Falcons

By dirrtybird

October 7, 2005 04:08 PM | Link to this

Let’s be realistic about this. Who really thinks that Schaub can lead us to victory over the 2 time defending World Champs? C’mon now.

By khao$

October 7, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

Vick needs to step up. I don’t like how he’s been sounding in the media. To paraphrase him, “…if my 85% will hurt the team, I’m not playing.” His 85% is better than many players in the league at 100%, let alone our backup. Brett Favre has come through in moments like this where it was a big game and he was hurt. McNabb has. People call Vick the “Jordan of the NFL”. Jordan has done it. When their physical attributes were limited, they stepped up their mental approach. The read defenses. They made more accurate passes. They trusted that their teammates would compensate for their shortcomings. Vick might lose some of his mobility, but he has to trust what he has in his arsenal. This might be the game where he has to prove that he can sit in the pocket. Bottomline is, he needs to step it up and not be timid about the injury. He has to realize that if my legs can’t do it, my arm and HEAD will have to. This game is important on too many levels. These are the Super Bowl champs. Brady is already riling his team up to play. He’s made his statement. Will Vick make one Sunday?

By larry w.

October 7, 2005 05:24 PM | Link to this

khao$, I can understand your concern. We are in the midst of some very tough games, and we need our star players to step to the forefront. However, I’m not too concerned about Vick. I think a lot of what’s coming out in the press is just pre-game psychological mind games aimed at keeping the Patriots guessing. I’m pretty confident that we will see Vick starting on Sunday. If he doesn’t start, it will be because he really can’t go. I know that we all are a little leery about someone other than Vick starting for us in a big game. That is quite understandable after 2003. But we are a much improved TEAM now, and I think we can still win this thing with Schaub. Matt is not Mike, but who is? I think Matt can manage the game very well. Stay away from crucial turnovers and do just enough to keep drives alive. Perhaps I am being an optimistic homer, but isn’t that what being a fan is all about?

By jeff

October 7, 2005 06:09 PM | Link to this

Nah, I don’t think you’re being a homer Larry.I like Schuab. He’s going to be a starter in the league I believe.I just think there is a bigger issue surrounding Mike. I remember Dan Reeves and Vick had a tift in 2003 because Dan thought Vick could come back earlier. Vick didn’t think so. He’s said this then and before the Buffalo game; his legs are a major part of his game. That said, in order to fully develop in the NFL, he’s got to be able to win with his arm if the defense takes his legs out through injury or they shut his running down with their scheme. I’m not one of these nuts who believes he should stay in the pocket all of the time. That would be idiotic and it would limit his natural gifts. However,I just want to have the confidence in knowing if he can’t run, he can flip the script and win with his arm. That’s what I want to see out of him. McNabb can win a game running and throwing. I think one downfall in Donovan’s game is he has stopped running. But, he proved he could win throwing. I want Vick to show us that he can do it either way. I think he has the smarts to read a defense and get the ball to the receiver. In essence, this game could be a major step in the education of Michael Vick. As a leader on the offensive side of the ball, I want to hear him say, “My leg is hurt, but I’m ready, I’m more than a runner.” I don’t want to hear him say “…if my 85% will hurt the team [I’ll sit].” Like I said, Jordan, Favre, the Patriots team as a whole achieved greatness by rising above the odds. It’s time to see Vick do the same on Sunday.

By Jim

October 7, 2005 06:40 PM | Link to this

My thinking is … if you are a football player, you got to expect to be banged up, sore, less than 85% even, but you have to gut it out, get on with it or get out of the game if you can’t take the punishment. Go play volleyball instead … quit being a baby! You are getting paid millions to perform and sitting down every time you take a hard hit is not performing. Get it on or give it up!

By pat

October 7, 2005 06:51 PM | Link to this

M VICK IS A GREAT QB HOWEVER MATT IS VERY WELL QUALIFIED TO BE A STARTER IN THE NFL, HE IS NO VICK BUT AN INTELLIGENT PLAYER GOOD LUCK FALCONS WHOEVER STARTS, MATT IS MATT.

By William Kitchens

October 7, 2005 07:03 PM | Link to this

Good points by khao$ but I really think Vick has matured way beyond 2003 and would love a chance to shut the national media up with his arm.

I really think the whole thing with Vick’s knee is smoke and mirrors anyway. I really do not believe Vick will sit on the bench come 1:00 P.M Sunday.

Either way the Falcons are gonna run the ball down the Pats throat.

And yes dirrtybird Schaubb can hand the football to Dunn and Duckett and watch them plow and wear down a depleated Pats defense which are only defending world champions in part.

I am not anti Vick by any means, just not anti Schaubb. I think given his limited playing time he is still the best option for the Vickless Falcons if need be.

By larry w.

October 7, 2005 08:48 PM | Link to this

I think William is right on the money. I too think that we will see Vick on Sunday. I also do not believe that if Mike does not play, we are automatically dead. I think Matt can gives us a solid chance to win. Jeff, I agree that Mike has to play at less than a hundred percent sometimes and show some toughness. But I also remember in 2002, Mike played most of that season with injuries to both shoulders and did show that toughness that other quarterbacks like Farve and McNabb have demonstrated. I really beleive that Mike will only sit if he honestly feels that his injury will hurt more than help the team.

By Andrew

October 7, 2005 09:54 PM | Link to this

Not to make Matt Schaub out to be the next anybody, but does anyone recall four years ago when a bigtime quarterback went down, and in stepped a sixth round nobody who took that emerging team to three superbowls in four years? Now Schaub is no Brady, but the team always raves about his skills. The Falcons can run the ball and they play a solid defense that’s only getting better. This team is certainly good enough to win this game when he’s at the healm for a full 60 minutes.

By William Kitchens

October 8, 2005 12:34 AM | Link to this

Andrew is right too… to add to that do you really think Mora and company would have Schaub on this team if he couldn’t live up to their own high expectations?

And watching/reading Mora I really don’t believe he would baby any player, even Vick.

I thought that early last season in preseason, but not anymore.

Mora’s regular season record is now 14-6 as a head coach. God knows what McKay’s is as a GM.

I’ll take their records and combined expierence over fans (including myself) trying to second guess or read into something based on limited facts.

Steve… you want a question?

Tell us how closed practice really is to the public and how obligated the press is not to report any news that might assist the opposition?

Like how many reps Vick might have really had this week?

By Russ

October 8, 2005 02:01 AM | Link to this

Anyone who’s ever graced the grid-iron understands that a leg injury to a quarterback is much different than an upperbody injury.It affects running and throwing because the quarterback has to plant to throw and cut to run.Anyone who was close to the Falcons situation in 2002 knows how tough Mike Vick is. (he played half a season with two,count them!! 2!! seperated shoulders.)The jury is still out on Matt Shaub,he’s looked decent in pre-season and didn’t foul-up a game that was already won last week,but his only start was a 26-13 loss to New Orleans. This team is well rounded enough to win either way,if vick’s knee is really banged up as reported, Mora shouldn’t risk losing him for more games than anticipated.

By Rick

October 8, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

Dear Falcons Forum, I never really thought the letters that I read were real. I always thought you had some group of writers making up these stories until recently. I never thought anything like this would happen to me…………………oppps wrong story.

Falcons win, with or without Vick. Shaub is solid and can do the job.

By larry w.

October 8, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

Russ is correct when he says that a leg injury really limits what a quarterback can do simply because the legs are so important to the mechanics of throwing as well as running. I would much rather see a healthy Schaub than a hurt Vick who cannot do the things that make him special. I know that everyone wants to see Mike play, me included. But if he can’t do what he does, are we really benefiting from him playing. Let’s just trust that Mike and the coaching staff will make the right decision on Sunday.

By FalconW810

October 8, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

When D. Johnson was the backup QB, he was hailed as as one of the smartest young QBs in the game. This honor was bestowed upon him before he even played a regular season game, teams were willing to giveup draft picks for an untested and unproven talent, which was rare for this team. My thoughts were, take the picks or pick, before he is found out, well you know the rest of the story, the Matt Shaub thing is very different. Matt may not be as talented as Brady, but, he sure is a heluva lot more talented Johnson. I enjoy seeing him play and develope, contrary to Johnson, I want teams to see his talent, let’s face it, Matt will have to leave at some point, Vick is only one year older than he is and being the player Matt is, I’m sure he is eyeing a starting position somewhere, at least we will get something in return this time, but for now, this young man can win games.

By FalconW810

October 8, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this

Excuse some left out words. Vick playing or not, I’m always Jacked to watch this team, of course, I’m a bit more jacked when Mike is in the game, but it is still exciting to watch, collision chess with finesse.

By dannycardwell

October 8, 2005 02:51 PM | Link to this

matt is still a young quarterback, a work in progress. he also knows how to read defensive alighnments and change plays. win or lose he will only get better with the experience. i for one dont think for a minute new england is as beat up as everybody claims. we will win this game if we stay with the running game eating up the clock, keeping brady off the field. if we dont keep constant pressure on him the entire game, he will pick us apart. he is that good. our defence will win the game. matt will be fine as long as he doesnt throw in traffic. if he throws the ball out of bounds when there are no open recievers like he did last week, the place will rock all day long. go birds.

By david

October 8, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this

I think these knee injuries tend to be funny things in the NFL. There are ligament tears, sprains, partial tears, etc. If there is evidence that playing in this ONE game, will further damage Mike’s knee, then I would be extremely cautious if I were Mora. I like the idea of Schaub getting some good reps in a game, but not of going through the rest of the season without Mike. That being said, if you can walk around on the sidelines during the game you come out of, then I would say with a week’s rest: Mike will certainly play.

By Falconsbeliever

October 8, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this

Well, Vick has been downgraded to questionable.

I am a huge fan of Vick’s, but until he learns to play with injuries, he’ll never be considered a great “quaterback.”

McNabb played with a BROKEN LEG a few years ago, as did Leftwich (while at Marshall). For those of you who will say that McNabb is more of a pocket passer, he suffered the injury during the time in his career where he was scrambling quite often.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Vick isn’t hurt. However, an MCL sprain is an injury that he can play with. Sure, he wouldn’t be able to run around as much, but he could play and be effective. Culpepper has played with the exact same injury for the past four weeks.

By Eman

October 8, 2005 10:33 PM | Link to this

Vick is not a good nfl QB and he is soft , we need to draft a real QB maybe like his brother. We wast a lot on money on a soft QB . I mean look at at the egales QB he is playing with an injury all season long , he is a real leader. I am so trier of Mike Vick get off our team if your here to just pick up a check. Mike learn how to play QB and maybe you can win games with your arm not feet.

By William Kitchens

October 9, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this

Eman… Get a grip on English grammer and get hold of a dictionary if you want your posts to be taken seriously.

By FalconW810

October 9, 2005 09:25 AM | Link to this

Kitchens, arrest that man!

By KY

October 9, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

If Vick were in prison his nickname would be ‘Creme Puff’

By Eman

October 9, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

listen, what ever your name is ? I am trier of people like you who does not have a life and thinks that they are English teachers. I made a mistake last night, so I do not care but if you have something to say come and see me at stackalot2000@yahoo.com and we can make things happen!!!!

By Shadowfax

October 9, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this

Not only is Eman illiterate, but he is dead wrong about Vick. Anyone who has watched Mike in the past knows he wants to win. Take it from someone who knows, unfortunately, about knee injuries, they can completely take you out of your game. Better to sit a week and make sure he is okay. After watching Matt play well at a moments notice last week, I am sure he can handle the job with a full weeks practice taking snaps with the 1st team. Go Falcons! Falcons by 7

By Jeff

October 9, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this

Shadowfox, it’s not so much that Vick won’t start as it is his mentality. It’s pretty disappointing to hear him say “I can’t play unless I’m 100%,” particularly where you have other players like McNabb with arguably more painful injuries saying “you’re gonna have to drag me out of the game.” Same with Curtis Martin, Champ Bailey, Leftwich, Favre, etc.

Not only is this disappointing to Vick’s fans, but also his teammates. When you have guys like D-lo and Kerney refusing to miss practice when injured, you begin to question a guys toughness when he sits out of big games with “not-so-serious” injuries. This is even more so where that player is supposed to be the team leader.

Vick’s not starting, but I hope he plays at some point in this game. This game is much too important.

By Crawford

October 9, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

Gut check time and the Falcons choke, typical. Not impressed With Brooking, he gets knocked around too easily for the money he makes

By Jennifer

October 9, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this

Choking? Who? I want to win, but agains the champs I don’t cry over a 31-28 loss. That’s not a choke, fool.

The Falcs stepped up. Dunn has always and will always be my favorite player. Schaubie, good job.

Good game. Let’s look to next week.

By Eman

October 9, 2005 04:51 PM | Link to this

I told you ‘ll that the defense is soft and that Mike Vick could and should have started, But he is not the reason why we lost it was the stupid errors our defanse was making. We should have won that game , but we was out coach and out played!! I am glad that Hartwell was out because he is over -rated and slow, Now we know that we are not ready to play in the superbowl because 1. The eagles are better than us. 2. The defense is soft 3. We need to get a QB with heart and skills . 4. Vick does not have heart.

By Jeff

October 9, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this

As usual, Rossum gets toasted. He is a horrible defensive back. He can’t cover a thing. He does not need to be anywhere near the field when the Falcons are on defense.

By dirrtybird

October 9, 2005 05:59 PM | Link to this

If Vick can’t play at 85%, then he is not worth 130 Million. I am one of the stoutest Vick supporters around, but he is being soft. McNabb is playing through injury that requires surgery, Culpepper is playing with the exact same injury that Vick has. Vick is being soft. He’s turning into the glass QB, and a $130 million dollar QB needs to get his a$$ out there at 85%. Bottom line. Go Falcons!!!!

By dirrtybird

October 9, 2005 06:00 PM | Link to this

By the way…Jason Webster is one of the worst NFL players I have ever seen… .How in the hell did we get stuck with this guy?

By William Kitchens

October 9, 2005 08:36 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Webster… good job Eman, the last post only had a few spelling boo boos.

I give you a smiley face.

As far as the invitation… I’ll put in your terms.

I’ m note and england techar so dont think that I dont have a life!!! I’ m trier of peeple thankin that Iam smartier then tham kause I coud spell so good!

But cents we both like the Falcons, lets jest bee freinds.

By Scott

October 9, 2005 09:34 PM | Link to this

I think one of the reasons why I get so p** at Vick is that he cannot get the ball downfield. Even though the Falcons lost today, Schaub spread the ball around to 4 differant receivers and threw over 300 yds and 3 TDs with no interceptions. What more can we ask of a back up. Schaub has the makings of a very good QB in the NFL.

Vick … heal up and get it together. All that running is not productive in the long run. It will not take us far in the playoffs because all teams have to do is stuff the run and the Falcons are toast with Vick in there.

Playoff teams will bring a solid defense year after year. That puts the Falcons on the sidelines.

Bradys passing game is what killed the Falons today. Lets face it the Falcons are not a team that can stop a Brady or a Manning. Even the one from New York.

Vick did look cool with his 300K earings on the sideline with his hat tilted to one side. I think he found it hard to root for Schaub which says alot about his leadership ability.

By Jim

October 9, 2005 09:41 PM | Link to this

Trade Vick for some defense and let Schaub run the team…he gets what a QB is supposed to do… as in spread the ball around, read defenses and play whether he has a nose bleed or not…

All the Vick worshipers should wake up and realize that we should win games like today… if our defense can stop the home run balls… big if folks, they obviously cannot…

Right on with the rants on Vick having to be able to play at 85%… I just think he may be hurt a bit more than it is let on that he is…

Bottom line today is that we lost not because Vick didn’t play… but because our defense didn’t…

Schaub called a good game and did everything he was supposed to… except part the “red sea” and stroll across the goal line to wrap it up…with 30 seconds or so to go…

By Steve

October 10, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this

The Atlant “Vicks” show the rest of the league, they can’t win without Vick. Rethink your game Atlanta, you have Carolina and Tampa to go. Two teams that won’t go away.

By Luther

October 10, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this

You dont need Vick..you need Gregg Knapp to figure out that with 2nd and goal on the 5 with 1+ minutes before the half…you DONT throw 2 pass plays..take a field goal and give it back..you have a Train named TJ that guarantees..2 shots at it..we get 7..different ball game. For the life of me I cant see why we continue to run with 180lbs..when we have a bruiser at 250!!!!!!

By Dan

October 10, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this

Cmon luther Duckett can’t carry Dunns jock. If he had half the brain of Dunn he would start. He is just a role player. On another issue, my niece would like to get a pair of roller skates, does anyone know where Brooking gets his, and how often does he have to oil them to allow him to go backward so fast

By Chuck

October 10, 2005 11:39 AM | Link to this

The last time Mike Vick played a complete season of football was in High School so we must be prepared to win without him. If you think you can’t then you can’t.

The Falcons can and will win with and without him

By CJ

October 10, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this

The Pats were missing their Pro-Bowl, man-child defensive end/defensive tackle Richard Seymour, playmaking middle linebacker Tedi Bruschi, bone-crushing strong safety Rodney Harrison, starting cornerbacks Poole and Gay, starting left tackle Matt Light, and third-down running back Kevin Faulk. It’s an injury DISASTER FIELD in New England. It’s laughable. The Pats are signing players from the streets as a stop-gap to fill out the roster. Back-ups are playing for the back-ups. So if Vick is hurt, HIS back-up comes in and throws for 300 yards with 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, his absence is not an excuse for defeat. The Patriots, even with all the devastating injuries, are still a notch better than the Falcons with or without Vick.

By RealFanNotAFake

October 10, 2005 03:02 PM | Link to this

CJ you are crazy, Without Vick Atlanta is an average team. With Vick Atlanta can beat anyteam. Point blank.

By CJ

October 10, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

RealFanNotAFake….two names for ya: Randall Cunningham and Kordell Stewart. Add Michael Vick’s name to that list of superstar athletes with subpar cerebral skills that never won a championship. Scrambling quarterbacks can get it done (see Elway and Young for further) but rarely will the run-first, pass-second type of QB trump a gifted decision-maker with even modest physical talents. Vick is explosive and a good-not-great QB. His problem is he incapable of running an NFL style offense. He’s a slasher and capable of elevating a team to the another level. But when facing teams with equal talent, but with a QB that can manage a game effectively and run an NFL offense without looking to bootleg 10 times a game or scamper out of the pocket after only checking down one read, Vick comes up short.

By smoke

October 10, 2005 08:17 PM | Link to this

THIS IS LUDICROUS. VICK DID NOT EVEN PLAY SUNDAY AND PEEPS ARE ALREADY SAYING HE’S NOT GOOD. WHAT QUARTEBACK HAS PLAYED HIS FIRST 2 FULL SEASONS AND GOT HIS TEAM TO THE PLAY OFFS. STEWART AND CUNNINGHAM ARE IN NO WAY AS EXPLOSIVE AS VICK, NOT AT ALL. IF VICK HAD TOP NOTCH OR HALF DECENT RECEIVERS HE WOULD THROW MORE. WHO WAS SHAUB PASSING TO YESTERDAY? CRUMPLER AND FIN MOSLTY RIGHT? SAME AS VICK/ SO THAT MEANS THE RECEIVERS FLATOUT MUST SUCK THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES!! YET EVERYONE IS BLAMING VICK. HE IS AN AWESOME ATHELETE THAT WILL DEVOLOPE INTO AN EVEN MORE AWESOME QB. GIVE HIM TIME 2 POST SEASONS ALREADY I MEAN CMON HE IS DOING HIS JOB, AND HE DID IT UNDER TWO DIFFERENT COACHES, SO VICK IS NOT THE ISSUE. BRADY RODE THE BENCH AND NOW IS QOUTE UNQUOTE ELITE RIGHT? SO DID STEVE YOUNG RIGHT? OK SO GIVE VICK THOSE MANY YEARS FIRST AND STOP HATING ON HIM. LET HIM HAVE 2, 3 LOSING SEASONS LIKE EVERY OTHER QB GETS BEFORE YOU DOG EM. WHY STAY IN THE POCKET AND GET A CONCUSSION, WHEN YOU CAN RUN FOR 52 YARD AND A SCORE AN GET THAT SAME CONCUSSION. WHETHER HE RUNS OR SATYS IN POCKET HE WILL GET HIT. LET EM GET HIT DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE, DROPPING BACK HOPING THOS ROOKIE RECIEVERS TO GET OPEN IS JUST AS BAD AS HIM RUNNING. AND FOR THE RECORD ALL THOSE SO CALLED GREAT QB’S THEY ALL HAD SOMEONE TO CATCH IT. YOU CAN THROW TO THE AIR ALL DAY SOMEONE HAS TO CATCH IT FOR IT TO BE EFFECTIVE. I MEAN JP LOSSMAN STOOD IN THE POCKET, BOLLER STANDS THERE, GROSSMAN STOOD THERE AND CARR FROM THE TEXANS IS STILL GETTING SACKED AS WE SPEAK, SO THERE IS CLEARLY A DIFFERENCE IN HIM RUNNING OR BECOMING A DAVID CARR LIKE CULPEPPER IS.

By DbleD23

October 10, 2005 10:11 PM | Link to this

Winning without Vick? HAHA!!! The organization did the fans wrong. They should’ve told us earlier Vick wasn’t playing so alot of us wouldn’t have wasted our gas going to the Georgia Dome, they are so wrong for that.

By DbleD23

October 10, 2005 10:35 PM | Link to this

And before any of you get to running your mouths, I am a second year season ticket holder that goes to the games to only see Vick play. I know I’m not the only one who feels cheated by having to watch Doug Johns…I mean Schaub run out of bounds when he coulda ran and possibly scored a TD. They should be honest with the injury report.

By CJ

October 11, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick sells tickets and fills the stadium (even blog poster DbleD23 admits as much), not to mention all those number 7 jerseys. He’s entertaining, and let’s face it that the NFL, and every sport for that matter, is about entertainment. The ownership understands that and the Michael Vick phenomenon, and would be reluctant to replace Vick with Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, if given the opportunity—-let alone the likes of 2nd year back-up Matt Schaub (18/34, 298, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 112.1 passer rating against the World Champs). Vick is one heck of an athlete—-perhaps the most electric runner in the league. He’s a very solid quarterback and better that 3/4 of what’s out there at his position. But his physical prowess is trumped nearly every time by Brady’s acumen—-or Schaub’s, for that matter. You make decisions—-the most vital characteristic of a succesful quarterback—-with your mind, not your legs. Vick’s problem isn’t receivers or his slow development, it’s his overall decision making. He doesn’t run the offense properly not because he’s so fleet of foot, but because he’s shown time and time again he’s incapable of dissecting defenses, checking down to his 2nd or 3rd read, and finding the open man as he gets hit (like Brady and others are willing to do). He’s a gifted scrambler, so he takes off and improvises—-which is fairly effective most of the time, so he sticks with it and the fans are content to watch him do so, especially given the entertainment value. But when the Falcons and their fans are watching some other team represent the NFC in Super Bowl XL, they need only consider recent NFL history for an explanation: The careers of Kordell Stewart and Randall Cunningham.

By Tommy in MA

October 11, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

Attention Ladies and Gentlemen of the Greater Atlanta area—

-Losing to this generations dynasty is nothing to be ashamed of. Whether Vick was or was not 100% hurt is absolutely beside the point. I have been a huge fan of M. Vick since his Frosh year @ VA Tech and have watched his career pretty closely. His presence would have made no difference in Sunday’s game…Here’s why:

-The Future Starting QB of the NY Jets (aka Matt Schaub) was fantastic and was better than even I thought he would be.When the Patriots stiffened and decided to stop Atlanta’s league-leading rushing attack, it was up to Matt Schaub to lead the team through the air. 18-34 298 is and unbelieveable stat from a back-up. Scary thing is, it should have been better. You want to blame someone Falconfan? Blame your wide receivers, who apparently can’t catch a cold. I thought Michael Jenkins was supposed to be this obscenely talented wideout, but he’s got hands of stone and apparently a brain to match. The performance by your wide receivers was the reason you lost this game…they made the Seahawks receivers look good by comparison.

Your defensee was fine. Yes, they gave up 31 points, but they did pressure Brady and forced a turnover. You want to blame Allan Rossum and Ed Hartwell, fine, but realize this: there are NO (that’s right zero) teams in this league who have more than 2 decent corners on their squad (except for maybe the Patriots, but they have 3 hurt) so when you go to nickel, dime and quarter coverage, there are liabilities out there. Understand this however: This is why teams go 3, 4, and 5 wide receivers, is to try to create these matchups. The reason the Patriots are successful in these formantions is 3-fold.

1. The offensive line provides enough protection for Brady to get the Ball out—-they’re not great by any means, but in a multi-wr set, you only have to be good enough.

2. Brady gets the ball out faster than anyone else in the league (including Manning…pick either one)

3. The Patriots 3, 4, and 5 receivers are just plain better than your 3, 4, 5 corners. Troy Brown, slow as he may be now, is still the Pats 2nd all-time leading receiver (will be #1 before this season is up) and is still one of the top 5 possesion receivers in the league. He’s Better than your nickel corner, whatever team you are (depending on your team, he might also PLAY nickel corner better than your nickel corner). Tim Dwight or Bethel Johnson is just plain better than your 4th DB. Daniel Graham or Ben Watson is simply better than your 5th db, your starting safties, Ed Hartwell, Keith Brooking or whomever you want to have cover them. You should know this about Ben Watson, being from UGA.

Your offense played so well Falconfan. The Patriots did exactly what they came to do, which was stop your running game regardless of your QB. Schaub was great. Your defense played well. You came with your A-game…

You just played the Champs. And Found out why they are the Champs. 3:40 to go, is way too much time….Brady to Branch, Brady to Givens, Pass up the gut (another UGA grad..) :20 to go, and the Patriots REAL MVP strides onto the field to do what he has done 23 times in his career (inc. playoffs).

There’s no blame to place Falconfan. You simply got beat by the best in the business. From what I saw, and have seen, I get the sense we’ll be meeting again, February in Detroit. There is NO TEAM better in the NFC than you are. Assuming no dramatic injuries or locker room issues, you’re going back to the Super Bowl. You are just plain better than every other team you face this year. Enjoy it, it will be a fun ride. No one goes undefeated, and you can go 9-7 and still win your division (Tampa is a fraud, they will be exposed soon enough).

—As a PS to this posting. Lumping Randall Cunningham and Kordell Stweart in the same sentence is a joke. Randall Cunningham was a remarkable talent and played on some Philly teams in his prime when he WAS the offense…Not like in a “Vick is the Offense” misconception around the country…Vick has talent (Dunn, Crumpler, Duckett) to work with around him, Cunningham had NOTHING (a coked up Cris Carter….Mike Quick? Fred Barnett? Please…) and was very successful and is a borderline HOF-er in my opinion. Kordell Stewart is the perfect example of “Million Dollar arm and a 10-cent head” he capitalized on his “Slash” ability early on in his career and therefore became very overrated (not Junior Seau overrated but close) and led a bunch of very talented (but clueless) Pittsburgh teams to the playoffs where they would inevitably choke and lay down like dogs. (I recommend to any Kordell Stewart apologist out there to get a copy of the 2001 AFC Championship game and watch Stewart’s decision-making…Highest of High Comedy).

Anyway, Thanks for letting me post on here, and remember you have nohing to be ashamed of Falconfan, you played as well as you could, you just ran into The Champs.

-Tommy—-Worcester, MA