Live from Falcons-Bucs: A mighty tough game to manage
Were I coaching, this Falcon stalwart would do a lot of watching in Game 16. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Mike Smith, who coaches the Falcons, says he’s playing to win Game 16, even though Game 16 means absolutely nothing. The Falcons know when (two weeks hence) and where (here) they’ll be playing next, and they know they don’t have to leave town to qualify for the Super Bowl.
As much as you can say that winning sets a tone, I’d suggest that tone has been sounded in Games 1-15. And there’s no compelling history on whether winning a Game 16 that doesn’t matter makes one smidgen of difference come the playoffs.
In 2007 the Patriots won their final regular-season game to get to 16-0 … but a month later they lost the Super Bowl to the team they’d beaten in Game 16. Last year the Packers won Game 16 behind their backup quarterback Matt Flynn to get to 15-1 … and lost their first postseason game.
If the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 45-24 today — that was the score in Game 16 last season, whereupon the Falcons went to the Meadowlands for the playoffs and lost 24-2 — it will make no different when next the Birds play. That game will matter. This one doesn’t. Me, I’d probably play the starters a half and let the JV’s finish, but that’s just me. And Mike Smith hasn’t dropped a hint as to his plans.
Whatever happens, I’ll be here to observe and report, and I’d appreciate your company. And let me wish one and all a belated Merry Christmas and a heartfelt Happy New Year.
By Mark Bradley
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1,049 comments Add your comment
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
And oh yeah, 38-20 Titans, the real “coach killer” Bob Bratkowski will be looking work
Falcon Flap
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Im just in.disbelief at what we were trying to accomplish today..lol…maybe we are trying to get other teams overconfident. We better of not lost abe!!!
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
4:09 pm
Falcons were 3 & 3 in the South this Year.
Thankfully, the NFL only allows 6 Division Games!!
_______________________________________________________________
The Falcons won 3 divisions this year, The NFC South, NFC East, and AFC West
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Best record in the NFC and I still say Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo after the dropped balls and lack of intensity today…………………………………………..
tell the truth
December 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Bucs pressured Ryan all day- he didn’t handle well at all.
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
I am gone…..some really stupid people posting some really stupid things on here. Jeeezzzzzz. This was a meaningless game.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
As long as we see the team that played Detroit and the Giants I could care less about today.
ctfalconsfan
December 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
I question Mike Smith..
If you don’t want/care about winning fine, then pull your starters.
When Tampa had the ball 1st and Goal at the end of the game we could have used all 3 of our TO forced TB to kick a FG. We would get the ball back down by 8.. Not great but we have a chance..
Also at the end of the first half we run the clock down to 5 seconds instead of calling a TO with 30-40 sec left and then going for it on 4th down if you make it you have time to move the ball into FG range. If you don’t make 4th down you give the ball back to TB with little time left and no TO..
I like Smitty but he’s no Sean Payton or Bill Belichick
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
FalconUGAfan = kingdaddy
Making up names to praise himself…..sad and pathetic
Timmy
December 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
I’d feel better about the Falcons if I had amnesia ..,
Bleed red
December 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
Amen NFC CHAMPS we will be ready
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
Robert
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
In mike smiths 5 years have we ever had a pass rush besides Abe?
———
I’ll take that one — NO
Todd grantham
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Hey Smitty
Said blank
As loss is a loss
And your coaching sure stank
And as long as I’m boss
I’ll still speak quite frank
And say Smitty
Today’s effort was pretty ……bad
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Carolina beat the Caints 44- 31………………..lol
majordawg
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
I am convinced that Atlanta sports fans are the worse sports fans in America….at least concerning pro sports. Your Falcons have the best record in the NFC…..do you people not understand that?
You sir, are an idiot. Nothing to gain, Abraham injured, Samuel and Robinson dinged up, Ryan at risk, the O-line looking absolutely awful. You take a SERIOUS confidence hit. Give me ONE reason this was a good move today? I’m not talking about the other 15 games. I’m talking about today. Today was utterly idiotic. I’m not ready to fire Smith, by any stretch, but the guy could not have made a worse decision today. If today was a test, he gets a GIANT F!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
kingdaddy, worked on my dog… As far as for your lack of a “sarcasm” node, nope there’s no cure for that…
Enjoy your two weeks of hoping and praying!
FalconUGAFan
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Hey I caught a troll fish…Phil!
Naw not Kingdaddy, just little ole me….
Todd grantham
December 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
Think about it.
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:15 pm
Trying to find the word inspirted in dictionary, but having no luck.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:16 pm
playmeortrademe
December 30th, 2012
3:47 pm
If Falcons lose the first playoff game, we will look back on this game as the beginning of the end of Mike Smith’s tenure as Falcons head coach. People are not going to get over losing Abe for the playoffs in a meaningless game.
________________
So we’ve already lost him for the playoff game two weeks from now? How’d you find out so quickly?
Eric
December 30th, 2012
4:17 pm
Have to agree about Smith. He’s an excellent coach who will always have consistently good teams. But he absolutely lacks that extra intangible that champion coaches have and I don’t really see us getting further than the first or second round of the playoffs EVER under him. Of course that begs the question: Are we really that upset that we make it to the playoffs every year but never win? I mean, I’ve seen this team go 40+ years without back to back winning seasons so to at least have a chance every year sure beats the alternative. I just wish we could make the moves in the post season that other coaches do to bring home a championship to Atlanta. No other city deserves it more IMO….
SouthernDem
December 30th, 2012
4:17 pm
Smitty is a regular season coach. With no playoff wins in his record, its easy to understand why he thinks it makes sense to risk the lives of his best players in a meaningless game.
Smitty’s coaching ability is very limited. He’s the same coach that oversaw last year’s 24-2 debacle, the 48-21 disgrace a year before and that upset in Arizona a few years before that The truth is, Smitty is not a championship caliber coach. Its as simple as that. His wisdom has been in doubt more than once over the years.
We have the players. The fans are all-in for the team. And we have two new, highly proven coordinators. So who is to blame? Look no further than Smitty.
Today, once again, the whole country got to see why the head coach is probably the biggest impediment to the Falcons reaching the next level.
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:17 pm
Jimmy Johnson was scratching his head too with starters playing so long.
majordawg
December 30th, 2012
4:17 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
I am gone…..some really stupid people posting some really stupid things on here. Jeeezzzzzz. This was a meaningless game.
I think John Abraham might think otherwise, at this point. Your post is exactly the reason everyone here is so pissed. If you can’t see that, YOU are stupid.
okeetee
December 30th, 2012
4:17 pm
“But we don’t need a three week mental layoff. Do you guys not understand that a three week mental layoff means sure doom? Nevermind. Of course you don’t.”
…too bad Abrahamson is going to need more than 3 weeks to heal that ankle…and now we are without our best pass rusher in the playoffs….and that’s sure DOOM! I’m beginning to think that Smith might get fired over his bonehead decision to play these clowns the whole game! If we get MCHammered in that first playoff game at home, somebodies head is going to roll! We should have played our starters one series and then pulled them ALL OUT! Play to win the game…..with your second stringers!!!
vesaversa
December 30th, 2012
4:18 pm
If Coach Smith wanted to prove a point in this game well he did just that . Smith prove that he is the dumbest coach in the NFL he manage to let his best pass rusher get hurt and on top of that his best corner . Please fire this Dumb ass man .
Bull Butter
December 30th, 2012
4:18 pm
This team will be one and done in the playoffs!To leave your starters in the whole game when the game doesn’t mean anything, is just dumb! now 2 starters are out!
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
4:18 pm
Poor Minnesota fans,
Their playoff lives are in the hands of Mr. Samantha Steele
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
4:18 pm
Phil
LOL, just one more poster that thinks you’re a putz loser. You never answered my question dipstick. Why do you even hang around? Just to cry like a little girl???
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:18 pm
Here we go calling for the Coach’ s head already………………lets wait n see how the playoffs go, this game didn’t mean anything other than 14-2…………………………….but Boooooooooooooooooooooo anyway……………………..
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
very dissapointed in the FALCONS TODAY…BUT I,M STILL EXPECTING BIG THINGS THIS YEAR AND A DIFFERENT TEAM IN 2 WEEKS..I DO BELIEVE THIS IS THE YEAR
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
He is a good coach, but lets his emotions get the best of him. I think he was going to take the starters out after a while, but got mad at them, because of how they were playing and was going to prove a point to them. That didn’t work out too well.
vesaversa
December 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
SouthernDem – Spot on .
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
December 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
so, i guess kroy beirman has to be our top pass rusher ! lord, help us ! the falcons gave these loser and his wife 12 mil ! who recommended him to make this team?!?! stupid ! a total waste of money !! every damn time !!
Timmy
December 30th, 2012
4:20 pm
jlew … look up the word “Colts” and I think you’ll find it.
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
4:22 pm
Jss
with your constant carping, nobody thinks its sarcasm. You and phillip make a cute couple on the blog. Two peas in a pod…
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:22 pm
1990_Champs_GT
December 30th, 2012
3:59 pm
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
3:54 pm
1990_Champs_GT
December 30th, 2012
3:26 pm
I’d take a Super Bowl victory over a loss to day, all day, every day.
_____________________
Well duh! Who wouldn’t? Did you mean a WIN today?
******
Not looking like a win to me. So we lose this game, and potentially lose two starters.
My point is proven.
____________________
Your “point” is that you’d take a Super Bowl win over a loss today. How brilliant. And my point, AGAIN, is “Well duh! Who wouldn’t?”
Would you care to answer that this time?
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
December 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
this…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
Falcons will probably be picked the underdogs even though they have the best record in the NFC and playing at home still, they will more than likely be picked to lose at home to a average team in the playoffs…………………….
Man...
December 30th, 2012
4:25 pm
Abraham was unfortunate, got rolled up on his own man. But don’t make any excuses for Robinson, the guy’s his own downfall, leading with the head won’t help you at all in terms of health. If someone teaches him how to tackle using his arms, we’d be better off. Plus, he can’t cover worth a darn.
playmeortrademe
December 30th, 2012
4:25 pm
Today the Falcons had two options: “lose” in the loss column and go into the playoffs rested and healthy….or “LOSE” by playing starters trying to give meaning to a meaningless game, and getting starters hurt. Well, it was LOSE for the Falcons today because the playoff opponent doesn’t have to game plan for Abraham, the Falcons will have to blitz to get any pressure, and the opposing QB, who will likely be a mobile QB like Griffin or Wilson, will have all day to throw or an open field to run in. I don’t think any other NFL coach past or present plays his starters for the full game like Smith did today.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:26 pm
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:00 pm
Hey DawgNole…
Will your boy TB be touting that Ryan for MVP the next two weeks?
_______________________
Not if Jeff’s on vacation. Those are the only blogs from which he hasn’t been banned.
RB
December 30th, 2012
4:26 pm
If Smitty loses in the Playoffs (because of his dumb decisions), He’ll go home, look in the mirror as see BOBBY COX!!!!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
You know if the Falcons lose the game in two weeks they will be the laughing stock of the NFL……………………………………………………………..
blackandwhitestripes
December 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
Just can’t see this team getting through the first round. Not a very good secondary plus the D line can not pass rush.
Mike
December 30th, 2012
4:28 pm
Brilliant! Play your first string offense all game, look like you did against Carolina and then have multiple injuries. Smith is an idiot. It’s sooo obvious this team is gonna lose again. They may squeak by if they luck out and get dallas or washington. But this team is a joke. Jeckyl and Hyde. And when it’s playoff time, we know which one always shows up.
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
4:28 pm
Yeap!!!
SouthernDem
December 30th, 2012
4:28 pm
Getting to the playoffs every year means nothing if the team can’t get to the next level. Its about motivation, its about determination, its about setting goals–and fulfilling them. The mindset of the Falcons coaching staff, remarkably, mirrors that of many fans and Smitty apologists: He gets us to the playoffs every year, so what if we don’t win?
I’m sorry, but winners win Super Bowls. Losers stay at home. The Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys of old stand apart from the rest of the league because they reached their goals. Goals. That word again.
Reeves and Mora got us to a Super Bowl and a championship. Smitty has delivered neither. Do the math folks. Smitty richly deserves to lose his job security status after this latest blunder.
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
4:30 pm
Later haters…
Timmy
December 30th, 2012
4:31 pm
Taking a step back, it was a strange game … the players seemed to recognize that the game didn’t matter but Smith didn’t … not sure what that means …