Falcons

By Timothy

October 10, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this

you know what steve…you really suck..i mean really, your awful…i mean seriously….its just terrible…im sick of you like im sick of the Braves losing in the first round.

By Timothy

October 10, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this

i mean your just wasting space….a lot of people dont like terrence moore but at least he has a view or an opinion or some insight…what is your job? your not doing it, your stealing from the ajc if they are paying you…are you an intern? please explain…please ask yourself if this is the best that you can do? if it is please let me know…a loss followed by this “inside scoop” is dreadfully disappointing.

By Steve Wyche

October 10, 2005 06:02 PM | Link to this

Timothy,

first off, thanks for logging in to blog and even though you don’t think much of me, I do appreciate your comments. Instead of telling me that you are sick of me — to my knowledge, we’ve never met so I don’t know how you could judge me as a person — why don’t you let me know what you’d like to know. I’ve opened this up for bloggers to ask me questions. Maybe that way I can help deliver better information to you and other readers who may share your opinions or who may not.

Also, just to answer one of your questions, I am not to interject opinions into these blogs. Instead, I’m supposed to offer up subject matter and let you guys offer an opinion.

Offer up suggestions and I’ll do my best to help inform everyone. Again, thanks for checking in.

By TR

October 10, 2005 06:14 PM | Link to this

Steve you’re right on target with this article. I’ll take a guy that calls it like it is any day. We’ve all known from the beginning of the year that the Falcons’ secondary was suspect. We have guys that don’t come to play every Sunday—or lacking proper skills at the position—that’s apparent. The Patriots did an excellent job of attacking the teams weaknesses; and now every other team we play will try and do the same. Rossum should never be in the game except as a KR/PR…a CB he is not. We have been doing defensive patchwork for far too long and it’s beginning to catch up with us. Another thing that doesn’t make sense is getting rid of Buhl and Jones who were both better than Christian Morton. What’s that about? McKay and company had better get one of these guys back in here if we’re trying to rely on Morton and Rossum as our nickle CB. I’d like to also know why we play bump coverage against Philly and go back to this weak zone coverage on everyone else?

By Erik

October 10, 2005 06:16 PM | Link to this

I have no problem with you Steve. You haven’t done nothing to me. I just want to know if you think there is a chance Mike Boley will start, now that Hartwell is injured.

Put Brooking in the middle and Boley outside. I like Reese on teams then on D. Give the kid a shot….

New Falcons Blog

By Timothy

October 10, 2005 06:19 PM | Link to this

well let me just say it is very inspiring to get a response from you…i among others have tried to get your attention to get you to talk, respond to us, give us some feedback all to no avail and have made requests to no avail…i guess a kick in the butt is what you needed to get on your job…i may have been a bit harsh but im hoping it will work…i would like youyou to review the post/blog by Matt called “Checking out the Champs” Please read the body of that work along with the accompanying comments and you should be able to get a good idea of what we are looking for and what we received in the past. no offense your probably a great guy…but we need some meat in these blogs…and please feel free to respond to questions and not just ignore them…thanks

By Steve Wyche

October 10, 2005 06:39 PM | Link to this

I like this guys. Whenever I have the time to interact, I’ll hop on and chat with you guys.

First off, I think there is an outside chance that Boley could be looked at to start at the strong-side linebacker, if Brooking is moved to the middle. I think the Falcons could move Demorrio Williams to the weak side spot to try and shield what happened Sunday, which is teams running right at him.

Ike Reese could also be moved to one of the OLB positions if Brooking is moved into the middle. The Falcons don’t want to take Reese off special teams, but if they start him, they might have to in order to reduce his workload.

As for Jonte Buhl, I’ve asked and been told that for, whatever reason, there are some members of the organization that weren’t too fond of how he played. He looked good in preseason, but maybe he made some mistakes that weren’t visible to those of us on the outside.

I’ve opened up Fridays for kind of a respond to your questions day. So fire away during the week, I’ll save your queries then try to answer them the that I can on Friday.

I’ve got to roll out but let’s keep this thing rolling the rest of the week.

By Andy

October 10, 2005 07:24 PM | Link to this

Whoa…Steve responses….though I didn’t go as far Tim’s ‘you suck’ deal, I feel that the blogs could be better. If you look at Matt’s blog, you will see what we are used to. Also, we’d like to see you check in a few times a day each day to comment and answer questions. Shoot, we will even give you question ideas before you talk to Mora & Co. each day. Your Friday for questions is Ok, but we are used to every single day, even at odd hours of the day like 3 AM. Hope to see better interaction between you and the hardcore Falcon fans.

By Reid

October 10, 2005 08:16 PM | Link to this

Steve said: “I am not to interject opinions into these blogs.”

Then I would suggest whoever made that “rule” doesn’t quite get what blogs are about. Opinions offered generate opinions in return, and discussion results. A blogger without an opinion is like a car without tires. You’re not going to get anywhere fast.

By FalconW810

October 10, 2005 08:32 PM | Link to this

Last year this team was awsome against the run, this year, they are horrible, what’s up? Ed Hartwell was brought in to be a run stuffing machine, am I missing something,what has this guy done? I’ve read that he has poor lateral motion, is he best suited for the 3-4 where he gets help from the added LB or is he doing fine and as a whole this D just isn’t tackling well? The huge positive of this game is obvious, we’ve got a darn good young backup QB, which gives us so many more options in plays and future decisions.

By L. T.

October 10, 2005 09:06 PM | Link to this

This is the second year that Mora and Donatell has missed the boat on out secondary…Last year the passing yards gained against us was called empty yards, remember that term… this year they are called game winners. Mora as a def co-ord. played the best person on his defensive this is not happening here instinct/agression/instinct/to the ball/instinct/reading the quarterbacks/ They remind me of brooking… a lot of wasted movement with know results DON’T MOVE HIM TO THE MIDDLE AGAIN!!! Boley, Should take 20 percent of the snaps while KB taking 80 percent. Reese made more plays from the middle yesterday than I have seen the entire season. Wide receivers can anybody catch the ball. Defining moments the miss catches by White/Jenkins early first quarter. Those were really game changing misses.

By William Kitchens

October 10, 2005 11:56 PM | Link to this

I’ll be back to blog as soon as the defibulator kicks in…

Two responses from Steve in 1 blog… hold on…. there it kicked in again.

Timothy… amazing

Steve… Thank you.

Just keep this up.

By Mark

October 11, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

LT I agree with your comment about Ike Reese. I think he did a much better job than Ed Hartwell. Maybe Hartwell was dinged up all along. Maybe the heal was already hurting. Either way Reese looked better.I hope Ed has a full speedy recovery.

By Anthony

October 11, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

Man, that really irks me about Buhl. I thought he played well and was overall a playmaker (granted it was against preseason foes, but you could tell he moved well). I guess that’s why we’re all fans and don’t see the insides of plays and practices.

One question though: if some of the Falcons brass didn’t like the way Buhl played the game, why the heck are they thrilled with Christian Morton getting burned twice in the NFC Championship game last year and this year against Seattle? Granted, he made a nice play later in that game and played decent against Buffalo, but I don’t call being beat to the endzone by a back up tight end good play making ability…

Anyway, I’ve got to agree with FalconW810 with Hartwell. I think he’s a fine player and will be missed. We as fans probably miss what he actually does on the field, but where is the run D? To echo what has been said, we were great last year against the run with pretty much the same guys (minus Matt Stewart and Chris Draft). In the offseason we “upgraded” our LB corps and now we’re worse?

I don’t know what’s going on, but I hope the coaches are now awake to thought that our D isn’t as good as previously thought (not saying their bad AT ALL, but time to fix the holes!).

Anthony

By Neil McDougall

October 11, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it, Hartwell has been a HUGE disappointment so far this year. I don’t care about how he looks in practice. I want to see it one field, and so far he isn’t even playing up to Chris Draft standards at MLB, never mind looking like a Tuggle, Curry or Nobis. As for CB, why aren’t the “brainstrust” looking at a solid vet like Ashley Ambrose? Don’t keep trotting out guys like Morton and then act surprised when they get beaten or make boneheaded plays.

By Johnny Mosley

October 11, 2005 08:58 AM | Link to this

The biggest problem with Hartwell & Brooking has been their inability to shed blockers. The LBs can’t be as lazy as these guys have been. Williams and Reese are effective because they stay active and get very physical (which partially makes up for their lack of butt-power; 222lbs and 227lbs.) The CBs are just not physical enough at the LOS to disrupt the timing of these pass routes. They have a 5 yard window that they are not using to their advantage. Most pass plays are based on timing, and if you disrupt the timing (especially on WC offense), the QB has to make a quick decision or take the sack. I don’t see a lot of smart ball being played, and D. Hall needs to shut up and play ball like he played against T.O.

By KB

October 11, 2005 09:37 AM | Link to this

I was at the game Sunday. I would agree with the earlier blogger that Allen Rossum should not be ever used as a cornerback. He is definately a defensive liability. I believe Jim Mora knows that. Mr. Mora might need to look thru the waiver wire for a more complete cornerback. I would either find a strong safety better than Bryan Scott or put him in the past of Keion Carpenter and find me a better strong safety.

By Dewaine DeLaurier

October 11, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this

I was very upset at the play of Rossum. He did not seem to return any punts and certainly contributed to our loss by being all over the Patriot receiver during the Patriots’ final drive. Anyone one who was there, however, know it was the refs who really cost the Falcons the game. The blew it on the Schaub sideline play and did not see the Patriots receivers push off before scoring touchdowns.

By Andy

October 11, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this

Sorry, but I won’t miss Hartwell, really won’t, guy hasn’t made any plays. IMO, Brook should go back to the MLB spot. He is a tackling machine and will help with the run game as Hartwell was only an upgrade over Draft in 2 ways: 1. Doesn’t have asthama 2. Bigger paycheck

Have De-Mo play the Weakside and Ike the strong side. That should help with the run D. Ike in the middle would not work the whole season, he is too small and would wear down in the 4th quarter of games. Work Boley into the rotation with Cash as he gets better and we should be fine…where I am worried is the Secondary…J-web is a bust( nice guy or not), Carpenter and Scott looked lost on Sunday (and need to actually tackle, not attempt arm tackles) and we may have the short Rossum or TOAST at Nickel CB…yikes!

By Tommy in MA

October 11, 2005 01:10 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.

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.

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

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

By William Kitchens

October 11, 2005 01:33 PM | Link to this

Tommy in MA… Your post is about as arragont as Marty Schottenheimer’s comments were about your Pats.

We know how well our team is and don’t need your commentary.

I personally don’t care how you feel about the Falcons or what you like.

Talk to the bobblehead!

By Tommy in MA

October 11, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this

Apparently, you do need my commentary, cause all I’m hearing now are things like “moral victory” and “good loss”. What a joke! I was starting to believe you were actually developing a fanbase down there…Oh well, I guess you’ll just be like Pantherfan, Dolphinfan, Chargerfan, Coltfan….a series of “good losses” and “not quite good enough performances”.

On behalf of Patriot Nation, I am hereby calling out Falconfan, to see if you have the cajones to step up and reach your mantel as “Best Team in the NFC”—Your franchise is so similar to the Patriots Franchise of 10-15 years ago its scary. Man up Falconfan! Demand more of your team! Or did yuo just want the Falcons to be the football version of the Braves? Get to a Super Bowl—You have the talent, ownership and coaching to do it.

You fans are far too knowledgable to do this namby-pamby wussy fan stuff. Good Luck going forward..

Tommy

By Traceman

October 11, 2005 03:47 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons need to go out and get veteran help at middle linebacker and the nickel corner spot. Hartwell was not exactly lighting it up but we will miss his veteran presence and leadership and Cash was REALLY playing well in place of Mathis. In fact, I thought Cash was the only corner who played well on Sunday.

I can’t help but wonder what the Redskins would want for LaVar Arrington right now seeing as how he is completely healthy but has not played but 7 plays in the last 3 games for them. His stock has likely never been lower and they may be reluctant to trade him to an NFC team but would anyone be willing to give up a pick (perhaps even our first rounder) for a 27 year old 3-Time Pro Bowl linebacker? I’d give up a second rounder for sure. Thoughts?

By Brian Hunt

October 11, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this

The problems on defense are two fold. The first issue is the inability of any of the nose tackles to get consistent penetration. Too often they are getting blocked and washed out of the play versus the run. When the other teams offensive line pushes our NT back wards it washes out the ability of the Linebackers to get to the ball carrier. Line backers cannot consistently win against offensive linemen in the running game. That’s why they need the defensive line to occupy the offensive line. Lavalais is okay if he’s playing one on one, but a NT is suppose to command the double team so that the under tackle can make a play. Lavalais just doesn’t have the power to split a double team and he often forgets his technique.

The second problem is that the Safeties have almost zero impact. Bryan Scott is playing like he’s scared of contact. WRs are blocking him with ease. He takes bad angles. He needs to hit the hole and blow somebody up. I’m extremely disappointed with his play. He is not the same player he was the first four games of last season. He’s going steadily down hill. Maybe the shoulder injury and concussions have taken too much out of him. The safety position is a huge liability. Carpenter has had a couple of almost interceptions, but that’s it. Neither of them have a positive impact on the game anymore.

In order for this defense to advance to the next level it needs a NT with power that can hold his ground and penetrate, and some ball hawking blow somebody up safeties. The Falcons defense is built to rush the passer, but if teams stay out of obvious passing situations, they have nothing to fear from the Falcons. They can run it up the gut at will and open up the passing game by isolating the safeties. Not good in the run oriented NFC south.

By Traceman

October 11, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this

Tommy in MA, if you have watched Vick since his days at Va Tech then you know full well that Vick’s presence would have made a HUGE difference. When he is on the field, his presence makes all the players on the team believe that we can beat anyone. From an X’s and O’s standpoint, his presence would have allowed us to control the ball on the ground more, resulting in fewer opportunities for Brady. With all of their injuries, the Patriots D simply does not have the athletes to contain Vick for an entire game. Scheme can only contain a guy like Vick so long if you don’t have the athletes to run that scheme and at this point, the Patriots don’t. The Patriots’ defense certainly didn’t “stop” the Falcons’ rushing attack anyway as we had 116 yards rushing on 26 carries (4.5 yards per carry) but I agree that the running attack was significantly slowed with Vick out. The Patriots did not have to defend the bootleg as they would with Vick in the game and that made our patented stretch play far less effective.

For you to say our defense was “fine”, you obviously haven’t watched our team play very much. We were TERRIBLE! We lacked intensity and it showed. We were not nearly physical enough (no tackles by our strong safety) and our corners didn’t make a single play all day. Giving up 31 points at home is ridiculous and the primary reason we lost.

Sure the Pats are a good team and we did play well offensively. That being said, I’d LOVE to see us meet again with a healthy Mike Vick.

By norm

October 11, 2005 08:06 PM | Link to this

Tracerman, I d LOVE to see us meet again with a healthy rodney harrison, matt light, richard seymour, tedy bruschi,

By larry w.

October 11, 2005 09:11 PM | Link to this

Brian, I definitely agree with your assesment of the safety play on Sunday. The second touchdown to the tight end down the sideline was parhetic. If you watch that play again, you will see that no way should that have been a touchdown, or even close! He should have been knocked out of bounds around the forty yard line. First Scott came over and gave a little nudge, that was totally ignored, and then falls by the wayside. And then Carpenter comes running over and instead of laying a lick on this guy and knocking him out of bounds, he tries to punch the ball out of his hands. As he does this, he falling away from the runner, never making an effort to wrap up! And then Scott pops into the picture again around the ten yard line and the guy shrugs him off like an annoying insect! Needless to say, that is horrible technique, and it cost us a touchdown.

By Bostonsphynest

October 11, 2005 09:27 PM | Link to this

First off I’m a native of Massachusetts (Boston) living in Georgia(Atlanta) and my whole thing with you guys is that alot of you aren’t Falcon fans, y’all VICK fans. Mike Vick is a hell of a player but let’s face it, for the offensive system that the Falcons have in place now, Scaub runs it better. Now if Mora changes the west coast offense to something more sudible for Vick, he’s have big numbers but right now, Scaub got this offense down pact. If you guys know any history of Matt Scaub, he’s been running this same offense since college so look for Scaub to start somewhere else soon. Now as far as the Pats are concerned, we all know they banged up, especially on defense. Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Teddy Bruischi, Randell Gay, and Tyrone Poole are ALL STARTERS ON DEFENSE so of couse we’re not going to be as good as we once were but to disrespect the Pats talking about if Vick this, if Vick that is nonsense. He’s just ONE guy, an important part of your team but ONE guy. Vick don’t play defense and oh yeah the Pats offense line’s banged up too(Matt Light) and they held the Falcons D to one sack. So before you guys start crying about Vick, think about what Pats are deling with right now and also it’s a shame when 2 defense players get hurt and all you still hear about is Vick. Football is a team sport. Good luck to you guys but watch out cause every week, the Pats are getting healthier and healthier.

By Brian Hunt

October 12, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this

Before everyone gets Shaub crazy, remember that the Pat’s defense was missing a lot of players, including their best two players in Seymour and Harrison, not to mention a bunch of defensive backs. Shaub still didn’t complete but 53% of his passes. Even if you factor in the dropped balls he still wouldn’t have hit 59%. The Falcons still haven’t won a game that Shcaub has started and only won one that he had significant playing time in (against the Vikings in a game that was clearly lopsided when he entered it). Vick is clearly still the better QB.

By E-rud

October 14, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

As falcon fans we should not be surprised of the performance last Sunday. We can not catch the same diease the players and coaches have for the falcons, because before the season started we all knew that the Falcons were weak at WR, LB, & DB but we act like this is the greatess team ever put together. When you have over paid players that does not care about hard work and winning instead of waiting for the game to end so they can get into their expensive cars with the rims and wait to pick up a check that we pay them each week. The worst thing about looking at the Falcons is the coaches and up management down play the efforts of the players by making excuses instead of chewing out some butts. I seen Bryan Scott come up to make a tackle on Cory Dillon and actually laid down in the hole as if he was at his nice home getting in his KING SIZE BED and the only thing he was waiting on was someone to tuck him in for the night. Things will not change until we make everyone accountable or cut them because every player on the field is not a professional at what they do. We have to do a better job at getting good players if we really want to be a championship team.