Falcons

By ironfeet01

November 2, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

In order for the Falcons to win this game they have to control the line of scrimage. Protect the passer, run the football and stop the run. It’s a simple as that. They have been doing this the last 2 games, so I expect them to continue. Also, benching Webster wouldn’t hurt.

By Steve H

November 2, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

I am unfortunately predicting a loss this weekend. Detroit is a lot better than their record and I believe we are in a world of trouble if Hartwell can’t go.

By vickisick

November 2, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

ya steve cause hartwell has done so much for this club the past two years. losing him would destroy our linbacking chemistry in keeping d williams, brooking and boley on the field as has been the case all season.

the only way atl loses this game is if vick throws picks or fumbles….thats it. the secondary will be fine, they’ll probably play soft but good enough to hold detroit to field goals and maybe one score when it’s out of reach. 31-13 atl.

By phar71

November 2, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

GO Falcons! Not to be a downer but i have a bad feeling in my gut about this one. How have the practises been this week? are we bringing energy, or we still floating over Flowery Branch after the last two games?

By falconeddy

November 2, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

what is our record against detroit in detroit?….OHFER?…unfortunately lowly lions will knock us out of first and put our season in jeopardy…hope that i am WRONG!!!!!!!!!!GO BIRDS!!!

By Will Blog for Food

November 2, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

Everyone, including ESPN, gets on the Vick bandwagon:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2644425

By WL

November 2, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

phar71 you’re right… are the Falcons really as good as we think? Can they play at the same level week end and week out? One would hope so but after being a long time ATL fan 35+ yrs.. You remember the past let downs.. Don’t mean to bring the birds down…

By vickisick

November 2, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

atl beat det thanksgiving @det last year 27-7 handily, so where is all the doom and gloom coming from. is it cause you think vick is due for a garbage game? det is a mess…take atl and lay the 5.5 points.

By Big Man

November 2, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

ironfeet01 I second that benching of Webster. He sucked in San Fran, so I don’t understand how he ended up here with a big contract in the first place.

By Birdy

November 2, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

Hartwell having knee issues means he needs to sit — especially against a Martz-coached team that will definitely attack him with passes to a RB like Jones. Brooking needs to be back in the middle and Dmo on the field full-time to deal with Jones.

By parks

November 2, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

to be honest I think we beat the lions with relative ease. Steve not sure what you have seen to make that judgement, Hartwell has done nothing to help this team..

Also I believe Shaun Rodgers will not play for them due to inj. I think we have another 250+ running day and Vick throws for about 150 and 1 touchdown no picks

my humble predicition:

good guys 27 Lions 13

By parks

November 2, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

may have been wrong with the Rodgers thing, swear I heard that somewhere.

still stand by the prediction

By Jimmy

November 2, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this

Det is no good. We ought to let Schaub play this one. I don’t see us losing again.

By larry w.

November 2, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this

Any NFL team is capable of beating another NFL team at any given time. So the Lions game is certainly not a lock. However, I don’t have the doom and gloom feeling that some of you guys have about this game. First off, everybody in the Falcons orginization remembers very vividly what happened in the second half of last year. I don’t see that scenario playing out this year. Secondly, this Falcons team is pretty darn good, especially with the more aggressive offensive approach that we are now exhibiting. I have said all along that the talent is there, it is just a matter of installing a game plan to maximize that talent. Knapp finally seems to be getting it after his quarterback and running back called him out. So even though no game is a lock, I would really be surprised if the Falcons came out flat against an inferior Lions team.

By parks

November 2, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Lions DT Shaun Rogers underwent “minor” knee surgery Wednesday.

He’s already walking without crutches and should be good to go when he returns from a four-game suspension in Week 11. Detroit seems likely to struggle defending the run and rushing the passer while Rogers is out.

I knew I wasn’t going crazy. That is a monster blow to the Lions D line.

By This gets old

November 2, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Pavlovian response guys, they’ve always fallen just when our hopes were raised but I don’t think that will happen this week.

The Cincy game showed me a lot. That’s a tough team and they really want the playoffs. We might lose but it won’t be because they come out flat.

I think we win and I’m sure everybody has talked about forgetting the game last year.

By larry w.

November 2, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Good info parks. Looks like the running game may test the middle often on Sunday.

By michael

November 2, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

So Jimmy, you would rather jepordize our winning streak, and possible lead in the division just too let Schaub play? Man you got to be kidding me! Detroit isn’t going to be a push over, and we cannot take them lightly! I for one don’t think that they will take them for granted. What you gonna see this Sunday is the Falcons be a dominate force on both side of football!

By UNKNOWN HINSON

November 2, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

IT WILL BE A TOUGH GAME BUT WE WIN 28-20. WITH THAT RUN D DET HAS WE CAN’T LOOSE. THEY’RE D IS SET UP TO MAXIMIZE OUR OFFENSE. I’LL KILL MYSELF IN THE FACE IF WE LOOSE TO DET, LET’S NOT REPEAT LAST YEAR STARTING STRONG, ENDING LIKE NANCY’S.

By J-MAN

November 2, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

Man! Look at all the negative nennies I know that its any given sunday but you better know that the Falcons O is still mad about the Giants game and the D wants to prove that they are better than they have played the last 3 games so I’m predicting a 31-10 Vicktory by the Falcons and it will be over by the 3rd Quarter. People they’ll the DETRIOT LIONS not the 72 Dolphins

By concerned

November 2, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

The lions beating the birds; if we are talking about contending this year, these next two games(and Cleveland) are money in the bank. I’ll talk to yall when we play the Ravens. By then we will be 7-2 number 1 in the NFC South;Number 2 in the NFC.

By TD

November 2, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Peter King, hbo, si, and si.com, is picking the Lions over the Falcons based on a “feeling.” Of course, the Falcons do have a tendency to screw up from time to time, but I think it will come later in the season. The pass defense really worries with though and they might have to score 30 or more to win.

By Will Blog for Food

November 2, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we start calling the Falcons offense “The Wild, Wild West Offense.” You heard it here first…

By Falcon-X

November 2, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

I heard the Falcons got this really great linebacker a couple of years ago from Baltimore - anybody know who that might be?

By Najeh Davenpoop

November 3, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

The one thing the Lions have is a very effective passing game. Kevin Jones is good but their O-line is inconsistent, and they can’t really run the ball consistently. Their defense has been pretty bad all year, so Vick, Crumpler, and Dunn should do fine. The only thing I’m worried about is how well we can contain their passing game — Roy Williams is an elite receiver, Mike Furrey has been a solid #2 all year, and although Jon Kitna has been turnover-prone he has piled up a lot of passing yards. If we can force a couple of turnovers we should be fine, but if we can’t get pressure on Kitna or pick off some passes this game might be closer than the Falcons would like. I still don’t see us losing this game though, unless someone gets hurt.

By e.b.

November 3, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

Hey Steve H -“in trouble if Hartwell doesn’t play”? Come on, we have done fine without this guy for almost 2 years now. He hasn’t done much when in the line-up.

By Ken Strickland

November 3, 2006 01:14 AM | Link to this

Our DEF will be the key to winning from here on out. Without exception, our pass DEF becomes almost dominate when we play man coverage and blitz. Donatell’s beloved soft cover zone DEF is very effective when the front 4 can pressure the QB. But, injuries to key DLinemen have reduced the effectiveness of our pass rush and made this DEF a liability.

Knapp has done an outstanding job of turning a once stale OFF into a dynamic OFF. He needs to use Norwood more, especially in the passing game. He could be 2nd only to Vick, as the most feared Falcon.

We’ll win the next 2 games because neither opponent has enough DEF to stop our OFF. I don’t see us having a let down the remainder of this season because of the New Orlean experience. This team will be defined by its performance against the Ravens, and the pressure will be on them to stop Vick and co. YOU GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By zorro

November 3, 2006 01:49 AM | Link to this

All of the Falcons receiver’s will score.And J.Webster and mathis will score,Davis,Grady, Boley will all get sack’s Vick will throw 5 T.Downs {count them and see}and Norwood will score.So sit back and watch the Air & Ground attack, brought to you by Arthur Blank . so I’m saying thanks early “THANKS” OH! Even though Halloween is over this team is scary.BOOYAH!

By Shell

November 3, 2006 06:57 AM | Link to this

I just want to win by 1 point or 20 points dont much matter to me. On any sunday any NFL team can beat youa turnover here a bad call there, anything can happen. I see Vick and Co getting the lead and Det playing catch up for most of the game. I could be wrong but as long we win it dont really matter to me.

By Bill H

November 3, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this

Abraham and Hartwell are Tin Men, they have no heart. On the flip side, Kerney and Brooking are warriors, they suit up every game. Bundle the Tin Men and go after Tech’s Calvin Johnson.

By Keeping it real

November 3, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this

This is the week to see If our coaches can keep this team from a let down . WE must win this game it would be a huge let down if we lose. Ed Donatell don’t suffer from E D this week we must bring pressure on defense and play williams more!

By Keeping it real

November 3, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this

By Bill Abraham is nobody’s Tin any thing he is going to bring it on the last part of this season. He is hurt how many time have you went to work hurt. You seem to be a tech fan and I like them to but stay off Abe he a game changer . They both have heart when you have bad knee it hard to preform .

By gary

November 3, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

LOL Will someone please explain to me what “kill myself in the face means”. Just curious. PEACE!!!!!

By Ry

November 3, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

The Falcons should roll over Detroit. If the don’t, then they do no deserve to be in first place anyway. They have to win against teams they are expected to beat. On another note, when is Mora going to just give up on Hartwell and leave him on the bench. I am concerned that if they keep changing up the players for his position, there will be no consistency and the D will suffer. Hartwell has been a huge disappointment and the Falcons need to move on. Wasn’t it two weeks ago that he was running his mouth about how he is now healthy and is ready to play and after starting the first game last week, he is already hurting again.

By mo

November 3, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

The Bottom Line: If the Falcons lose or even struggle against this team, we will see that the Falcons are not as good as the record say we are. This is the kind of game that is definitely needed at this point in time to test the Falcons’ character.

Are we going to play to the level of competition, or do we have the fortitude to actually put a team away?

(By the way… did we actually pay Jason Webster $7 Million signing bonus??? Jason Webster made more money last year than Pac-man Jones! It’s highway robbery!)

By Falcon4Life

November 3, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Yeah Bill H., Kerney and Brooking never miss any games. I wonder why Abraham has more sacks and QB pressures in 1 game than Kerney has while playing in all games. Same with Brooking. Have you noticed how much better our run defense is with Hartwell in the game. He’s not credited with tackles the way Brooking is but he plugs the holes that the running backs are running for. Our run defense was getting shredded by weak teams until Hartwell came back. Even the “run 1st, 2nd & 3rd” Steelers had no running attack against us. I do think that D-Mo should be on the field though. It’s just Brooking that needs to sit. Brooking will have 10-15 tackles a game but the opposition will have 200+ yds rushing. Because he makes no tackles at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t engage a running back in the hole. Can anyone name ONE TIME where Brooking has met a running back in the hole and blasted his a* while driving him into the backfield a la Jesse “THE HAMMER” Tuggle. Betcha can’t.

By Charlie

November 3, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

It’s easy to get on Hartwell and Abe. I feel bad for them, making all those millions and not being able to play. After all, that’s what they really want to do, right? It’s rough on these guys to sit and hear all the criticism day in and day out.

When your mind says yes, but your body says no it is very frustrating. True HWell hasn’t been a factor since coming to the Falcons and Abe is the same guy he was with the Jets. The Brass gambled on these guys and is losing the bet. Too bad we wasted so much cap space.

But the fact is, the NFL is a war zone and these guys, all of them, take a beating every week. They want to play! Some are more durable than others…it’s the chance you take. Imagine what could have been if HW and Abe could stay healthy.

Good thing for us, we have depth and their replacements appear to be no slouches, esp Boley. I’m willing to bet you DWilliams is out to prove something this week as well. This guy deserves some respect.

Webster…poor guy. He hears it every week from the fans about how bad he is..can you imagine being the weak link on this great D? Crocker did blow that coverage last week, but Websters problems have been going on a lot longer than that. Seems like JWilliams might be a brick shy of a full load in the smarts department and can’t absorb the playbook at the NFL level…which may be why the coaches are reluctant to start him. Remember when Mora put him in on that goal line play against the Giants and he got burned? Not his fault…Mora never should have put him in that situation. It will destroy a young players confidence.

But anything is better than (play 30 yards off the ball) Webster, including my sister.

You see where he said in the article about the secondary that he was just not playing deep enough on that big play to JJ Henry? What a joke! He ALWAYS plays 20-30 yards deep. Truth is he just doesn’t have the speed anymore, esp with a fractured foot.

They should at least work Jwilliams into some plays when the game is not on the line.

By parks

November 3, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Falcons4life…Kerney 5 sacks Abe 3 sacks ..most sacks in one game this year for Kerney 3, Abe 2 in others words that part of your post is wrong

about Hartwell, was he in for the Panthers, Bucs, and Cardinals games when we shut down the run? no.

Brooking met rudi Johnson and willy parker at the line of scrim a number of times.I have a better ? when have you ever seen Hartwell meet a running back at the line of scrim?

the only game this year we were gashed by the run was by the Giants running counters to the weak side all day long. D-Will could not turn the play inside but about one time

this is not a post to bash abe or D-Will, just to try to get you to think before you post

By Ken Strickland

November 3, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

Since Vick’s performance has stopped those confederate loving morons from posting, this has become a very civilized and informative forum of exchange. FALCON4LIFE, I like Brookings, but intelligent people know, you can’t argue with the truth. I watched Hartwell during the Steelers game and he jammed blockers and closed gaps at the line of scrimmage, which allowed others to make easy plays.

That’s what he did with the Ravens, and RLewis was the beneficiary. It’s not a coincidence that Lewis started complaining about not being able to make plays after Hartwell left. He had no trouble making plays after the Goose left. It’s not that anyone is knocking Brookings, but he simply isn’t a ML. Like Boley and Williams, he relies on quickness and speed, not strength and/or physical play. However, they make far more plays, at and behind the line of scrimmage, than Brookings.

CHARLIE, don’t be too quick to question someones’ IQ. Remember the assumptions made by certain types about Vick’s IQ? The fact is, the coaching staff has refused to replace Webster with anyone. Therefore, that fact, along with your statement, implies that Webster and Hall are the only QB’s on the roster with the prerequisite IQ to play the position? Remember, we went through this same situation last yr, and JWilliams wasn’t on the team. SO, MAYBE YOU SHOULD QUESTION THE IQ OF THE COACH(S)FOR REFUSING TO EITHER RECOGNIZE AND/OR ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IT’S NOT LIKE IT JUST SUDDENLY POPPED UP THIS YR.

By Madden King

November 3, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

Special Ed Donatell needs to blitz just as much in the first half of games like he does in the second half of games when he realizes that his soft cover 3 zone is getting torched. When the Falcons blitz it has been proven that we cause alot of problems with all of our speed and it also helps out Kerney and Brooking. I know people don’t want to here this but it is the truth, Kerney and Brooking are high motor players. What I meen by that is that they have to work their butts off on every play full speed and hope that they can make a play. Players like D-Mo, Boley, Abraham “even though he is injured” and Coleman on this team are playmakers. Those players are so gifted athleticly and speed wise that it doesn’t take much for them to make a play and when they go all out they are unstoppable. Kerney since he’s been in the league has had two seasons where he’s had double digit sacks, Abraham is injury prone but he has had double digit sacks in all but one season where he was injured all year. Abraham has played two games this year and he has four sacks 3 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, thats a playmaker, Kerney has played all but one game this season so in six games he has four sack no forced fumbles no fumble recoveries and remember three of those four sacks came in the Arizona game. So we have to continue to blitz if we are going to have an elite defense until Abraham gets back then we can play that cover 3 zone because Abraham is going to bring constant pressure.

By parks

November 3, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

Ken, I seem to recall Lewis complaining about the 3-4 defense b/c it does not let him “do what he does” he had lobbied for a 4-3 with run stuff DT’s b/c when Adams and Goose left, the D started to struggle once the DT’s left ..thats why they drafted Ngata and all the sudden he is great again ..Hartwell made is name for himself playing when Lewis was out for most of the season.. I’m pretty sure any MLB in a 3-4 scheme will tell you what makes them shine is a monster DT and big strong DE’s not the other MLB

we will have to agree to disagree on this one. there has been one game and one game only that we have been bad against the run, the Giants ..hartwell would not have made one diff in that game imo..

any body else notice that the only games that we have been awful against the pass was when hartwell was in? maybe thats because on playaction on 1st and 2nd down Hartwell is a MAJOR liability.

By parks

November 3, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

madden King, I agree with your theory on high motor Vs gifts to a point .Kerney and Brook have plenty of ability with their “High motors”

also I believe that Abe is a better pure pass rusher,I he ever stayed healthy he could the best in the NFL ..

Kerney is has a great sense for the football ..never seen a D-end sniff out so many screens in my life..

couple of corrections to you stats however, per NFL.com .

Kerney had double dig sacks in 01(12),02(10.5) and 04(13). 3 years not 2

also Abe has three sacks not 4. 2 against Carolina (one of the more dominant per from a DE I’ve seen) and 1 againt the Giants, all forced fumbles

Kerney has five and he does have 1 forced fumble ..last play of the cincy game

also even before the turf toe, any body have any exp for the reason why Coleman is not near as dominant this year? last year that guy blew up guards

By CAQ

November 3, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

Ken,

I do agree Hartwell is going to be missed on the run because he fills the hole unlike Brookings. You noticed that the run defense was much improved with Hartwell was playing. However the pass defense is hurt when he is in the game because of the knees.

Falcons should do alot of Blitzing in this game, hopefully the defensive coordinator realized the speed he has on defense from the last game.

By mo

November 3, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

I think that Brookings will do just fine against the run if he’s at MLB. He’s smaller than Hartwell, but is more mobile. Plus, Brookings is playing at a motor level and with the intensity to go back to Hawaii.

Now the person that will be missed is John Abraham. We need a great pass rush on Sunday. Jon Kitna will just tear our coverage apart if he has the time to sit back in the pocket. Kitna is having a Hall of Fame type of year this year. He is not making the silly mistakes, so we must rush the QB and get pressure with our front four as well as our blitz packages.

As far as their defense is concerned, I’m not concerned, unless we make silly mistakes. I think, though, that Dunn should have a big day on the ground and Lelie and Crumpler will be open for some big plays.

My questions are:

1. Can Roddy White continue to make plays?
2. Can Jason Webster actually play up on a WR?
3. Will we see J Williams?
4. Will Dunn go off this week?

By Smitty

November 3, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

no,no,no….I sure hope so….GO FALCONS

By Ken Strickland

November 3, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

PARKS, I don’t see where we are in disagreement on this issue. The 3/4 DEF doesn’t have a ML, it has 2 inside LB’s. Hartwell was considered the best run stuffing ILB in the NFL, which is why the Falcons signed him. I’m not saying the loss of Goose or Adams had no effect, but it didn’t become a vital issue until Hartwell left. RLewis was smart enough to know it would be easier for the Ravens to replace a big butt lineman than a ED Hartwell.

Our run DEF will improve dramatically, as soon as Hartwell gets his legs under him and becomes more comfortable playing a 4/3 DEF. Anyone that has followed the 49’ers knows that Webster has been injury prone, but has always been willing to play hurt. Last yr he played with hamstring problems and now he is playing with a stress fracture. I believe Webster’s willingness to play hurt is why a former 49er DEF cordinator, Mora, is so loyal to one of his former 49er players.

This entire issue of Hartwell and Webster would be mute if Donatell would just unleash the blitz on a consistent basis. MADDENKING said it all in his 1:10 post.

By Eternal Optimist

November 3, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

You are all right in some respects. Brooking is a great outside LB but he is too small to be effective on the inside. Hartwell fits that mold fine. I think he will be ok but we should sit him until he is at least 90%healthy even if it is closer to the end of the season. Boley and DWilliams have quickly become my favorite defensive players. No,they are not making the big dollars but DWilliams is our leading tackler and Boley is atheletic enough to play anywhere on the field. As much as I like ABE I don’t think he will ever fully recover from the groin injury. I mean repeated surgeries to the same spot can’t be good. We tied alot of money into him.

By parks

November 3, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Ken, I realize that 3-4 is 2 mlb or Ilb’s whatever you want call it,I was just simply saying that Ilb’s in that scheme will talk about the DL’s cleaning up blockers long before the other ILB..I don’t ever remeber Ray mentioning Ed

in your theory I could tell you that the only reason Hartwell was considered a upper tier run stopper was b/c of Ray Lewis

Also the thing that I don’t get is that our run Defense has been good every game this year with the execption of the Giants. Everybody keeps saying our run D will improve. Imo if it does it will not be much and our overall D will suffer b/c he is a big problem on pass coverage imo

By Ken Strickland

November 3, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

PARKS, my apologies to you for sounding condescending when I mentioned the ML, ILB difference in a 3/4. I assure you it was unintentional. Ray didn’t mention anyone specifically by name. He just said he wanted another big butt in front of him. And your statement that Hartwell’s reputation was enhanced by playing next to Ray Lewis goes way beyond mere theory. Hartwell may be a liability in Donatell’s beloved soft zone pass DEF, but in a pressing, blitzing scheme, Ed would be hell on wheels as an inside rusher.

We should rush no fewer than 5, 4 linemen and the ML, on every passing down. Our goal should be to bring pressure up the middle and force the QB toward our DE’s. Our ML should be a factor in rushing the QB, not pass coverage.

By parks

November 3, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

no prob Ken, trust me I hope your right. I will be the first person to admit I was wrong if Hartwell comes back and tears it up. You, Larry W and a few others are the few good posters on this board. keep comin with the good stuff

By David

November 4, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Detroit doesn’t pose any problems because they don’t have Barry Sanders anymore. If Sanders were still in Detroit’s backfield, I would consider this a possible trap game. But the fact of the matter is that the Lions pretty much play like lambs and I don’t see any way that the Lions can win this game, particularly due to the fact that they are stinking up the NFL. At 1-6, they are probably the most hapless team in the league and more than likely a sure bet to get the #1 overall draft pick in next year’s draft due in large to their pathetic record. If the Falcons look past the Lions to next week’s game against Cleveland (another trap game) then the Falcons will be in trouble. But if the Falcons bring their A+ game and play hard for four solid quarters, then I see no reason why the Falcons can’t coast to this victory at the expense of the pathetic Lions. Look for the Falcons to roll and chaulk up another “W” in the win column.