecks from Ga and perennial losers….
Win a Lombardi and you get respect…until then…you’re still the loser FAILCANTS with NO SB RING AND NO PLAYOFF VICTORIES IN 3 YEARS…TRUTH HURTS, HUH? Must be miserable to be a delusional zealot…lmao…
Senior falcon
October 1st, 2012
8:48 am
Wish we could pick up a decent tackle and move “Turnstile” Clabo to guard or the bench.
mr zizzle
October 1st, 2012
8:49 am
hey Saints fans….Where are you now? Loving your misery!
Failcant fans are a joke
October 1st, 2012
8:50 am
FAILCANTS have NOT won a SB and acting like they have…bush league….who gets arrested this week? Fat boy Mikey Smith for cutting in front of someone in the buffet line?….
Dawgs1
October 1st, 2012
8:52 am
Matt Ryan great never
Dawgs1
October 1st, 2012
8:55 am
If that safety knocks the all down its over.btw you hav to win a couple playoff game to be great.falcons like tech sucks
Failcant fans are a joke
October 1st, 2012
8:55 am
Where’s your SB ring, fat boy Michael M? Right…you got nothing….too bad the Lombardi requires more than 4 wins….FAILCANTS will NEVER win a SB….at least the Aints, Caints and Saints have one…ya got nothing…disappointment around the corner…will be so funny, yet predictable, to watch the FAILCANTS fall apart as usual…lmao just thinking about it…
Dads gto
October 1st, 2012
8:58 am
A FUN game to watch. And Curtis Compton ….great photo on RW’s catch!
Failcant fans are a joke
October 1st, 2012
9:01 am
Listen..hear that? Right….crickets…when you bring up Lombardi trophies and playoff wins, the loser Failcant fans go quiet…..who dat got the Lombardi? Right…..lmao…FAILCANTS…forever ringless in da ATL ghetto…or trailer park…
keniboy
October 1st, 2012
9:01 am
todd grantham, were you ignored as a child?
jason
October 1st, 2012
9:13 am
I am a believer in No.3 Matt Bryant!!!
WAS THERE
October 1st, 2012
9:13 am
That was the most exciting (and gut-wrenching) win I have evr seen in a Falcons stadium–the noise level was unbelievable, and the fans hung tough and proud, right to the bitter end. My son and I were there, and both agreed it was the funnest game we’ve ever gone to. Also have to say, there were a bunch of Carolina fans all through our section, and the banter and play back and forth with those folks–all in good fun right to the end–made this win even more special. Everyone was gracious, and their fans, to a person, congratulated all the Faslcon’s fans when they left–what sports is all about. Man, what a GREAT afternoon at the Dome! Proud of you, boys!!!
ImGumbyD**MIT
October 1st, 2012
9:14 am
Ryan is becoming – a great quarterback.
No Mark…Ryan IS a great quarterback. What else does Ryan have to do to be considered “great.” Oh…oh…let me guess, win a playoff game. Come on, that’ll be the icing on the cake for our great quarterback.
Rey
October 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Great win, but what’s up with the right side of the Falcons offensive line? Clabo and the other guy, Mike? need to hit the weight room or something.
Nativebird
October 1st, 2012
9:19 am
He’s more than close to great. Top rated QB in the NFL through 4 games though you’d never know it according to the prevailing Sports press, best QB season in 2011 by ANY Falcon QB ever…that’s EVER, including Bart, including Chandler, George, any. Yet all you press yahoos and Ryan haters talk about is arm strength. Yesterday should ‘finally’ put that to rest. Most wins (or tied) for any Quarterback IN HISTORY through his first 4 years as a pro. on and on and on. again, Matt Ryan is a future HOFer that know one knows about…the question is not if he’s win a Superbowl, the question(s) ARE: How many? and with WHAT TEAM! though I hope firmly to the contrary , but If i was his agent….NO long term deal with Arthur hammer-salesman Blank till i test free agency.
D man
October 1st, 2012
9:21 am
Great to know that our Falcons can play a bad game and come away with a win. Great teams do that…
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:24 am
Falcons were lucky and GOOD! This game shows something different as compared to Falcons teams of seasons past.
GREAT teams too, win come from behind games with lucky opportunities…
All you/the nay sayers out there please keep betting that “NO PASS LINE” at the crap,,,, “I’m lovin’ it” all the way to the BANK!!!
Go Falcons — Redskins Next
D man
October 1st, 2012
9:30 am
CBS Sports is picking us to win the SuperBowl…
“Best-case scenario has them three games up in the division. Defense wasn’t spectacular, but Michael Turner looked fresh (the Panthers have a way of doing that) and what a job by Matt Ryan to engineer that last-second drive. Not unhappy with picking them to win the Super Bowl at the moment.”
SPECIAL??????????
October 1st, 2012
9:40 am
“A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be”
The Falcons have not defeated a good team this year. The Falcons will not beat teams like the Giants, Steelers or Ravens. The Falcons will lose in the playoffs…again.
SPECIAL??????????
October 1st, 2012
9:40 am
“what a job by Matt Ryan to engineer that last-second drive.”
He threw a bomb to Roddy White. Not exactly “engineering a drive.”
3 points regarding the Falcons, who won on a 3-pointer | Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:41 am
[...] touchdown in the first quarter; the 14-yard slant for a touchdown in the second quarter, and the 59-yard victimization of Nakamura on the first play of the Falcons’ drive to the winning field goal. Oh, yeah: White also had a [...]
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:42 am
9:19 — Little too presumptuous don’t cha think. MR2 really does need to win at least one SB, plus MVP. ComOn Man, you are most definitely over zealous in you announcement at this time. Back off a little, Not much though, hopefully all our hopes for these Falcons come true sooner than later…….. However I’m lovin your enthusiasm for sure!!!!
Go Falcons — Dim pesky Redskins next
P Rose
October 1st, 2012
9:44 am
Cam Newton, native Atlantan, after his team scores (game not over), laughs, taunts fans, does the “ATL Stomp.”
Matt Ryan, after his team scores (game over): “Get the FU@# off MY field!”
God, I love this game.
Jerry S
October 1st, 2012
9:46 am
Mark Bradley wrote: “…Carolina coach Ron Rivera flinched at fourth-and-1, and for his timidity he wound up losing.”
I’m a Falcons fan but that’s ridiculous criticism. “Timidity”? Because he didn’t want to risk turning the ball over on downs on their own side of the field? That’s just stupid. As it was, he pinned the Falcons back on their own one. It took not only a 59 yard strike from Ryan to White, but a pass interference call and a field goal that was not a chip shot. Good win for the Falcons but blame Newton for fumbling, not Ron White’s call on 4th and 1.
Jerry S
October 1st, 2012
9:47 am
I mean Ron Rivera…
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:47 am
It wasn’t on Carolina’s side of the field. Just FYI.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:48 am
WHY
eric
October 1st, 2012
9:49 am
What’s the point in continuing this “no playoff wins” meme anyway? We won’t be able to settle that for 3 more months so just give it a rest. What we can talk about is how this is shaping up to be the best Falcons season ever. A win in Washington next week will give us our first ever 5-0 start which is something even the ‘98 SB team didn’t do.
We will deal with playoff wins when we, you know, GET TO THE PLAYOFFS!
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:49 am
Hey Mark — whats up with “comment is waiting moderation” ?
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:59 am
What’s up is that the comments on this post reached such a disgraceful level last night that I shut commenting down. I re-opened it again this morning, but the personal insults need to cease.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:02 am
“ZERO” you kidding me — that’s NOT personal — “That’s a compliment” !!!
BK
October 1st, 2012
10:04 am
GREAT GAME.. WAY TO GO FALCONS NEVER SAY NEVER…THIS IS OUR YEAR WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!! GO FALCONS!!
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:06 am
Hey Mark: check your system last night you’ll notice i was NOT on the blog
Have a great day — Also GREAT article, by the way!
Go Falcons
warfalcon
October 1st, 2012
10:09 am
Baby Cam did cry and his mother did bring his bottle! NEXT UP the Washinton Redskins and the rookie RGIII,FALCON`S defence will be ready for him.Oh Washington has toast on defence D.Hall,HAVE A GOOD GAME RODDY,HARRY,JULIO AND TONY. LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:09 am
Hello again Mark. As a football watcher who is not afraid or reluctant to criticize I am almost mute this season. Both the Falcons and Bulldogs are undefeated. I simply do not have the heart to lambast the woeful Yellow Jackets. Middle Tennessee State? Sigh. First off, 20 or so Volunteer points can be blamed directly on the Dawg offense not the men of Todd. Now to the Falcons. I was set to recite drivel about no killer instinct after the Falcons squandered a home lead against an inferior foe. I was primed to crucify Matt Ryan for being sloth footed and not possessing enough sense to simply throw the ball away on far too many of his sacks. I was set to forward my high prescription eyeglasses to the Falcon QB after that boneheaded mystifying end zone interception. I awaited the start of the Packer-Saint clash when the refs put the Falcons on their own one despite the fact that the Panther downing the punt was clearly on the goal line. I knew the Saints would not win in Wisconsin so I was irate that the Falcons were not going to go four up on them. I should have heeded the advice of my pal Alfred Neuman and not worried. That pass to Roddy White seems surreal even now. Even time I watch the replay I cringe at how the pass seems to be slipping away from the Falcon receiver. Thankfully this was not destined to be a drop. Not this day. I trust the consistent Falcon placekicker not the one in Athens. Is there a field goal kicker at Georgia Tech? Oh well. Completion to superstar Tony Gonzalez who would scamper out of bounds. FG for 4-0 start. Could the Falcons have gone 99 yards? Dunno. Not about to rule such a scenario out however. Not about this bunch of survivors. Team of destiny? Could be. May be one in Athens too. Good for bird and canine fans thus far. Not so much for yellow bee followers. Have a great week.
Paul
October 1st, 2012
10:15 am
I’ve just a simple comment. Haven’t read all the posts. Matt Ryan became a man and a franchise quaterback yesterday! He was chunking darts all day long. He’s a skinny dude that seems to be genetically impossible to bulk up and put on any weight. I know he works and lifts weights. Still, a skinny dude. But he did fling it 65 yards and on target and that should be proof enough of his heart and mind — arm strength be “dad -goomed”. Don’t want to get edited here! Short is, we now have the quarterback that can not only take us to — but win a Super Bowl! He’s playing at an elite level now — and I’m sure his team mates know it. Once people start believing — great things can collectively happen. Thanks fans who got to the game and cheered these guys on. You are a part of — what I think — may be history in the making.
warfalcon
October 1st, 2012
10:19 am
SPECIAL?????????? NEW YORK A GOOD TEAM THEY GOT BEAT BY THE EAGLES,WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ON DEC.19,2012.RIGHT NOW WE ARE FACING THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS. ONE GAME AT A TIME REAL FALCON FANS.
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:22 am
No one has been more critical of the Falcons over the years than I as a sufferer since that initial campaign. I have seen all the highs (few) and lows (many) since 1964. Any criticisms after a victory such as this one are unwarranted. That coming from a fire and brimstone outspokenly critical Falcon fan. Sure this was one the Falcons should have lost. I am sure there is one down the line the Falcons should win but will not. Know it alls contend that things even themselves out in sports. As a Falcons/UGA/Tech/Flames/Knights/Chiefs/Hawks/Thrashers onlooker over the years I can attest that is a bald faced lie. I am going to savor this season. Naysayers be darned.
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:29 am
Whoops. Left out Braves. Sorry Chipper. Embarrassments to country are USA national men soccer team (Olympics? What Olympics) and any American golfers who compete in Ryder Cup (chokers of mammoth proportions). Hey, I have to complain about something.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:30 am
“MeAngelo” — will likely come-up lame this week jus you watch and see……… I just can’t wait to hear from Lil Joe Thiesman — he jus loves those Falcons don’t cha no
Go Falcons — Redskins next
GATiger
October 1st, 2012
10:35 am
As a N.O. native and former Saints season ticket holder )they were perennial losers all 3 years – so I’m the biggest Saints hater around), this is the perfect storm. If some of you have the time/inclination, you should read the sports blogs on nola.com. They’re blaming Goodell, Katrina, global warming, George Bush and anything else they can think of when they should be blaming their GM for paying a very good but aging Brees $100MM and ignoring glaring needs all over the defense, RB and OL. It’s truly humorous.
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:44 am
Wrong again Bradley!! Ryan is no where close to great. Nowhere close! He wins games he should win and can’t beat the elite teams. This is the same thing you preach about the little Dawg QB, Murray I think. Until they can beat the elite teams, they will not be elite. You should know this , but hope it helps you.
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:47 am
@srendek Have a good week.. Go Jackets……………….
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:47 am
@stendek Have a good week.. Go Jackets……………….
Esquire
October 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
9:22 pm
The Caints blow the last minute FG attempt and my moniker survives another week.
The Eagles made it through the first quarter without a turnover! What the heck!
********************************************************
I said early on the Caints should have kept Kasay and cut loose Hartley………….
Mikey
October 1st, 2012
11:01 am
It is SO nice to have a QB that other coaches fear! No matter how good a young QB is, it takes a while for them to build up such a strong reputation in the NFL. Matt Ryan is now getting to that point. As we saw, Ron Rivera has not yet developed that fear yet and it cost him the game. When you are playing a QB like that, you need to risk a 4th and one to keep it out of their hands. Ryan proved him wrong and did his job to instill FEAR in NFL coaches. Is he there yet? Time will tell but he is on the right path for sure! GO FALCONS! YOU ARE RISING UP!
ueeediot
October 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Would you losers shut up about 13th grade football games that you play on Saturday? No one gives two flips.
Cedric
October 1st, 2012
11:10 am
None of us know the future… Just cheer for the team!!!!!
Leading Off: Tim Tebow Time Draws Near — Leading Off | News Fringe
October 1st, 2012
11:12 am
[...] In other furious happenings, New England pulled itself off a pad in fantastic fashion, Mike Reiss writes on ESPN.com; a Vikings have assured during slightest Clark Judge of CBSSports.com that they are for real; and a Falcons staged a finish that should have people desiring in boundless intervention, writes Mark Bradley in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
ueeediot
October 1st, 2012
11:12 am
Matt Ryan – best QB the Falcons have ever had
Mike Smith – In 3 more wins will have the most ever for a Falcons HC. Ive got strategy issues with this guy, but he is the best the Falcons have ever seen
Roddy White – best Falcons WR…. EVER hands down.
Keep Hating
Redskins and Raiders…. 6-0 or 5-1 Still killin the NFC South (and leading the AFC West too!)
Ken
October 1st, 2012
11:14 am
Matt Ryan and the Falcons know how to RISE UP!!! Falcon fans get your popcorn ready there will be more RISE UP moments to come!!
Is Falcons QB Matt Ryan a legitimate MVP candidate?
October 1st, 2012
11:25 am
[...] NFL seasons, Ryan was more solid than spectacular, but as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mark Bradley writes, the 27-year-old is now cracking the elite class of NFL [...]
The Falcon Project
October 1st, 2012
11:35 am
http://thefalconproject.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/matt-bryants-leg-lifts-falcons-over-panthers-30-28/
Football Runners » A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be
October 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
[...] Journal-Constitution Click here for full article Share on Facebook [...]
Jay Dubu
October 1st, 2012
12:12 pm
I know Matt Ryan has been great this season with the offensiv weapons that are available on offense, but greatness is determined when you do it in the playoffs.
Let’s see how things unfold, before he’s added to the ballot for Canton.
P Rose
October 1st, 2012
12:13 pm
Stendek wins The World’s Biggest Falcons Fan Award, for being a fan since 1964, two years before they even existed. Congratulations, sir.
superg
October 1st, 2012
2:19 pm
We are back where we were last year:
No protection from the OL.
Poor defense.
Why would you quote an offensive lineman after such a poor game?
bighittas
October 1st, 2012
2:34 pm
DD totally agree.
I even wrote Fox and asked if that’s the best they could send. Stockton has always been anti-ATL. I can remember the days he was broadcaster for the Celtics-Hawks playoffs and was such a Celtic fan it was pathetic.
Those idiots yesterday were even talking about how great the hit made by the Carolins DB was just before they saw the flag for helmet to helmet contact.
Bums.
Jim Gordon
October 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
I know Matt Ryan. I am his friend. No one can inspire us the way he does. Not even Harvey Dent. Especially not Harvey Dent, he’s a politician! I believe in Matt Ryan.
Jim Gordon
October 1st, 2012
3:11 pm
Song for Atlanta getting up this year after the 24-2 butt kicking they got last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJBpBok7_pI
Tebow Time Draws Near | tebownews.com
October 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
[...] In other wild happenings, New England pulled itself off the mat in spectacular fashion, Mike Reiss writes on ESPN.com; the Vikings have convinced at least Clark Judge of CBSSports.com that they are for real; and the Falcons staged a finish that should have people believing in divine intervention, writes Mark Bradley in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
REAL DAWG'S N FALCONS FAN
October 1st, 2012
5:43 pm
GO FALCON’S ! CRANK UP THAT WILD DAWG DEFENSE WE SAW THE FIRTS 3 WEEKS AND SIC’EM ON THE SKINS ! TO MY BELOVED GEORGIA BULLDAWG’S LET’S GO TO CHICKEN TOWN SOUTH CAROLINA AND KICK THE GAMEHENS IN THE REAR END ,LEAVE NO DOUBT WHEN YOU LEAVE COLUMBIA AS TO WHO’S THE BOSS IN THE SEC EAST . TURN LOOSE THAT BAD ASS DEFENSE ON SPURRIER’S HENS . GO DAWGS , GO FALCON’S RISE UP WILD DAWG DEFENSE,GO DAWGS AKA JUNKYARD DAWG’S .
Pat McGroin
October 1st, 2012
5:55 pm
Go Ryan… Go Falcons… the ugly past is in the rear view mirror… sorry boys from Lithonia and Stone Mountain…
DawgNole
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Eric
September 30th, 2012
10:31 pm
We had a short week after having routed the Chargers on Monday Night Football and were facing a division rival that was extremely motivated and had 10 days to prepare for us.
____________________
Uh, would’ve been pretty difficult to rout the chargers on Monday Night Football given that we didn’t even play the Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Heat Check: Braves can’t win East; Falcons can’t seem to lose | Mark Bradley
October 2nd, 2012
9:51 am
[...] seem to have the figurative wind at their backs: Pat Yasinskas of ESPN reports that their surge to the climactic field goal against Carolina marked only the fourth time in the past 20 years that a team has fashioned a game-winning drive [...]
ivanbmalone
October 3rd, 2012
7:14 pm
I just checked, and Ga. Tech STILL leads Georgia, SIX NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS to five for the Athens Agricultural School.