In losing a nothing game, the Falcons risked losing far more
Presenting the scariest sight of a mostly sublime regular season. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
For the coach of a team that cannot improve its playoff positioning, there’s no right way to approach a game that doesn’t matter. If you rest your starters, you chance an edge being lost. If you play them, you leave yourself open to the vagaries of football. Mike Smith stated his intentions — the Falcons would play to win — and stuck to his word. Give him that, if nothing else.
With 11:42 remaining in the regular season, the Falcons’ only real pass rusher was helped from the field after getting tangled with teammate Peria Jerry. John Abraham exited with a bad ankle, and right about here folks stopped seeing Smith as the coach who can’t get it right on fourth-and-1 and started castigating him as the guy who’d sacrificed a key asset in a game of no value.
Already cornerback Dunta Robinson had been taken the locker room with an injury — he’d led with his head yet again — and Asante Samuel, the other corner, had done his weekly limp-off-and-return. Matt Ryan, on whom everything depends, had absorbed a series of frightful hits. And all this for what? To finish 14-2, as opposed to 13-3? To win a game whose result would be forgotten 10 seconds after the final whistle?
“It’s up to the coach,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said, speaking of the approach to such a negligible game. “He told us what his plans were. It was no secret. We just got beat.”
The Falcons played to win and lost anyway. No big deal. What could be a huge deal is if the availability of Abraham and/or Robinson for the playoff opener is compromised by the injuries sustained in Game 16.
Of Abraham, Smith said: “The early report is that it’s minor. We’re not overly concerned … Tomorrow we’ll know a whole lot more.”
Of Robinson: “Dunta, I think, will be fine.”
Then this: “We’ve got two weeks. That’s why we play these 16 games, to get that bye. There’s a big advantage not having to line up in six or seven days and go play in the second season.”
Since the Falcons convened in July, they’ve known that nothing they accomplished in this regular season — even if they wound up with the NFL’s best record, which is what happened — would register if they can’t win a playoff game. That’s what made Sunday’s doings so weird: With the precious playoffs almost at hand, they got caught up in the meaningless.
The good news was that neither injury appears as bad as it might have been. “I’m fine,” Robinson said in the locker room. “But they’ve (meaning publicists, citing a team rule about injured players giving interviews) gagged me.”
Privately, Falcons officials were relieved that Abraham’s ankle left ankle didn’t swell. But the left ankle is rather essential for a right defensive end, and the Falcons will need Abraham at full gallop if they’re to win the Super Bowl.
Said free safety Thomas DeCoud: “That’s one guy you definitely don’t want getting hurt.”
Asked about the insistence on playing the starters the entire game, DeCoud said: “It’s a Catch-22. If you play them and somebody gets hurt, everyone points the finger.”
The belief here is that Smith dared too greatly, that he assumed way too much risk for very little reward. In his defense, history offers little guidance on the issue of regular-season momentum vis-a-vis postseason success.
The past two Super Bowl champs (Packers and Giants) had to win Games 15 and 16 just to reach the postseason, and neither had a Round 1 bye. The 2009 Saints lost their final three regular-season games and still won the Super Bowl. The 2007 Patriots went flat-out in their regular-season finale against the Giants to get to 16-0 but were beaten in the Super Bowl by the same Giants. The 2005 Colts were 14-0 but chose to play Peyton Manning sparingly in Games 15 and 16 (losing both) and were ousted in their first playoff game.
To no great surprise, the Falcons appeared caught between Sunday. They weren’t quite sure how hard to try, so they wound up falling 13 points behind a Tampa Bay team that hadn’t won since Nov. 18. The inevitable — inevitable when you consider that Ryan took every offensive snap — rally fell a touchdown short.
Again, no big deal. And it’s possible that Sunday’s injuries won’t amount to much and the Flowery Branch Birds will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy five weeks hence. Still, a game of no consequence needn’t have spawned such drama.
“I didn’t even see John,” Jerry said, speaking of his collision with Abraham. “I heard him make an unusual noise and turned to see him holding his ankle.”
It isn’t known whether Mike Smith, seeing the same image, likewise made a noise. We can, however, guess what his words might have been.
Further reading: As for the game itself, it was pretty crummy, too.
By Mark Bradley
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321 comments Add your comment
dean
December 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
First? No way.
See you in 2 weeks!
Mark Bradley
December 30th, 2012
6:16 pm
Dean takes the kudos
D in ATL
December 30th, 2012
6:20 pm
Two weeks from now the new season begins. That’s when the verdict will be read.
Chris
December 30th, 2012
6:20 pm
Not a good idea at all to play the starters just for momentum…then lose players and the game on top of that.
James
December 30th, 2012
6:23 pm
Last year when we destroyed TB, people were saying we showed our hand and should have rested, and lost in the 1st round. This year when we wanted to build up momentum going into the postseason, it was that we should have rested. You can never find a happy medium.
Stinger 2
December 30th, 2012
6:24 pm
Smith made a decision that was his to make. It was risky but give him credit for not backing off after he said we are going to try to win this game. Second guessing is much easier. So I am guessing that there will be many negative comments about
Smitty`s decision on this blog.
Connie Lingous
December 30th, 2012
6:25 pm
Nice article, Mark; not following DeCoud’s comparison of the decision to a Catch-22, but whatever.
Smitty is coaching very tight, the players are feeling it; that’s what it comes down to, I’m afraid. He’s doing it this way because it’s the opposite of what he did in 2010; word is the practice schedule this week is constructed as the opposite of 2010. Really? We lost in 2010 because we didn’t have explosive offense, which I thought we fixed.
Reads to me he wants to have a pre-baked CYA when he asks Art to pass the salt over dinner two weeks from tomorrow.
Hope I’m wrong.
Your Facebook Friend
December 30th, 2012
6:26 pm
Same ol’ Falcons. Look for a one and done in the Playoffs. LOL.
ghoicov
December 30th, 2012
6:27 pm
Play calling on both sides of the ball was vanilla. Looked like a 3rd preseason game. Were they trying to win? Of course. But how hard? I doubt much game planning went into this and certainly no offensive or defensive wrinkles were shown.
Interesting
December 30th, 2012
6:27 pm
Let your 2nd and 3rd stringers run around while the starters sit. A teams win column doesn’t mean squat unless they win it all. 16-0 Patriots during the regular season? The only thing people remember is them losing the Super Bowl, not their record.
Skeezix
December 30th, 2012
6:29 pm
Uh oh…and lost anyway. Lost to the lowly Bucs. I don’t have a good feeling about this.
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
6:29 pm
MB, of little interest, but, how does the NFL union review calls? If Julio Jones ‘blocked in the back’ then I’m the Pope.
QB/DB
December 30th, 2012
6:30 pm
Plain Stupid!!!!!!!!!! What is the priority???? I thought it was the Playoff’s and the Super Bowl? Smith and some fans wanted to keep the Falcons sharp are you kidding me!!! We were just lucky Ryan didn’t get hurt, he took some shots! If those guys can’t go full speed and we lose Smith has set himselve up to make one of the dumbest decisions of all time! I pray I’m WRONG!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
6:35 pm
I told you were going to need “good luck” with this bunch this weekend! Geez, the crass is out for blood!!!
Peria Jerry is the defensive player of the game!!!
TOM
December 30th, 2012
6:35 pm
Did not even read your comments but what a bunch of idiots. I have supported the falcons from out of town since 1978 and spend the money to fly in for games but could not believe they left the starters in that long. Momentom my ass. They have a week off. We need to grow up. Abraham, Spoon and Dunta better be ready to go or Mike Smith will be hearing from me. This is a different team than ever before with Nolan and Dirk coaching. I hold Smith accountable
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
6:37 pm
“Of Abraham, Smith said: ‘The early report is that it’s minor. We’re not overly concerned … Tomorrow we’ll know a whole lot more.’”
Isn’t that what they said about Weatherspoon early this season…we know how long he was out. Let’s really hope it’s “minor.”
Mr. Mustard
December 30th, 2012
6:38 pm
Well, it is hard to get angry with Mike Smith, the Falcons’ coach who has been part of the best records in franchise history. However, there are concerns and we have mentioned them long before today, about Mr. Smith.
I say, if not for Mr. Blank and Mr. Dimitroff we probably would not have changed coordinators this season, because coach Smith is a loyal leader. That is good up to a point.
Smith seems to want to stay in one mode, as in ground and pound, and stay with what got you here, so to speak.
His lack of adjustments in previous seasons are well known on this board and to Falcons’ faithful.
Sometimes, Mike Smith seems over his head and unsure of himself, on camera and with game plans.
Seriously, the defense we fielded in previous playoffs were laughable, where they seemed constantly surprised that the Cardinals, Giants and Packers + (Saints) threw the ball on third downs.
Now we have Smith, commit to win yet make conservative calls during the game. He seemed to not take the game as seriously as he said it would be, thus playing our starters in total for this meaningless game.
I don’t oppose his decision, I suspect his weakness is taking chances, except when he lurches into an emotional outburst to prove a point like in the Saints game last year.
I think we have a journeyman coach in Mike Smith. A great person, a good football man but not a visionary. Without the demands of his superiors we would have few changes, and a predictable team.
I hope I am wrong, but frankly I am beginning to think the weak link in our otherwise excellent organization, on the rise and making long term franchise decisions – is Mike Smith.
The tentative, conservative approach does not win championships. You must adjust, you must adapt during the game, as well as each week.
Today was puzzling. Either go out there and play to win, or give them a few reps and then bring in the second string.
With all that said, I hope the Falcons have a creative and aggressive plan for their next opponent. I bet the opponent will not be surprised that we go for it on third down and long, or fake a punt.
Go Falcons, I am a fan – but it is time to realize that you are worthy – you belong and once in the playoffs, you must change when required.
Bradley Curse
December 30th, 2012
6:38 pm
“Of Abraham, Smith said: “The early report is that it’s minor. We’re not overly concerned … Tomorrow we’ll know a whole lot more.”
Of Robinson: “Dunta, I think, will be fine.”
If Smithy thinks they’ll be fine, that means they won’t be playing when the Falcons open at home in a few weeks. Based on previous comments he’s made about injuries, his injury guesses …. are crap!
GB's Hamburgers
December 30th, 2012
6:41 pm
Some players were playing …. some were not. The offensive was definitely not. TB had the worst pass defense in the NFL but our recievers couldn’t shake them today. With them covered and the O line not blocking, it was a hazzardous day at the office for Ryan.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
6:46 pm
I said back during the week that I thought they should play the starters, to avoid a 2 week layoff and coming out flat in Round 1 of the playoffs. I’ll stand by that, I still think it was the right thing to do.
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
6:47 pm
@Mr. Mustard, good points
JSS
December 30th, 2012
6:48 pm
When I made a fuss about not trusting Jeff Fish and the Falcons training staff, people pooh-poohed me… Good luck with trusting that bunch
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
6:52 pm
Mr mustard — one can get angry with Smitty.
Yes, he owns the best record in franchise history.
Yes, he has 5 straight winning seasons.
However, Smith has the benefit of more talent than any falcon coach in history — by miles!!
…and, we’re still waiting on a playoff Win.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
6:56 pm
…..and you’re correct, he is clearly the weak link of this Football Team.
ATLtodolavida
December 30th, 2012
6:57 pm
Abraham has had injury problems throughout his career and is a seasoned vet. Should have been rested!!!! BIGGER FISH TO FRY. Reminds me of when he injured his thumb against Carolina in a meaningless last play of a game against Carolina. Give Sidbury a chance.
ATLtodolavida
December 30th, 2012
6:58 pm
Jim Mora was Coach in that Carolina game.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:00 pm
I think Mike Smith knows he has to get wins in the playoffs now or he will be like poor Andy Reid out there in no mans land looking for a new start or looking for something………I wish we had Andy in Atlanta………..maybe I am nuts but that is one heck of a good Coach, he just had a Coach killer QB so it is what it is
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 30th, 2012
7:03 pm
Mike Smith is laughable. Too stubborn and not smart. He is more cheerleader/motivator than elite coach. You better hope the birds can win in spite of his shenanigans.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
7:03 pm
Smith has the benefit of more talent than any falcon coach in history — by miles!!
That’s an arguable point but he doesn’t have Jeff Van Note, Mike Kenn, Warren Bryant and R C Theilemann or anything comparable to them.
DeepDiver
December 30th, 2012
7:07 pm
Smith is a great leader of man and a fine football coach.
A tactician — and this criticism extends to game management, in-game decisions, strategy, etc — he is not. Many, many errors in clock management, 1pt/2pt decisions and 4th down decisions over the years, and now Startergate 2012 along with the Challenge Gaffe against Arizona.
The odd thing is that TD is such a sharp thinker — seems he would have someone of a similar pedigree for his head coach.
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
7:11 pm
This was not a tough decision. This was not a Catch-22. This was an easy call and Coach Smith blew it. All he had to do SINCE IT WAS A MEANINGLESS GAME was play his key folks for the first half to keep them sharp and then rest them. If he had told all his players this beforehand, then they would have known to play hard and then they were done. The key players are easy to spot and should be well known by our coach. I would say they are Ryan, Turner, Julio, Roddy, and Tony G. on offense and Abraham and at least your two starting cornerbacks on defense. Dumb decision all the way around by Smith and somebody at the AJ/C, or FOX or ESPN ought to have the nerve to call him out. When the Falcons win in 2 weeks, none of this will matter.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Dawgdad (The Original)
December 30th, 2012
7:12 pm
Terrible choice for Smith, but he wound up with the worst of the bad outcomes. If he wins his first playoff game, all will be right in his world. If he loses, whether he played the starters and tried to win or just went through the motions and lost, he is going to be severely criticized.
Losing the playoff game will make whatever he did today seem to be at fault. There was no solution available to him to avoid this scenario, assuming he loses. To avoid criticism for today, he has to win the playoff game.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
7:13 pm
Andy Reid for all his great attributes has a big albatross around his neck, never built great offensive lines or took advantage of great running backs Westbrook and McCoy… No excuse for that…
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
7:13 pm
Good to see Michael Jenkins hasn’t lost his “touch”!
techmule
December 30th, 2012
7:13 pm
Mark bradley,they (FALCONs) have nothing to risk.You have no clue whats going on.YOU sports writers in ATLANATA have no class in nothing but speaking about what you thats right you THINK whats going on. AS long as AJC keeps ya”ll around, all the TEAMS in THE little ATLANATA are going to be losers all the time.NOW that being said,Abraham,Dunta robinson,Asante samuel are a blissing in deguish.TO start with.if ABRAHAM is the best player on deffence we are in big time trouble .show me just one time just one time where he has made a tackle of any kind werther one for a lose are a qb.sack. on (HIS) own.MAYBE one and thats it.THE rest has landing in his lap a give me.FOR you all writers and team mates and espn and all the media tell us that he is a big time lost if he dosen:t make it back show how much respect you have for the ticket buyers which is NONE. THESE 3 players are no where the players yall say they are.NEVER was with ATLANTA. MIGHT use to be ,but not now.NOW if DUMb_ a$$ will play the second stringers we will win.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:14 pm
Falcons may have lost today and upset some of us fans but they hold the best record in the entire NFL at 13-3 so it speaks volumes on who they are this year………………….Time to rise up !
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
7:14 pm
If he had told all his players this beforehand, then they would have known to play hard and then they were done.
Shouldn’t they play hard any time they’re on the field?
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
7:15 pm
There is no limit for the team, buy your psl now!
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:15 pm
Of Abraham, Smith said: “The early report is that it’s minor. We’re not overly concerned … Tomorrow we’ll know a whole lot more.”
*********
Here’s phil’s take….
He couldn’t walk at all. Smith thinks we’re all idiots. I hope he’s somehow right, not that it will matter since we can’t rush the passer, can’t stop the run and can’t run it ourselves.
Requiem Queen
December 30th, 2012
7:15 pm
Wow. Falcons played starters all game and tried to win and got beat by the putrid Bucs who had lost 5 straight games previously. The Falcons will be one and done in playoffs. This IS the same team that lost to Giants last year & Packers 2 years ago in playoffs. No offensive line pass protection. Ryan was running every play ! Then on defense they get zero pressure on Josh Johnson. Did anyone else nothing that ? With or without Abraham they get no pressure on qbs and Rodgers,R.Wilson,Kaepernick,R.Wilson,etc. will pick Falcons secondary apart. And we all know it.
Falcons should have signed Cliff Avril in off season.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
Haha — right on que MJ
NtheNo
December 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
Folks – this is the Falcons, they had a great regular season but are at the end of the run. Falcons finish 13-4.
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
7:17 pm
Techmule, I haven’t called anyone an idiot in a long time, but you are pushing my limits.
Kugs
December 30th, 2012
7:19 pm
Lots of Monday morning quarterbacking going on in the comments above. Who, in their right mind, would be calling for the head of Mike Smith as Falcons coach? The man has brought us a winning program! Out of all of the shoulda-coulda-woulda comments, how many of you were on the field today? That’s what I thought.
Have you ever considered that maybe the reason the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl is the fact that their fan base is so weak? It’s time to “Rise Up” and get behind the Falcons! Let’s show the world we’re a first class city, proud of our team and grateful for our top notch players and coaches!
78dawg
December 30th, 2012
7:19 pm
There is DUMB and there is STUPID. Playing the starters today was plain STUPID. On top of that they played like crap and LOST to a lowly ranked defense. Who is the one player we couldn’t afford to lose besides Ryan? Yes..you guessed it..JOHN ABRAHAM ! Smith should be praying he gets healthy quick. Everybody praises Smith for what he is and has done. Well today he deserved to be gone…SO for the next 2 weeks..Smith should study hard…..the O-line should learn how to block..and DeCoud should learn how to tackle…Miserable day all around.
Kugs
December 30th, 2012
7:22 pm
One other thing, Mark Bradley. Did you pay for your ticket to the game today, or were you there on a complimentary press pass?
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
7:23 pm
Hillbilly D, don’t be naive as I know you are smarter than that. NFL players, contrary to popular opinion, are not stupid. They knew that this game was meaningless, that the next game is what matters (i.e. getting a playoff win and more playoff money), and they also want to avoid injury. What they don’t know is whether their coach really means it when he says publicly that he wants to win the game and if he says he does, then they can’t help but wonder why would he believe such a thing. So my point is say whatever you want to the media but be straight with your players using words like “Guys, we all know this game doesn’t matter at all but we need to get some game speed reps in to keep our edge so I want you all to bust it for the first half and then we’ll rest our key folks so that we are ready when the tournament starts.”
LET’S GO FALCONS!
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:23 pm
TOM
December 30th, 2012
6:35 pm
Did not even read your comments but what a bunch of idiots. I have supported the falcons from out of town since 1978 and spend the money to fly in for games but could not believe they left the starters in that long. Momentom my ass. They have a week off. We need to grow up. Abraham, Spoon and Dunta better be ready to go or Mike Smith will be hearing from me. This is a different team than ever before with Nolan and Dirk coaching. I hold Smith accountable
*******
uh oh….
Smith might be hearing from TOM. I’m sure he’ll be sweating hearing from big, bad Tom.
Tom, take your meds, ok? Then your fantasy world will seem less real.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
Anytime you play rivals in your division you can be beaten, it just wasn’t a win today……………………………………..
DeepDiver
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
Way to go Mike! Great coaching out there today!!!!!!! Had the Super Bowl right in front of us, but couldn’t come up with enough plays there at the end. I guess there’s always next year!!
***checks schedule***
You mean we can still get to the Super Bowl even though we LOST today??!!!!!!!!!!
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
No one hits those slants better than GB.
Moorman
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
What decision? You dont play your starters the whole game in a meaningless game……
Tron5000
December 30th, 2012
7:26 pm
Oh boo hoo. These are grown men who get paid to play football; make them play football.
If we had to play next week I might agree that it would have been prudent to rest some players, but they’re already gonna have 2 weeks off. My opinion is that it would be better for them to make plays at game speed today than sit on the sideline in bubble wrap in fear of injury.
Requiem Queen
December 30th, 2012
7:26 pm
Are you watching Vikings/Packers game ? A. Rodgers unstoppable with no pass rush on him. Even C.Ponder playing well with no pass rush on him. Which ever team Falcons face doesn’t matter. All teams in playoffs will stop Falcons pass rush and pick Falcons secondary apart. Face it homers.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:26 pm
Refs are giving the Packers late Christmas gifts……………..hehehehe
BIGDAWGFAN
December 30th, 2012
7:27 pm
thanks Kugs I could not have said it better
Joe Blpow
December 30th, 2012
7:28 pm
Shows just how dumb Spike Lee really is. His ancestors were not “stolen” from Africa. They were sold into slavery by his other “ancestors”. He would best honor them by getting his history right.
Falcons 1 and done, lol.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
7:28 pm
What they don’t know is whether their coach really means it when he says publicly that he wants to win the game and if he says he does, then they can’t help but wonder why would he believe such a thing.
Well, I’m just guessing like everybody else but my guess would be he told them, in the locker room, exactly what he expected. NFL players are big boys and they are well aware that coaches/players/GMs, etc. say one thing for public consumption and something else in house. That’s just big time sports and I think most of them take what they see in the paper, with a grain of salt.
Buck Belue once commented on Vince Dooley’s style. Vince was well known for talking up how good his opponent was and how UGA would have to play a perfect game to even compete. According to Buck (and others), that was all for public consumption and Vince often said something quite different to the team. That’s just the way the game is played.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:29 pm
Packers got a touchdown on a genuine Fumble……..thanks to the refs
Packers got two pass interference calls on this last drive to to it up……………..thanks to the refs
There is a Santy Claus……………………………………
robert
December 30th, 2012
7:30 pm
it doesnt really matter we cant stop the run and we cant stop the pass we cant get off the field on third down so it really doesnt matter does it?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:31 pm
nawwwww……….Falcons won’t go one n done this year……………they will play at least in the NFC Title Game………………
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:32 pm
Kugs
December 30th, 2012
7:19 pm
Lots of Monday morning quarterbacking going on in the comments above. Who, in their right mind, would be calling for the head of Mike Smith as Falcons coach? The man has brought us a winning program! Out of all of the shoulda-coulda-woulda comments, how many of you were on the field today? That’s what I thought.
Have you ever considered that maybe the reason the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl is the fact that their fan base is so weak? It’s time to “Rise Up” and get behind the Falcons! Let’s show the world we’re a first class city, proud of our team and grateful for our top notch players and coaches!
**********
the fan base is so weak….
That’s it!!! Good grief. Where do people who really think stuff like this come from?
VFP42
December 30th, 2012
7:33 pm
If they woulda had been playing in a new intractable roof stadium they woulda had won right?
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:34 pm
Fire someone!!
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
7:35 pm
Have you ever considered that maybe the reason the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl is the fact that their fan base is so weak?
I, for one, don’t think the fans have anything to do with what takes place on the field, as much as they’d like to think otherwise.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
Bradley: “The Falcons played to win and lost anyway. No big deal.”
_____________________
And THAT is the problem with this city’s pro teams and too many of its fans–losing is “no big deal.”
No wonder they call us “Losersville.”
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
Kugs: “Have you ever considered that maybe the reason the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl is the fact that their fan base is so weak?” Are you nuts? Do you realize the Super Bowl is not a home game? Does the name Eugene Robinson mean anything to you? We lost the Super Bowl at the end of 1998 season because of Eugene’s extracurricular activities blowing up everyone’s preparation and the fact that basically we picked the last game of the season to play our worst game of the year. None of which had anything to do with fan support.
And in all the years before that under the Smith family ownership (also known as the dumbest owners ever), they were rarely smart enough to hire a good coach and did so maybe three times: Leeman Bennett, Norm Van Brocklin, and Dan Reeves would be my picks. Most of the rest of them—Norb Hecker, Pat Peppler, Marion Campbell, June Jones, Jerry Glanville—were awful or gimmicky.
And Arthur Blank has had his misfires too. First, he forced Dan Reeves out which was a mistake using the year Vick got hurt in pre-season as a pretense for needing to do so. Blank also hired the idiot and phony by the name of Jim Mora Jr. (and don’t forget Petrino).
So, please stop smoking whatever you are having or share it with me, as the Atlanta Falcons fans have supported this team since 1966 despite having maybe 10-12 seasons when doing so didn’t mean getting laughed at.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
VFP42 – exactly right
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
The fan base is weak because the Falcons play weak when the drum roll begins……………………………Just a thought here……..” what if the Falcons make it to the Superbowl and wind up playing the Broncos in it again………….Deja vu All over again? ” as in ” 98 ”
This is a good ballgame with the Pack and the Vikings…………………………
JSS
December 30th, 2012
7:43 pm
If fan bases meant that much, Kansas City, Cleveland, Seattle, and Philly would never not play in the Super Bowl!
Birdhouse
December 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
Sorry performance. Sure haven’t looked like a 13-3 team lately, going back to the close New Orleans game. Championship contenders finish like Denver and step on the gas. Not surprised we get no respect.
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
Dawgnole – good luck ever getting Bradley to understand why saying stuff like that upsets some of us.
He gets paid, win or lose. I guess i can see why he doesn’t care.
Mr. Mustard
December 30th, 2012
7:47 pm
Its not just the losses, its the way we lose.
Today, everyone is saying the team was lackluster at first and had to turn it on, and obviously not enough.
We lost to Tampa on a meaningless game. So, we played our best and lost? Not good guys.
It happens too much with this team where we “let down” against a “lessor opponent”.
We have won ZERO Superbowls, and only ONE NFC title in how many years, and we are cocky enough to take anything for granted?
That is coaching’s fault, and our coach is Mike Smith.
I was shocked last year at the level of play last year against the Giants.
If the Falcons’ are overwhelmed again this year in the playoffs, then I say it will be time to replace Smith. Today was weird, and it should not have been. We are the best in the NFC, go out and play hard, or rest the guys.
Geez!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
7:47 pm
wow, Peterson was 9 yards short of a record and the field goal kicker had to make it to get the win to keep it out of overtime so they would make the playoffs………………
Requiem Queen
December 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
If you can’t beat the Bucs then you can’t beat a playoff team. Tell Mike Smith that !!!
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
We want nothing to do with Peyton Manning again…..
Nothing!
Won’t be an issue anyway.
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:50 pm
Fan base…..
Exactly, JSS.
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
7:50 pm
That’s right, JSS, and let me add on that Buffalo lost all those Super Bowls too because of their fan base–too many sellout games in a row and too many of them showing up in the cities where the Super Bowl was played (including Atlanta at end of the 1994-1995 season). Yes, KUGS, you are so right. (that’s sarcasm, by the way).
Smitty blew it, should have played our key guys the first half only so they could get some game speed repetitions and stay sharp, and then sat them down. Doesn’t take Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh or Bill Belichik [sp.] to figure that one out.
Smitty better have our guys ready to rumble in two weeks as winning that game makes everything fine.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Macon Fan
December 30th, 2012
7:51 pm
Well a few short weeks ago the Falcons got beat by an inferior team the week after clinching the division.
Ask the NY Giants how the next game went for them.
drew
December 30th, 2012
7:52 pm
Doesn’t matter….Every single NFL analyst today said that the Falcons are not the best team in the division. There are teams that didn’t make the playoffs that are better than the Falcons….When will Mark Bradley wake up????
G-DawgG-Dawg
December 30th, 2012
7:55 pm
To quote a great coach “You tell me when they’ll get hurt and I won’t play ‘em.” It was Smitty’s choice to make and he was not going to make everybody happy no matter what.
cc
December 30th, 2012
7:56 pm
Did they risk too much…yes. What has everyone in the ATL said over the past 3 years….what has every in the media said over the past 3 years….what has every other NFL team felt over the past 3 years….the Falcons cannot win a playoff game! In fact they implode. So yes, in a game where absolutely nothing is gained from winning, they risked too much. We can only hope that the injuries suffered are truly minor and with the first round BYE, already wrapped up before this game, the players have ample time to heal. In fact in a game like this wouldn’t it be BETTER to play some players that do not get a lot of playing time…to get them into a game atmosphere just in case they are called on in the playoffs?
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
Got in my 4 mile run after we lost…..
How many of you other lard butts did that today?
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
Hey MB, it’s ROI, what does #55 make? Falcons can do better.
1990_Champs_GT
December 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
Smith showed why the fans don’t trust in him by leaving those guys in.
14-2 won’t get the playoff monkey off their backs. Only playoff wins will do that.
It’s put up or shut up time. Win or go home for both the Birds and Smitty.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
7:58 pm
I wouldn’t hang too much on that Giants game anymore…
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:59 pm
Smith is funny….
Abe’s ankle didn’t swell. Is it April Fool’s Day?
Sure it didn’t.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:00 pm
Darn…………. I wouldn’t say Atlanta never play Denver again in the Super Bowl………….I may have just said way above the two teams that will play it in the Cesspool Superdome ! Atlanta vs. Denver…………….Manning vs. Ryan…………the two no-huddle quarterbacks……..be a good game
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:03 pm
4 miles Phil…………..maybe you need to play football………..I could do 1 mile and need to lay down for a little while after it……………………..
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
8:03 pm
Be proud this last game, the Falcons showed who they are. They rose up! for MSmith.
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
8:04 pm
G-DawgG-Dawg, today was a small disaster — Smith made a bad choice.
On one hand, the Falcons “could” win a meaningless game by playing starters the whole game (mission failed anyway). On the other, they could rest key starters and avoid losing star players for the playoffs. Hmmmm, tough choice.
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
8:04 pm
Looks like we will play the lowest seed remaining out of the following teams: during wild card weekend, Minnesota plays at Green Bay and Seattle plays at either the Cowboys or Redskins. Most likely that will mean we will play either Washington or Dallas, or Seattle or Minnesota since the Packers are a three seed.
We played and beat the Skins and Cowboys during the regular season. Besides Minnesota, all of them have solid QBs to reckon with.
We ought to be able to beat any — Redskins, Cowboys, Seahawks, or Vikings — of those teams and do so soundly. The toughest match-up would be the Seahawks, in my opinion, as Russell Wilson is smart, steady, and very mobile and Marshawn Lynch has already shown what he can do in a playoff game (ask New Orleans).
Time to put this game behind us, Smitty, and get your butt to work preparing for the next one. With apologies to Lynch, Falcons need to come out in ‘beast mode’ and get out in front early and score often—I want to see the edge we had in our first game after the bye when we destroyed Philly.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
8:07 pm
From cc — “In fact in a game like this wouldn’t it be BETTER to play some players that do not get a lot of playing time…to get them into a game atmosphere just in case they are called on in the playoffs?”
Yes, completely agree
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:07 pm
I don’t know …..those Vikings played hard out there today and had to play the officials too……………………………..
Ghost of Sinkwich
December 30th, 2012
8:08 pm
Both teams DB’s held all day long. It really hurt the Falcons because the passing game is their strength.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
8:08 pm
How many of you other lard butts did that today?
I’m not a lard butt but the only way I’m running is if somebody is chasing me and even then I’d have to think about it.
BravesFan79
December 30th, 2012
8:09 pm
I like our position in the playoffs, GB and SF battle it out on the other side of the bracket, and we can (im guessing) face the Vikings if they somehow beat the Packers again next week.
Macon Fan
December 30th, 2012
8:10 pm
Got in my 4 mile run after we lost…..
How many of you other lard butts did that today?
I ran 8, lard butt.
tyger
December 30th, 2012
8:11 pm
The risk is being “EXPOSED”…
- Champions put chumps away early…
- No risk in playing starters…it’s football!
- If you’re scared – QUIT!!!
- This is horrible…
- Loss to below .500 team at home…
- ATL hasnt won playoff game since Vick…
- No excuses…flat my arse!
- They couldnt beat the Bucs!
- It wasnt a fluke, no Hail Mary’s, no miracles!!!
- They punched the Falcons in the mouth…
- And they rolled over…in their house!!!
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
8:12 pm
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:46 pm
Dawgnole – good luck ever getting Bradley to understand why saying stuff like that upsets some of us.
He gets paid, win or lose. I guess i can see why he doesn’t care.
________________________
And the fact that it only upsets SOME of us is yet another problem.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:15 pm
I walked 6 on the treadmill while the game was on… Son, unless you can drop 6 of those at 4:42 pace, Sssssssssh!!!
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
8:16 pm
cc
December 30th, 2012
7:56 pm
So yes, in a game where absolutely nothing is gained from winning, they risked too much.
____________________
There is no such thing as a game in which absolutely nothing is gained from winning. Only losing gains you nothing.
4DaBirds
December 30th, 2012
8:16 pm
If Abrahams ankle was broken, we’d already know it. Dunta was looking alright as he left the field. No concussion there. The team will be ready in 2 weeks.
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
8:17 pm
Washington followed by SF would be the best chance for the Falcons to reach the SB.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
8:20 pm
phil
December 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
Got in my 4 mile run after we lost…..
How many of you other lard butts did that today?
_______________________
And oh how I wish I could’ve joined you! After 26 years of running, had to give it up 4 years ago. Hip, feet/ankles broke down.
Latest foot surgery Oct 2. Today I got in my 5-minute WALK at halftime. Delighted to do so w/o pain. Hoping the New Year brings even better news.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
8:20 pm
Dunta was looking alright as he left the field. No concussion there.
I’ve had concussions before and you can’t always tell at a glance (unless it’s you). Hopefully, he doesn’t have one but you never know.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:21 pm
Hillbilly!!! Ha ha, don’t think too hard, they might have extra clips unfortunately!!!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:22 pm
That fool has a concussion
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:23 pm
Losing the last game of the Season was the gift horse in the mouth for the Falcons……………….now they have to live with the taste of losing at home for two whole weeks ………….and you think this team will not be fired up to win that playoff game?
I hate Sunday nite football.the announcers suck………………………
RB
December 30th, 2012
8:23 pm
Anyone who saw how Abe rolled back onto his ankle with Jerry’s weight bearing down on him could see it was not minor. I don’t trust what Smitty said. We will know the truth soon.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
8:25 pm
In all seriousness, somebody needs to teach Dunta to stop leading with his head.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
DawgNole you’re lucky, I had an Intra-articular fracture with 5 screws back in 94… Luckily they finally approved the total ankle replacement here in the US in 2009… Take care of that ankle!!!
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
8:29 pm
tyger
December 30th, 2012
8:11 pm
The risk is being “EXPOSED”…
- Champions put chumps away early…
– No risk in playing starters…it’s football!
– If you’re scared – QUIT!!!
- This is horrible…
– Loss to below .500 team at home…
– ATL hasnt won playoff game since Vick…
- No excuses…flat my arse!
– They couldnt beat the Bucs!
– It wasnt a fluke, no Hail Mary’s, no miracles!!!
- They punched the Falcons in the mouth…
– And they rolled over…in their house!!!
___________________
I hate it, but I agree.
k483
December 30th, 2012
8:30 pm
Okay, I have a question here: How far should the Falcons look forward in a game like this? It would seem like a good thing for them to lose a non-consequential division game, because wouldn’t that boost Tampa Bay’s position in the final standings and thus put them in a worse draft position and potentially make them less competitive next year and perhaps coming years? Or is something like that too forward thinking?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:30 pm
lol at London Fletcher…………………like the Skins to beat the Cowgirls
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:30 pm
He should have learned after that DeSean Jackson hit, instead it was applauded on these blogs… His brain is going to be a case study if he’s not careful…
SFalc
December 30th, 2012
8:33 pm
the falcons were just flat against lowly tampa, expecting an easy win—they’ll be on fire in the playoffs. ATL beats Green bay for the nfc title—bet the house!
Larry
December 30th, 2012
8:34 pm
Glass half empty crowd,
We lost a meaningless game with most of our guys (especially the OL) giving 75% effort to a division rival. That’s it. That’s all it is. Repeat: that’s all it is, nothing more.
We are still the number 1 seed and we will have a playoff game in two weeks with a great shot to win it. And despite your negative, whiney, pessimistic predictions, the best team will win that day and it will have absolutely nothing to do with today’s game or last year’s playoff loss. You may not realize this but both teams that play will be playoff teams and both teams want to win equally so may the best team win.
Grow up!
Michael "the coach killer" Vick
December 30th, 2012
8:36 pm
bye Andy Reid, thanks for hanging your hopes on my terrible butt.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:36 pm
Tampa is not going to be hurt by winning a game to get to 7-9, they have around $14 million cap space thanks to the Talib trade… They can actually get into the Grimes sweepstakes now if the Falcons cut him loose…
sorry failcants
December 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
get ready for another one and done
Eastpoint
December 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
Smitty wanted to play starters entire game and win, but the problem was that the starters didn’t want to play in this meaningless game and decided not to play hard.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
Cowgirls getting ready to kick a fieldgoal,woops picked off………………….lmao
@ SFalc ………..I would think Atlanta would really be up to the challenge to whip the Packers in a revenge game for a few years back……………………
child please
December 30th, 2012
8:39 pm
sfalc- will yuou bet your house? You and I both know the falcons are not the best team in the nfc. I’d bet my house, they lose in the first round.
5250 UOAD
December 30th, 2012
8:40 pm
Falcons were terrible! Will lose playoff game!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:41 pm
Just think how dangerous Atlanta would be if they had a back like the Redskins do……………………………………….
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:42 pm
Ah, here come the deflectors… I guess Whisenhunt, Gregg Knapp and Bob Bratkowski can use that line tomorrow when they are shown the “Cam Cameron Memorial Door, and the foot guiding them out of it” in the morning huh?
JSS
December 30th, 2012
8:45 pm
“Just think how dangerous Atlanta would be if they had a O-Line to zone block like the Redskins do…”
dennis
December 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
Quit saying no big deal..they played to win and got beat.
backatcha
December 30th, 2012
8:47 pm
Hello fellow Georgians,
We need to chill! The culture Mike Smith has established for the Falcons is unprecedented!!! We are significantly better from a year ago, & Coach did what he felt was best for the team & what worked for teams in the past! Operating experience (conventional wisdom) says that this was not a bad loss! We usually come back stronger when we lose! There are obvious areas to focus on for the next two weeks. It is extremely difficult to prepare when you’re on top. Now Coach Smith has true momentum (things to nag about for the next couple of weeks)! The last thing we need is overconfidence or complacency especially when everyone is pretty much on an even playing field. This is a different Falcons team & this might be our year. One game at a time though & relax guys!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:48 pm
RUSHING
NAME
Michael Turner 216 - 782
Jacquizz Rodgers 89 - 334
Not near what they need
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:51 pm
Quizz is 1/3 the size of Turner and he has almost half the yards Tuner does……………….lol at JSS
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
8:54 pm
Romo just threw da bomb for a interception………..what a beautiful hang time he put on it too…………………………….lmao…..look like a kickoff
Larry
December 30th, 2012
8:54 pm
One knows what they’re dealing with when a card carrying member of the negative, angry, jealous, resentful glass half empty clan refers to those who want success for the Falcons as “deflectors.” Perhpas he meant detractors.
graphite
December 30th, 2012
8:55 pm
The Falcods are playing like the old Falcods did.Who would pay money to see this junk?
Fred Garvin
December 30th, 2012
8:55 pm
when is the last time the Falcons lost 2 in a row at home, JSS,, anyone?
Riggins
December 30th, 2012
8:58 pm
RG Peter Konz was manhandled and abused by an inferior opponent. He was flat run over. Matt’s livelihood is in danger. Thus, another poor showing from the offensive line. This should not happen at this point. The positive thing that the Falcons can take away from this game is: knowing how bad their offensive line is, and compensate accordingly. Put second string guys in to do the job-if neccessary. Last time it was Matt’s left side with Sam Baker; now it’s his right side with Konz. If the Falcons don’t get that issue resolved-and I don’t know if they will-they are one and done for the 5th time and Mike Smith will be let go.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:00 pm
2009…
Fred Garvin
December 30th, 2012
9:01 pm
Great points Riggins, The question is the coaching smart enough to make adjustments,, we shall see.
4 Jacks
December 30th, 2012
9:01 pm
I appreciate everything coach Smith has done for the Falcon organization and until today I thought he was a fairly smart man, but in a game that had no and I mean NO playoff implications for either team the man proved to be a complete idiot or fool. To be playing and risking injury to Ryan, Samuel, Abraham and more is just plain STUPID. Please spare me the reasoning for it, it was PLAIN STUPID, and if I am the owner I would like an explanation I coule live with or t least a couple of playoff victories…Can’t beleive he risked all these guys to injury for absolutely NOTHING.
Fred Garvin
December 30th, 2012
9:02 pm
Thank you JSS
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:02 pm
You folks are always fond of saying: “there is always a first time”
And second, and as we know a third…
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:02 pm
Macon Fan
December 30th, 2012
8:10 pm
Got in my 4 mile run after we lost…..
How many of you other lard butts did that today?
I ran 8, lard butt.
******
i probably know you since i too am a macon fan…fat boy.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:03 pm
Falcons wont go one n done this year…………..aint happening, the loss today will wake em up for the playoffs…………………….
FanBeforeBartkowski
December 30th, 2012
9:03 pm
Its not so much the decision Coach Smith made, rather the performance on the field. What a way to go into the most important playoffs in Falcons history due to the lofty expectations for this team. Throughout their history, something always derails them in some kind of fashion. Honestly, is any long time fan surprised by what happened today. All week we heard about not taking the foot off the gas, and they go out and look like dog crap against a team that has lost the last 5, and several key players get hurt. Some franchises are just “snake bit” and may never get over the hump. I hope the Falcons are not one of them.
Cheese Gritz Blitz
December 30th, 2012
9:06 pm
This game was so dumb. When I saw the score I thought they rested the starters but that makes too much sense. How do you lose AT HOME to TAMPA BAY heading into the playoffs? I smell a one and out again for this years post season.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:06 pm
phil, we got to have Nu-Ways before next season… That’ll really get them talking!
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:09 pm
LOL!
Those Nu-ways are awesome.
Larry
December 30th, 2012
9:09 pm
So Smith will be let go if he loses the next game after his second 13-3 season in three years ,3rd consecutive playoffs and and the second all time greatest W/L record in his first five years in NFL history.
The utter, unabashed ignorance on here is nothing short of amazing. These are the type of men that leave a trail of wive and children behind them when the going gets tough…or when they simply get bored.
Grow up!
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:10 pm
The more I think about it, our offense could not have been much worse today…
It was just awful.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:11 pm
Larry, is that you?
Alpha Male
December 30th, 2012
9:11 pm
That was a stinking performance…and …Why is Peria Jerry still on this team? He got pancaked all day again and then got pushed backwards as usual and took out our best player (Abe). What a sorry player that Peria Jerry is and bad coaching staff and Owner for not wanting to admit he’s a bust and doing something about it.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:11 pm
Just message me on one of the blogs in August, it’s a deal… Cotton Avenue or Northside are the best now…
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:13 pm
Of course it is him, “no means no” never sinks in!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:14 pm
Now if that had been Matt Ryan toted off the field everyone would have been on Smith to h&*l to pay for it, Smitty gambled against a division opponent and they always play one another tough and the Falcons were slow to start and got the whipping they needed to wake them up for these playoff opponents and watching this game tonight.either the Redskins or the Cowgirls will be one n done next week………………………………..
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:15 pm
Alpha, you can’t eat a rookie contract like that, not when you were still paying Jamal Andersen too!!!
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:15 pm
Northside has been around since the 70s amazingly enough…cotton is of course good. Zebulon isn’t bad either.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:18 pm
I take it the Falcons have a snowball’s chance in Georgia according to some on here of getting to the Super Bowl…………….it might snow in the next few weeks you know
Mike
December 30th, 2012
9:18 pm
How was losing today to a team that lost it’s previous 5 games building momo? And then 3 guys get hurt? Idiot coaches.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:18 pm
We ‘ve never hosted an NFC championship game.
We might this year.
We all know our history in this state, though.
How can we ever overcome the collective curses of Bradley and whatever else it is that always guarantees defeat in the biggest games?
How did the Braves do it back in 95? Game must’ve been rigged.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
9:21 pm
How did the Braves do it back in 95?
Three major factors:
A Justice HR
A Glavine gem
It was Cleveland
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:22 pm
Hillbilly, i must agree but the cleveland part is the real true reason….
Our only hope this year is to play the Brown’s in the super bowl…
We’re doomed.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:23 pm
Browns…..
Buzzzed
December 30th, 2012
9:23 pm
I think we are one and done. This team lacks heart and losing to the Bucs at HOME proves it.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:24 pm
My high school girlfriend Sr yr and Freshman year of college worked in the Northside location… I know it too well… Not a big fan of Zebulon,my best childhood friend Mom worked at Cotton Avenue, my Aunt worked Napier both from the 60s-90s
Moe Mentum
December 30th, 2012
9:25 pm
That gutless wonder, Mike Smith, instead of going 4th and 1, punts for negative yards. Could have practiced muscle football, but that makes his pink panties grab his hind end too tight. Did the league let the Bucs play with 15 men on defense? Always 8 in the box with 5 about to sack Ryan, and 3 DBs on every receiver Ryan threw to. Seemed there were others milling about, but I lost count.
McGarrett
December 30th, 2012
9:26 pm
Well a few months ago I said I wouldn’t post here again until December. And here it is. Funny thing is back then I was sure Birds would be done after one in the playoffs.
But now strangely enough I feel today’s loss to be a blessing in disguise. I believe it will fire up these Birds for a victory in 2 weeks.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:26 pm
Fire Buzzzed!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:27 pm
We wanted new offensive , defensive coordinators and we got em and they did an exceptionally well job this year with the players they had……..you got to look at the losses the Falcons took, Saints,Panthers and the Bucs ………..all three losses to opponents in our division.
Everyone else has gone in the toilet when they played the Falcons so who is to say the Falcons can’t continue it in the playoffs. Are these other teams invincible?
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:28 pm
Nope, the Bucs finally played zone against the Falcons
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:28 pm
Small, small world then, JSS….i grew up not far from Northside.
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
9:29 pm
Just think how dangerous the Falcons would
be if they were 13-3, had the best record in the NFL
and home field throughout the playoffs.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
Only Mike Hargrove could hold that lineup down!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:31 pm
lmao at that one NFC South Champs………………….they are at their deadliest stage at this moment !
vuduchld
December 30th, 2012
9:33 pm
All bye will accomplish is to the fraud birds false hopes that they will go deep on the playoffs. This team is a fraud, and today’s loss was just another example. This team is on the playoff road to nowhere
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
9:33 pm
Only Mike Hargrove could hold that lineup down!!!
Ah yes, the Human Rain Delay.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
9:34 pm
FanBeforeBartkowski
December 30th, 2012
9:03 pm
Some franchises are just “snake bit” and may never get over the hump. I hope the Falcons are not one of them.
_______________________
The Falcons have already been “one of them” for 46 years. I just hope they’re not “one of them” again in two weeks.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
Wasn’t it Mark that said this Team would win the Super Bowl this year ? ……………….I’ll be waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting………………………
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:35 pm
Know any Pinkston’s?
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:36 pm
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
9:29 pm
Just think how dangerous the Falcons would
be if they were 13-3, had the best record in the NFL
and home field throughout the playoffs.
********
that’s great and all, but it means nothing now.
Zip. Zilch. Nada.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:38 pm
Know of a couple….that’s about it.
RBI
December 30th, 2012
9:39 pm
Terrible game today. This team will get nowhere in the playoffs. They are just too inconsistent.
bigdawg
December 30th, 2012
9:40 pm
Win in the playoffs! Nothing else matters! It hasn’t mattered since the NYG knocked us out 51 weeks ago! The Falcons did what they had to do in the season. Now, WIN!!!!
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:40 pm
I hope so too, dawgnole, but i already have a growing sick feeling….
If not in two weeks, in three.
It’s what we do.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
Amen, bigdawg!
You by any chance a gator fan?
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:41 pm
The thing is, they don’t have to be… Get real about the offensive and d-lines, and realize that actually protecting or attacking the other team with superior force means something… This franchise has never gotten that… They had the makings of a great O-line once (early 80s) and screwed the pooch by not addressing the D-line… Sad
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:22 pm
Hillbilly, i must agree but the cleveland part is the real true reason….
Our only hope this year is to play the Brown’s in the super bowl…
We’re doomed.
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:23 pm
Browns…..
____________________
Glad you fixed that. You had me disillusioned there for a moment.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:44 pm
If you know Adam, David, Mark, Pam or Tina, then we’ve crossed paths most likely… Macon’s like that… Just drop me a line in August…
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:45 pm
Brown’s…..
Moronic
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:46 pm
I’ll do it…
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:48 pm
The Texans clearly have no heart either since they lost today….
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:50 pm
Superior force? no running game and what they do have is stopped they have to go thru the air………..if not for all the interceptions they would have lost more games on defense which helped them set up the offense on a short field…………..they don’t keep getting interceptions in the playoffs it will be over………………….
Larry
December 30th, 2012
9:50 pm
Ok, Girly Men, state your predictions now.
Regardless of the Falcon’s oppnent, I predict the Falcons will win the next game.
Just answer with a “win” or a “loss” (no points, no qualfiers, no excsues) so we can get it on record now who believes in this 13-3 team, who doesn’t, and who deep inside (we know who you are) knows this is a good football team with as good a chance as any in the NFC but want the Falcons to lose because of their personal insecurities and/or agendas (JSS).
Win
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
9:52 pm
doomsday
okeetee
December 30th, 2012
9:53 pm
Ok, here’s the bottom line: we’ve won some big road games this year, including that win in Tampa! We’ve won some big home games this year, Denver, Giants, N.O. and we lost one meaningless game at home to end up 7-1 at home! What happen today was mystifying to say the least…..coach wanted to win, players seem to just want to get to the bye week! Some players wanted to win badly, but when your offensive line isn’t one of them you can get your quarterback killed when your playing tackle football! None of our offensive skilled players got hurt so that’s the good news. Losing our best sack man? Not good. But it is what it is. We will, in all probability have a rookie quarterback coming into our house for this first playoff game. Advantage….Falcons!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:53 pm
This 13-3 team will win their first playoff game in years in two weeks………………
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:54 pm
And “no still means no.” Somebody has a problem with boundaries!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
9:57 pm
Nothing more “insecure” than an adult unable to understand the word: “No!”
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
9:58 pm
This Team put a beat down on the Giants a couple of weeks ago……………you can’t call in the cards on them after today’s ballgame……….I see a different ball club on the field in the playoffs
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
9:58 pm
This franchise has never gotten that… They had the makings of a great O-line once (early 80s) and screwed the pooch by not addressing the D-line… Sad
——-
You mean drafting every White-boy D-linemen from the Big 8 wasn’t sound drafting??
Rick Bryan, Tony Casillas, Mike Gann. They weren’t the most talented guys(Casillas the exception), butt boy they sure hustled!!
phil
December 30th, 2012
9:59 pm
Win
zbulldawg
December 30th, 2012
9:59 pm
What the hell is going on with this team ? Smith does understand that we are the number one seed in the playoffs RIGHT ? And you might just need to get some backups some playing time. It’s sudden death time now. I Smith’s ego don’t get in the team’s way.He’s failed 3 times to get his team ready for playoff action. This might be his last chance. Mr. Blank isn’t going to put up with any BS this time. You have got the team NOW it’s on you big boy.
phil
December 30th, 2012
10:00 pm
And before I forget, Happy New Year!
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:00 pm
Larry — I’m predicting a Win over Minnesota.
Finklestein
December 30th, 2012
10:05 pm
Whoop dee do! Won the NFC South which has a bunch of bad teams. Now that’s really something to brag about! Playing the regulars today was pretty stupid. Playing the regulars and then losing to the Bucs was bad, real bad. These Falcons won’t go far in the playoffs (typical for Georgia teams).
Larry
December 30th, 2012
10:06 pm
Some some courage, JSS. A win or a loss?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:06 pm
More like happy Higher Taxes to pay……………………………
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:07 pm
Gann (just happened to be from Okie) went to ND, but they reached a lot… Casillas was a player, just not a first round player… As my cousins called the Falcons D-lines: “Tiny Bubbles” when they played…
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:10 pm
@ Crimson…
Why did you conveniently forget Mike Pitts?
rhetttt
December 30th, 2012
10:11 pm
Whoa! A coach never wants to convey it is alright to lose. When players go less than full speed they have a very high risk of getting hurt. Vanilla plays were called on offense and defense so as to not give awa any new wrinkles, nor core plays.
Atlanta will probably play to win afer this loss, as opposed to playing “not-to-lose”. Smith’s psychology seems right on.
Time will tell.
Larry
December 30th, 2012
10:13 pm
Still waiting for the doom and gloom crowd to say it…a win or a loss.
Got balls?
Growler
December 30th, 2012
10:14 pm
So the Falcons get the Sunday, 1pm start in 2 weeks. I wonder if they played themselves out of prime time today?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:16 pm
I don’t think neither the skins or the girls want to win tonight since they see what is lined up in front of them in the playoffs……..redskins seem to be trying to lose and the girls seem to be trying to stay the 7th seed…………
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:17 pm
Pitts is one of the few Tide to play a large chunk of his career with the Falcons.
Here’s hoping Julio starts a new successful trend.
That’s right — Gann was a golden domer.
Minnisota Fats
December 30th, 2012
10:17 pm
Stop talking and start chaulking come Jan.13
Larry
December 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
Playoff dates and times are pre set based on seedings.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
Funny, see how many of you come on these blogs and agitate despite people telling you eons ago that you pleas. derisions, and just George Wallace standing in the school door screams are just ignored… Sad… Got brains? Apparently not… I guess that school test of manhood failed again…
gy6
December 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
mike smith=
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:19 pm
Larry………..they don’t matter noways….its the football players on the team that will decide whether they play to win or lose………..I think they break the playoff jinx myself, no matter who they have to play and the NFC title game will be a tough one for whoever is left to come to the Dome.
gy6
December 30th, 2012
10:19 pm
Booby Cox. go falcons and take the braves with you.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:24 pm
RGIII
Growler
December 30th, 2012
10:25 pm
Larry, you are wrong. This is the first time in at least the past 5 seasons that the #1 seed on the network that has the prime time divisional game is not playing that game in prime time. Do your homework.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:26 pm
Crimson…
There’s no doghouse like a Dan Henning doghouse!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:28 pm
This Sunday nite game is just a pitiful,boring one at that…………………..just think in the yesteryears both teams were playoff contenders
j
December 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
After they loose the first round, PLEASE fire Smith and get a better coach. This talent is over his head and he has made too many stupid coaching decisions this season.
Larry
December 30th, 2012
10:31 pm
George Wallace? LOL.
No worries, JSS, you have two black (one half black, I guess) QB’s and one black Head Coach for you to cheer for in the playoffs so you still have at least one more week to tell us once again to “kiss my black azz.”
How sad is an individual who abandons his roots and Falcon team because his idol, a black QB, was sentenced to prison and Aurther Blank didn’t hire a black Head Coach to replace Mora. We get it, JSS, so just go away!
Now say it, girly man, a “win” or a “loss?” Or, are your male anatomical shortcomings preventing you from doing so? I bet you can’t!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:33 pm
Thiesman and the skins…………….White and Too Tall Jones………..John Riggins running back for the skins think its way his name is pronounced………
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:33 pm
Wasn’t Rod Rust running the D when Henning coached here or was it the Swamp Fox?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:34 pm
JSS is a Falcon Fan forevaaaaaaaa………………..and he knows it
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
When Dan Henning was here………..heck I can’t remember who the QB was then…………….hehehehe
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
They brought Marion in to try to save him that last season…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:38 pm
Marion Campbell……………………lol
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:40 pm
Who left Tickets for Elvis?………………..ha ha
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:40 pm
Funny, I love when the littlest dog in yard just keeps barking… And it will always be the one trying to inject things into the moment despite nothing being answered or responded to… If it was MCR, certain members would be screaming bloody murder…
rc35
December 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
Let’s add this thing up. The Falcons needed to make a statement on their way into the playoffs. Here are the statements they made:
1-Against our own division, we’re a .500 team. We do not “own” the Saints, Panthers, or Bucs. In fact, we don’t even look like the same team against them.
2-”Matty Ice” is the most inappropriate nickname in sports. He isn’t cool as ice…he melts in pressure situations. We couldn’t risk him on a QB sneak last week, so we yielded a safety off a deep handoff and almost blew the game. He can’t hit a key pass in crunch time today against a team that had lost six in a row. Maybe “Matty Slush” would be a better name, because you can never tell when he’ll just melt and disappear.
.
3-Our lack of a running game is past ludicrous. The inability to convert a third-and-one makes every drive a soap opera. Will the Falcons be able to make a first down this time, or will they once again find themselves punting on fourth and one? Be sure to tune in next series for “The Young and the Punchless.”
I surely do hope I’m eating a large dish of crow as we watch the confetti fall around Matt Ryan as he accepts his Super Bowl MVP award, but right now, it looks like Tim Tebow will still be one playoff win ahead of our QB when this season ends in two weeks.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:42 pm
Sorry Michael M, that ship is scuttled like the French fleet…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:45 pm
The French have no fleet they depend on everyone else……………………………..it wouldn’t matter
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:46 pm
I always took Herock’s side on the who really wanted to trade Favor fiasco.
Genius move, Glanville.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:47 pm
Henning had multiple QBs dependent on his mental illness that week… Put the final nail in poor Bart trying to turn him into a bootleg counter tray running QB… Then he run cast-offs like Turk Schonert and David Archer out there… It was hilarious in a painful way
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
10:47 pm
C’mon Cowboys!!
Cloudodust
December 30th, 2012
10:49 pm
If the Falcons were playing next weeekend, I’d agree the starters needed a bit of a rest. As it is with a week off, they gotta play football. I saw Abraham’s injury and he was going what looked to be full bore (one of few that appeared to do so in this last regular season game). A weeks lay-off can be harmful and here’s to hoping the Falcons live with the bitter taste of defeat at home to a Division rival until their next kickoff in a game that matters.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:49 pm
Sunday Jan 13th at 1 p.m. the Falcons will play the first playoff game against who …unknown. Watching the news Abe didn’t look like he got hurt too bad…………………….
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:50 pm
Henning always needs a strong personality to reel him in Joe Gibbs and John Fox…
Larry
December 30th, 2012
10:50 pm
Growler,
Today: NFC sets playoff schedule
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/30/nfl-announces-playoff-schedule/
Now, go get in you bed, puppy!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
10:56 pm
@ Crimson…
John Marshall was Henning’s DC the first 3 seasons… He ended up being the DC for Holmgren on the Super Bowl run in Seattle
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
10:56 pm
Falcons will win their first playoff game under Matt Ryan in two weeks fellas in a game all the players will give 100 percent……not like today’s performance in a game that didn’t matter and the players knew it too and we got the results…………..I said they wouldn’t beat the Bucs two weeks ago …….. and go 13-3, they win the first playoff game after that only the Shadow knows……………lmfao
AtlJack
December 30th, 2012
11:02 pm
Coach Smith is a nice man and he has more wins than any other Falcons coach.
But we should have seen all the backup players the entire game.
Abraham might be lost for the playoffs. Robinson may have a concussion.
And Ryan could easily have been hurt on that play where the defender grabbed his throwing arm.
Simple strategy. A team who can’t play if they sit for a week is not much of a team. But the Falcons can’t win without Ryan and probably can’t without Abraham.
Dumb move playing the starters.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
11:02 pm
Not dead yet!!
Will Rob Ryan’s D make a stop?
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
11:06 pm
I turned that ballgame off………………it was just so boring. Yups, was dumb playing the starters all through the game but they was playing to win or Smitty was anyways
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
11:08 pm
Lets hope nobody gets out acting a fool and get locked up over this new years fiasco to celebrate higher taxes and food prices……………………..stay home Falcon players !
Yep
December 30th, 2012
11:12 pm
Don’t get your hopes up. …..
JSS
December 30th, 2012
11:14 pm
When has staying home helped Falcons players? Turner’s girlfriend Babs incident…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
11:16 pm
next up………….JSS
Looks like its the Packers vs the Vikings and the Seahawks vs Redskins
Stepchild
December 30th, 2012
11:17 pm
Mike Smith strikes again!
Big C
December 30th, 2012
11:17 pm
Damn…Mike Smith wouldn’t have gotten the approval either way. I think he di the right thing. Smitty, if y’all lose the first game, I still think you did the right thing!!! You can never make evryone happy, but I know you’re a great coach, and the Falcons orginization is blessed to have you! Dirty Birds all the way!!!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
11:23 pm
Take the Vikings and the Seabuzzards next week to win…………………………..
Tommy Maddox
December 30th, 2012
11:24 pm
What another badly played game. I don’t blame Smith for keeping in the first line since they were playing so badly. However you can’t help but blame him for a game that blew in so many ways. How disappointing.
Big C
December 30th, 2012
11:24 pm
Damn…Mike Smith wouldn’t have gotten the approval from Falcons fans either way. I think he did the right thing. Smitty, if y’all lose the first game, I still think you did the right thing!!! You can never make everyone happy, but I know you’re a great coach, and the Falcons orginization is blessed to have you! Dirty Birds all the way!!!!!
You fake ass Atlanta fans can eat garbage and puke. I would like to say worse, but I can’t because of the AJC.
I have experienced your phony ass love when I was at GT back in 1990. We didn’t need your Fairweathered love, and neither do the Falcons! Win it all despite your terrible home grown fans!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
11:34 pm
Playoff football, not for the faint of heart…
Only 4 of the 12 teams going to the playoffs rushed for less than 100 yards today… Guess who?
john
December 30th, 2012
11:37 pm
Every team played there starters whether they needed to or not—get over it, if they had rested we would be saying he should have played them.
Jimmie
December 30th, 2012
11:39 pm
The Seahawks are coming!!!
flatsdawg1
December 30th, 2012
11:43 pm
All can say is if you are a head coach in any league, your goal is to win and when your team has a good shot at a championship, protect that. I don’t agree with Smith leaving them in there but of course you want to win every game, I just thought it was a given and common sense to me to play them a half and let your backups get all the time they can.I honestly had hoped they would all play a quarter. They looked like they thought they should be on the sideline because Tampa opened up a can on them. Looks like we need a couple of really good backups now. Stuff happens and hopefully we will get one of them back at least, but with a loss and two key guys out I think this home field advantage is huge not to mention the bye!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
11:50 pm
Washington-Seattle is going to be a war… They both do things that other team has issues with… The Skins better get that punting game taken care of, that is the Seahawks wheel house! I’m interested in seeing if Lynch can have the success that eluded Peterson in DC…
Michael M.
December 31st, 2012
12:00 am
lol at Smitty………………………
Dwayne C
December 31st, 2012
12:17 am
@ Kugs : so you think the fan base is to blame for the Atlanta Falcons failing to win a playoff game in their last three tries?
You must also believe in the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy and Santa Clause. Good luck living with this and all those other delusions inside your cranium.
ATL Observer
December 31st, 2012
12:17 am
I’m glad the starters were out there and I’m glad they lost.
This team couldn’t afford to not know how meaningless the previous 15 games were once the divisional game is whistled in. And they certainly now know the previous 15 games were meaningless in determining who won today.
MTSeats
December 31st, 2012
12:19 am
What does the fan base get paid? I didn’t get my check.
Larry White
December 31st, 2012
12:22 am
What kind of a feeling are we supposed to have about this? “Play to win”, and yet you’re not prepared? Whomever comes calling on the 13th will whip our butts, unless some OL folks show up.
Smitty
December 31st, 2012
12:28 am
This original smitty and I think it was a lose lose scenario
macaac
December 31st, 2012
12:33 am
Playoff prediction: Looks like another 1 and done for the Falcan’ts
Michael M.
December 31st, 2012
12:34 am
Falcons will show up in the playoffs…………….we whip ourselves sometimes…………… good grief
jeff george
December 31st, 2012
12:42 am
Should have rested the starters until the playoffs. My 2 cents.
Whopper Dawg
December 31st, 2012
12:50 am
“We’ve got two weeks. That’s why we play these 16 games, to get that bye. There’s a big advantage not having to line up in six or seven days and go play in the second season.”
If that is true and that is a Smith quote, then a bigger advantage is to not play the starters all game vs TB.
I think he is melting down, he did last year against the Giants, he is against this year against everyone. The 0 – 3 is in his head, who knows where he goes from here.
BirdMan
December 31st, 2012
1:35 am
how can you expect ATL to get up for a terrible team like tampa, when they have home field locked up? they were just flat. In the playoffs, ATL will be on fire—rolling to the super bowl–book it!
fanbase
December 31st, 2012
1:58 am
it was the fans fault for the bad game against tampa—there was no noise, no juice. the players played flat because of quiet fans. the fans better bring it big in the playoffs.
Charles Jackson
December 31st, 2012
2:44 am
The issue isn’t who played but how. And the Falcons looked flat. This is not a playoff team.
Truth
December 31st, 2012
2:47 am
Falcns season will be over shortly!!!
hop
December 31st, 2012
5:02 am
MARK,You are so correct in challenging the thought process of Mike Smith!
abe has experience many close calls with the Injury bug and he ,Ryan and others to battle this BUG should played only a limited time today!
We really don’t the status of our injured corners or ABE! If it is more serious than smitty thinks , our playoff experience will be limited again ,as it has been previously!
What a waist of time if we have our key players hurt so bad that we lose once again!
what a shame that will be,but not a real surprise for this team!
Happy New year 2013 everyone
December 31st, 2012
5:55 am
Its funny why no one complain’s Denver played there starters till 4th quarter with 38-3 lead and remove for 2nd string why no one blastin Denver coach too…Here what wrong Turner lost his spark Matt Ryan was easy rattled i hate see who we play Jan13 if they seen how the Bucs did us in we in deep horse poo…..And if Matt ryan fails again Mike Smith should be Fired after that and find a coach who can win for Us….I sorry way we played I hope wrong we done n gone..If we get behind by 21pts the Georgia dome will look like a high school crowd of seats….so athur blank is up to you decide super bowl are Fire Mlke smith if he fails….after all can’t fire the whole team only person is in charge the head coach!
Samuel
December 31st, 2012
6:21 am
I don’t want to be a monday morning quarterback. It was the coaches call and I can live with that. Being said that, if both are healthy come playoff time and the Falcons win their first playoff game. All will be forgotten.
Admiral Obvious
December 31st, 2012
6:55 am
If the Falcons go one and done again Mike Smith’s job next to be the line for next season. At this point no one believes in this team.
Esquire
December 31st, 2012
7:08 am
Abraham got up slow on a previous play earlier in the game and I thought we needed him out of there then. Ryan’s a tough guy but I still thought he should have been sat down after the half or 3rd quarter.
The Falcons defense were sleepwalking in that game, the motor’s were just above idle.
Buzzman
December 31st, 2012
7:30 am
The big test comes in two weeks, either we are a good team or just another team like we have been in the past. Go Falcons, make a believer out of me….
jfreak13713
December 31st, 2012
7:31 am
I’m okay with playing the starters the full game. I probably would have played them the first half then reseted them but I’m not an NFL head coach for good reason. No harm no foul time to move and focus on playoffs!
Great Season Falcons!!!
jerry
December 31st, 2012
7:38 am
Smitty is cagey like a fox, running Turner up the middle 200 times to give the receivers some rest for the playoffs. What a coach!!!!!!!!!!
Iluvnutella
December 31st, 2012
7:46 am
I think Smith will turn out to be the Bobby Cox of the NFL. Several analysts rate him mediocre at best when it comes to game time decisions. And is it me, or does Ryan l;ook really clumsy when he runs….Im talkin dork clumsy…really clumsy. Revenge of the Nerds clumsy.
Nativebird
December 31st, 2012
7:46 am
Too bad this “decision” of Mike Smith is getting lost in the real issue of the day: we lost to the Bucs, at home, when we were TRyING to win!!!
I was there….and this was SAD. Worst effort, worst game plan, worst execution by this team and coaching staff of the year. Way to go Mike Smith! Nothing like d
jerry
December 31st, 2012
7:46 am
It is not about what happened. It is about the risk he took (great) and the good he could have achieved (none) and the possible reward (humongous).
Nativebird
December 31st, 2012
7:50 am
Mike Smith is just not good enough to get this team to the next level. You state your playing to win, then you come out there and lay an egg like that to on the worst teams in your conference? At home? This guy just doesn’t have it. Nice guy, decent football coach…..but it takes more than that at this level.
GameTime
December 31st, 2012
8:01 am
The Falcons are the worst NFL #1 seed that I can remember! Another playoff fiasco coming up!
GameTime
December 31st, 2012
8:07 am
With regard to Coach Smith’s decision to play his regulars, he said in his post game presser that “our job is to win football games”. I thought his main goal was to win a championship. Sometimes that means you look at games differently. He was focusing on the “battle” Sunday and may have lost the “war” – what little chance the Falcons have of winning that! He’s been around long enough to know that. Pretty weak rationale on the Coach’s part.
BigGTMike
December 31st, 2012
8:08 am
They probably would have only played the first half if they hadn’t stunk up the joint and LOST.
4DaBirds
December 31st, 2012
8:17 am
Sure are a lot of overreacting, think their a doctor, know everything about football types here.
Abe will be fine. All is not lost. Quit acting like you know something, because you don’t know sh!t.
Rabid Bird
December 31st, 2012
8:20 am
The NFL is a tough league. For all of you gripers please take a page out of Mike Tomlin’s playbook. Injuries happen. The next man has to step up and fill the void. In my opinion that is why the Falcons have not had the success they could have due to playing not to lose. I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Kenn a few years ago about the heartbreaking loss to Dallas in the 1980 Divisional Championship game.He said they begged Leeman Bennett to keep passing to crush the Cowboys. He refused and the rest is history. Mike Smith knows the history and is trying to change the culture. Play to win every game (even the meaningless ones) because every game is important to teams with a winning attitude. Go Falcons!
falconfanriseup
December 31st, 2012
8:22 am
You Falcons fans are tripping and making me laugh.
What are yall worried about? Yes Smith played starters but did not show anything on offense or Defense. We were flat because WE HAD NOTHING TO PLAY FOR. Don’t worry when it’s time to play Smith and the coaches will pull out the playbook and the Players will play. Chill out lol.
TCB7285
December 31st, 2012
8:25 am
Optimistic about playoffs, but the play calling just concerns me. Why did Coach Smith stop running the ball? Turner was having success yesterday that went away from it…They did not go deep enough times Sunday…O’Ronde Barber is washed up we should have burnt him over & over!.My fingers are crossed.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
8:28 am
“he said in his post game presser that “our job is to win football games”. I thought his main goal was to win a championship”
**************************************
Game Time, you nailed it! Smith can’t see the forrest for the trees.
Smith is the best in the NFL at “winning games” – in the regular season. But according to Bill Parcells – it’s two completely different seasons. One (reg season) you stick to your philosophy. The other, (post season) you completely open up your offense, because of the quality of the defenses in the playoffs.
Smith hasn’t got that yet – he sticks to his “run, run, pass” offense, and the better Ds shut it down.
It’s sickening, but I predict that his playoff record stays at 100% in two weeks, not matter who we play.
Rabid Bird
December 31st, 2012
8:37 am
And I predict you are wrong Joey. These same Falcons werent supposed to beat Peyton Manning (They did). Couldn’t beat the Saints and Brees (they did). I predict they will get Seattle in the divisional round. Abraham or not these Falcons will win. These Falcons are an evolved species…..
HawksFanSince'89
December 31st, 2012
8:38 am
Middle of the 2nd quarter, they should have sat all the starters, you play for the Playoffs, and to win Super Bowls. Honestly, I think that Mike Smith is a good coach, but he over-thinks, when he is placed in tough situations, which is leading me to think he may not win a Super Bowl with the Falcons, or with any other team. When you close, tough, tight, or close Playoff games, coaching is ALWAYS THE KEY FACTOR IN WINS OR LOSES.
MG
December 31st, 2012
8:43 am
Know we’re stuck with MT33 for this year, but what about going after Michael Bush from CHI or Knowshon Moreno from DEN for next season. Both guys are relatively young and at times look very good running the ball. Any other RB suggestions ?
Rabid Bird
December 31st, 2012
8:45 am
As you train for battle is how you will perform on the battlefield – General Vuono
Do you see New England or any other team laying down before the playoffs? No because they have a winning mindset. I think the fans are just as culpable in this negative equation. Support the team and let’s see what they can do. All this negative stuff does nothing but add unneeded pressure. The team knows what is required.
As for the Falcons’ game itself: It was pretty crummy, too | Mark Bradley
December 31st, 2012
8:49 am
[...] This post is an adjunct to the game column, which can be found by clicking here. [...]
Carl
December 31st, 2012
8:54 am
So Coach, why do you think the Falcons lost in the first round. Why it was due to playing with injured players. Yep, at least they have a reason to lose in the first round now…why would you play all your first string players the entire game that does not matter? I guess this is coaching at it’s best and they say they need a new stadium…win a super bowl first.
beebee
December 31st, 2012
9:03 am
Focus on the division round game people. Show up (ticketholders) and make it LOUD!
Don’t frea.king start leaving if/when they fall behind!
Even if they are to ose the game as time runs out, stay and CHEER YOUR TEAM! MAKE AN IMPRESSION FANS!
Stop your whining, you who whine!
Maybe, for once, YOU can make a difference!
georgiavol
December 31st, 2012
9:09 am
What a total choke job by Smith. Whatever he said during the week leading up to the game, the players didn’t buy in to it. Ryan looked terrible out there, repeatedly throwing to the wrong receiver. And will SOMEBODY please bench Turner? Yack!
Sanjeev
December 31st, 2012
9:14 am
The Packers went 2-2 to reach the playoffs in December and the Giants 3-2 (one Jan game). So there is no proof about “being hot” going into the playoffs. The Colts rested Peyton instead of trying for 16-0 and lost a few games and won the SB. It’s a toss up what’s going to happen.
Sam the Sham
December 31st, 2012
9:15 am
I love the Falcons. However, there is no way they make it past round 1 with play like yesterday. This was the team that lost to Carolina. Only if the team that beat NY shows up do they have any chance at all. But I will love them next year
Soccer!
December 31st, 2012
9:19 am
Well played in regular season Falcons but your season ends after the next game.
Arthur Blank is such a nice guy but he deserves better.
The new stadium should be somewhere in Gwinnett county,away from the ghetto.
That will improve the fan base and the superBowl chances.
Well done for a great Regular season Falcons!!
jaz
December 31st, 2012
9:20 am
Looks to me like Coach didn’t want his players sitting on a couch all Sunday so he thought he would let them play til they showed they had their act together. By the fourth qtr they hadn’t and in the meantime a couple of our guys got hurt. I would guess that he had expected to have the 3rd team in there playing in the second qtr, but it was not to be. From a coach’s standpoint, it’s a no-win situation.
Joey
December 31st, 2012
9:24 am
I hope you are the correct prognosticator, Rabid Bird.
It’s a shame that Ryan has this streak hung around his neck, when it should be around Smith’s.
Smith is gonna have to go against his instincts and turn Ryan and his great receivers loose.
William
December 31st, 2012
9:40 am
Whatever .. in the next to last game of the year, gotta play to win.
1 and done … again.
baddaytoquitsmokin
December 31st, 2012
9:59 am
I REALLY wish I didn’t have such a bad feeling about how deep into the playoffs this team will go. I believe their best chance of winning would be against Green Bay — another team without a dominant running game — but they won’t get Green Bay unless it’s for the NFC championship. The possible opponents in Game 1 for the Falcons all have effective, punishing runners and will control the clock; and their defenses are more than capable of forcing three-and-outs against a finesse team like Atlanta. If Minn beats GB, they won’t even have to change their game plan for ATL. If Wash is the opponent, ATL will have to deal with Alfred Morris (ugh). If Seattle wins — and I predict they will — well… Seattle is the team that scares me most against ATL. I’ll be pulling for the Vikings (oh no! Adrian Peterson!).
Ron
December 31st, 2012
10:28 am
Smith did makes lots of sounds – Like a person gagging and choking !
Who Dat
IJustDontGetIt
December 31st, 2012
11:52 am
Playing the starters or not… Momentum?? NOT!! 3 of 14 on 3rd down conversions, most of which were 3rd and short!! There’s is much work to do!! Just saying… Falcons RISE UP!!!
phil
December 31st, 2012
1:44 pm
We’re doomed….
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Please and I beg PLEASE put this in perspective. Yes we wanted to win, did not! Did not play well. Two games this season we lost we showed no sense of urgency but guys please slow up! This was the same doom and gloom talk before the Giants game. Smitty tried to prove a point and it backfired yesterday. But please slow down the talk of season over! Alot of these same doom and Mayan talk about our season are the same folks who said wait until we play Seattle. Wrong again. Wont see Seattle unless they in the NFC. And if anything is shown from yesterdays game it also shows that that mighty Green Bay many of you speak of got beat by anither Division rival. And they have to see AP another 35 times……good luck with that! I am a FIRM believer that we will go on a 3 game winning streak! Our season says we have done it and I am a believer we will do it again! Calm down bloggers! Who amongst you thought we would be the #1 seed? From all of the talk on these blogs this year many of you kicked dirt on us from game 1 to game 16. I ask that you believe a little and stop with the doomsday ending of our season. If you part of the Rise Up Nation, dont bash but pick up the team even though we played bad yesterday. Trust me, would have been nice to win and that type of play yesterday was not acceptable, but watch how we prepare and get ready for the biggest game of the year. We played ourselves into the position of having the opportunity to stink it up yesterday! And stink it up we did, but the Rise Up is coming! Just stay positive and be ready! Ask Houston how it feels to go from being the #1 seed to having to play the first week of the playoffs. Ask Green Bay how it feels to have everything to play for to get a bye to being abused by AP. These things happen to the best of teams! We earned the right to have the #1 seed! Losing is tough and I hate it but sometimes you get your a$$ kicked and you deal with it! 3 loses this year all in the division! Come in Nation respect that we earned this opportunity to get healthy and prepare for someone to come here…be it Green Bay after 34 more doses from AP or be it Minnesota after AP has to touch it 34 more times! Rise Up Nation dont beat the home team down!
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
3:13 pm
Or you can prepare for a bad leg RGIII or a Seattle team that loses on the road! Get ready, the Falcons will be! And o yea, FYI, can someone tell me the last time we lost back-to-back games? Prespective! Rise up!!!!!
Joey
December 31st, 2012
4:39 pm
Oh hell, forget the game yesterday! It means nothing.
What’s gonna get us beat in the playoffs is the offensive philosophy of our head coach, who showed us what is in store for us in a couple of weeks. If the Bucs can dominate us, what will a playoff team do?
Run, run, pass will not win one, single, playoff game in the NFL.
But, hey, Mike Smith has won a lot of games.
Just none after regular season . . .
Falcon Guano
December 31st, 2012
6:07 pm
We look pretty weak lately.
Looks like Tony G NEVER gets a ring.
DawgNole
January 1st, 2013
7:40 pm
Rabid Bird
December 31st, 2012
8:20 am
Play to win every game (even the meaningless ones) because every game is important to teams with a winning attitude.
________________________
Exactly! Shocking how few people on these blog understand that.
crowmeat
January 2nd, 2013
11:31 am
Birds SUCK..Even though they are 13-3……Possibly the worst 13-3 team Ever! One & done!