Falcons

By DIRRTYBIRD

October 13, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

The truth is that Vick probably is questionable. He won’t go unless he is 100% which is a little less than inspirational. I’m a huge Vick supporter, but it’s time to step up and play through some pain. Remember when Jordan had the flu and was on IV’s before the game and came out and scored 39 and the Bulls won anyways? That was inspirational. Remember a few weeks ago when McNabb led his team on a huge second half comeback against KC with a hernia? Truly inspirational. Remember when Champ Bailey Separated his shoulder and came back the next week to make the key interception in a win for Denver? Remember when Mike Vick sprained his knee, and all X-rays game back negative and he sat out a game and a half anyways? Hardly inspirational. We all love you Mike, and hope you get healthy, but football is about being a man and playing through some pain. All X-rays and MRI’s negative. C’mon. Go Falcons.

By RealFalcon Fan

October 13, 2005 02:48 PM | Link to this

I agree DIRRTYBIRD. Great players play through pain. If you are playing a physical sport like Football, you need to learn how to handle the hits and keep on going. Vick is smart and talented and if he thinks he is ready to go on Sunday, let him play. He needs to show the fans that he can hang tough.

By CJ

October 13, 2005 03:36 PM | Link to this

Not that I fault the man, but Mora deceived the Pats and did so intentionally by listing Vick as probable last week. The Pats prepared all week for Vick’s game, not pocket-passing Schaub. Wasted practice time, of course, once the truth of the matter was realized: Vick wasn’t going to play, should have been listed by anyone’s estimation as probably, and Mora’s breaking (not bending) of the rules served as a smoke screen of sorts to aid a Falcons victory. The rules were broken, it just can’t be proved. Ever. Hence, no proof means no punishment. But the Pats, in spite of the fact they’re signing bodies off the street to fill roster spots vacated by injuries, still beat the Falcons. The best team won, in spite of Mora’s never-to-be proven (and understandable) rules violation.

By falcon guy

October 13, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this

The problem with your comparisons DIRRTYBIRD is that Vick’s injury is one that can become worse if not treated properly, which includes being careful not to aggravate it further. Jordan’s flu wasn’t going to get worse to the point where he’d need knee surgery. And based on the doctor’s analysis of McNabb’s injury, he can’t make it worse than it already is, he just has to fight the pain. Vick’s injury isn’t about playing thru pain. It’s about not making it worse and losing him for the season with a torn ligament. You guys are uninformed, or don’t care to understand the nature of injuries. If it were a matter of blocking pain, it wouldn’t even matter how tough Vick was. They’d give him some painkillers before the game and say “go get em.” And just so you know, you don’t evaluate a knee sprain with an X-Ray you dummy. It’s an MRI. Jackass.

Who cares about the labels, “probable”, “questionable” or whatever? In my mind a team has no obligation to tell the other team how healthy they are. Do you want to know the plays I’m gonna run too?

By Chandler

October 13, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

I am a huge Falcon fan but I agree with CJ. Mora clearly tried to deceive the pats last week and he even went as far as to keep Vick in the dark to do it. I want us to win just as bad as he does, but lets have a little more faith in your team Mora. They don’t need your childish high jinks to win!!!!

By Chandler

October 13, 2005 04:03 PM | Link to this

Good blog Falcon guy but there is a slight problem with your feeling of prob,ques or out. THE NFL MANDATES YOU LIST ALL INJURED PLAYERS. So in that respect it does matter. But you are right about Vicks injury. You can’t just say play hurt, but as we both know a lot of people who are fans are painfully uninformed.

By DIRRTYBIRD

October 13, 2005 04:26 PM | Link to this

Falconguy.

I clearly stated that the “MRI” came back negative. You don’t think they x-rayed his leg too? C’mon. The point is that McNabb and Jordan were actually hurting. Vick’s “MRI“‘s were “negative”. He stayed dressed out in the Minnesota game. Daunte Culpepper is also playing with the same injury that Vick has and hasn’t missed a snap yet. Football is a game of chance where on any given play, and given player can get hurt. When you start playing not to get hurt, then you are in trouble, and you have lost your intensity. If Vick can’t play at 85% he should give back 15% of his paycheck. My point is that most other players in the NFL and sports in general would be out there playing. Mora needs to stop babying Vick and let him earn his money. Who wants to bet that Roethlesberger plays this weekend? Did you see that hit? Much worse than the one Vick took. Those are the kinds of characteristics that build the character of a champion. I truly believe that Vick is a champion, but he needs to rub some dirt on it, and get back in the game.

By john

October 13, 2005 08:05 PM | Link to this

x-rays were negative to further damage.

vick couldn’t plant and so he couldn’t throw.

it is not the same thing

vick has played plenty w/ injuries. almost entire 2002 season.

also most of those players who played injuried shouldn’t b/c they sucked and gave their teams no chance to win.

By smoovcc

October 13, 2005 08:35 PM | Link to this

Mora mislead everyone because he really didn’t believe his unit was good enough to beat the Pats. And for you complete idiots comparing Vick’s injury to Culpepper’s, how do you know the severity of either injury. Oh you just have a gut feeling that Culpepper’s is just as bad. Vick twists and turns more than any qb in the league, and he really maximizes his skills while doing so. Some accidents are a freak of nature and a mild blow can cause more damage than an all out hard hit. I’m not defending Vick, but why does every jack-off in Atlanta want to dock the guys pay?

By dirrtybird

October 13, 2005 08:56 PM | Link to this

I’m not every jack-off in Atlanta. I fly from Los Angeles every year to see the Falcons, as I am from Atlanta. I have 4 different Vick jerseys. I’m a huge fan. But the great players find a way to win, even when they can’t use their #1 weapon, which happens to be Vicks legs. I know that Vick has played through injuries in the past, and I’m stating that on this injury he is being soft. Every player in the NFL is playing hurt, and if you’re not hurt by now, then you’re not seeing playing time. Vick is a freak of nature, and he should not expect to play at 100% on every game or not play at all. Take it or leave it. 85% should be good enough to suit up. Vick is a lefty anyways, and so he plants on his left leg to throw. He’s wearing a brace on his right knee. I don’t think Vick is faking injury. I think he’s being soft.

By falcon guy

October 14, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this

Culpepper had a bye week last week, so exactly how do you assess that he “hasn’t missed a snap”, and that’s assuming that it’s even the same injury? I watch plenty of NFL shows and I don’t recall seeing any information about Culpepper being injured. But every program had some mention of Vick’s status. So I’m pretty sure that Vick’s injury was more serious than Culpepper’s, if he even had one. All I need to know about Vick’s toughness is that he wanted to play and they wouldn’t let him. To me that means he isn’t some sissy who was protecting himself.

By falcon guy

October 14, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

How many of you “tough” guys have ever had a sprained knee ligament and played in an NFL game? NONE. So the last person’s opinion Vick should be concerned with is some jerk who doesn’t even know how difficult or dangerous it could be to play with a sprained knee ligament.

By falcon guy

October 14, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this

WHO CARES IF THE NFL MANDATES LISTING INJURIES? The only day that it matters how healthy a player is, is on game day. So this nonsense of listing a player on Tuesday as “probable” and then Wednesday as “questionable” and then Thursday as “probable” again is absolutely retarded. I don’t blame any coach for not taking that NFL policy seriously, and any coach who complains about how an opponents coach manipulates the injury report needs to be fired because he’s worried about the wrong thing. Worry about your team and how to make them successful, prepare for the best players that your opponent has, and leave the whining at home.

By dirrtybird

October 14, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

How many of us Tough Guys get paid $130 million dollars to play in an NFL game? Of course Vick is going to get more air time than Daunte Culpepper. It’s not my fault if you don’t know about Culpeppers injury. He was interviewed about it and he said “I’m a warrior, I’m playin” damn…BTW Vick told the coaches that he couldn’t play. That initial story was wrong. Can’t wait to see you this week Mike.

By E-Rud

October 14, 2005 10:45 AM | Link to this

The way the DB’s, LB’s and WR’s played last week Michael or Mora made the right decision because all of them are acting like wusses that need someone to rock them to sleep before and after games(old female who can breast feed). That could be a paid job by the owner for someone out there, who can make a couple of millons which will be overpaid like alot of the players. If someone is hired please let Bryan Scott, D. Hall, Webster and K. Carpenter be your first customers

By Jackets fan

October 14, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this

Thought I’d take the time to inform you DIRRTYBIRD, since you obviously are incapable on your own. Here is the injury report for Minnesota for the whole season to date as taken from CNNSI.com. Culpepper was so injured, that his name was NEVER LISTED AT ANY POINT THIS SEASON. (I know this will look garbled, but the information goes Date Listed on injury report, name, status and the injury sustained.)

Date Player Status Injury 10/12/2005 Nate Burleson Out Knee
10/12/2005 Spencer Johnson Doubtful Knee
10/12/2005 E.J. Henderson Probable Ankle
10/12/2005 Brian Williams Out Knee
10/12/2005 Lance Johnstone Probable Shoulder
10/12/2005 Moe Williams Questionable Knee
10/12/2005 Darren Sharper Probable Knee
9/28/2005 Willie Offord Injured reserve Knee
9/28/2005 E.J. Henderson Questionable Ankle
9/28/2005 Sam Cowart Probable Knee
9/28/2005 Kenechi Udeze Questionable Knee
9/28/2005 Moe Williams Probable Knee
9/28/2005 Nate Burleson Out Knee
9/28/2005 Lance Johnstone Doubtful Shoulder
9/28/2005 Darren Sharper Questionable Knee
9/28/2005 Dontarrious Thomas Probable Hamstring
9/28/2005 Brian Williams Out Knee
9/21/2005 E.J. Henderson Doubtful Ankle
9/21/2005 Sam Cowart Probable Calf
9/21/2005 Darren Sharper Probable Calf
9/21/2005 Nate Burleson Doubtful Knee
9/21/2005 Kenechi Udeze Probable Calf
9/14/2005 Bryant McKinnie Questionable Foot
9/14/2005 Anthony Herrera Questionable Leg
9/14/2005 Sam Cowart Questionable Calf
9/7/2005 Anthony Herrera Out Leg
9/7/2005 Jim Kleinsasser Probable Groin
9/4/2005 Steve Martin Injured reserve Ankle
8/30/2005 Matt Birk Injured reserve Torn labrum

“who wants to bet Rothlisberger plays this weekend?” Big Ben is listed as “doubtful” which means 25% chance of playing. How much are we putting on this?

By falcon guy

October 14, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

No one player gets paid $130 million to play in ONE GAME. If Vick tears his knee up and can’t play again, how much of that money do you think he gets? NFL Contracts aren’t guaranteed. I love how morons think that making millions of dollars somehow makes a guy’s knee feel better. If that’s your logic, then sure Vick goes out there with a bad knee and since he’s making $130 million for this one game why should he care how bad he plays or if they win, he’s getting paid.

By DIRRTYBIRD

October 14, 2005 04:15 PM | Link to this

So Culpepper has the same injury as Vick and isn’t listed on the injury report. That just strengthens my point. I saw the interview on espn and saw the words come right out of Daunte’s mouth, so that just tells me even more about playing with a sprained knee. It’s very possible. No one thinks that a player gets his whole contract in one game. What kind of argument is that even? But a player does eat up the same percentage of the salary cap each game. If Vick or any player is unable to play, then he shouldn’t. But there are times when players get soft and don’t want to tough it out. It appears to me that this is one of them. I’m one of the biggest fans around, but I call it how I see it, and Vick said himself that he could have come back into the Minnesota game if the outcome was in doubt, so how did his knee get worse after 8 days of rest?

By DIRRTYBIRD

October 14, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

JACKETSFAN,

Thanks for letting me know what I am capable and incapable of. Now let me show you what you missed by not scratching deeper than the surface. Here are the notes on Dauntes injury.

Oct. 11 Daunte Culpepper has been playing with a sprained MCL and bursitis in his right knee, and the Star-Tribune reports that he practiced lightly on Monday and looked playful and unhindered by the pain.

Oct. 7 Daunte Culpepper, who has played nearly the entire season despite a sprained medial collateral ligament and bursitis in his right knee, received a cortisone shot in the troubled area this week, according to the Star-Tribune. Culpepper is expected to be ready for the Vikings’ next game, Oct. 16 at Chicago.

Oct. 4 Daunte Culpepper has played nearly the entire season with a sprained medial collateral ligament and bursitis in his right knee, a condition that Culpepper admitted Monday is painful and limiting but should not force him to miss any game time, according to the Star-Tribune. “There’s swelling, and it’s painful, but I’m a warrior,” Culpepper said. “I’m going to push through this.”

Sep. 20 Daunte Culpepper played Sunday’s game at Cincinnati despite an injured right knee that has caused mild concern within the Vikings organization, according to the Star-Tribune. Coach Mike Tice indicated the injury occurred in Week 1. Culpepper was not listed on the injury report because the injury did not force him to miss any practice time.

How about that for capable? A real injury report with an explanation of why he is not listed on the official report. Just in case you are incapable of finding this information to verify ir yourself, here is the link.

http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/index.php?sport=pftball&type=profile&name=2889

By CJ

October 14, 2005 09:14 PM | Link to this

Everyone knows the injury report is primarily for Vegas’ sake, the NFL just will never admit it. Belichick listed EVERY player (and the New England injury report is about 15 players long) except for two as “probable” after Mora’s stunt. Most of them are clearly questionable or even doubtful. Some haven’t played in weeks. Some aren’t expected to play for a few weeks more. But he listed EVERYONE except for two players as an upgraded “probable” from their previously listed “questionable” status as a message to the NFL. Now, I don’t blame Mora for breaking rules. It’s nearly impossible to get caught if done so effectively. Vick is the answer at QB for this team longterm (he’s better than most, but not cerebral—and yes, even a stud athlete needs to be cerebral at the QB position—-enough to play the position). He’s a notch better than Randal Cunningham and a couple better than Kordell “Slash” Stewart. He’s never going to be an elite QB, so the Falcons had better shore up even more talent to win it all or it’s going to be perpetual let-down in Atlanta. That being said, he’s an electrifying runner and the Pats had to prepare for that for a significant time during the preceeding week’s practice. And Mora, realizing his player is so special physically that the Pats would waste time on him. Ha ha the joke is on Mora and the Falcons, who lost in their own building to a walking wounded Patriots team even though Schaub had one of the best QB performances of the year.

By dirrtybird

October 15, 2005 01:09 PM | Link to this

CJ,

Don’t get too exited. The Pats are 3-2 and beat a backup QB last week. I see you guys as a wildcard in the playoffs this year.