Falcons

By honest_abe

November 6, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

the inability by the front four to put pressure on kitna was painfully obvious… which led to aggresive blitzing… but that wasn’t effective as the lions were great in picking up the blitz… not that the secondary is free from blame as the play of jason webster has been horrendous…but the defense as a whole is underperforming. the falcons weren’t ready to play yesterday and it showed.

to fix…i think jimmy williams deserves a shot at some playing time… sure he’ll make some mistakes…but the falcons really miss somebody that will/can hit somebody in the mouth.. what’s the worst that can happen.. he could turn out to be another jason webster…lol

By falcons67

November 6, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

The secondary is putrid #21 u are not Deion Sanders let it go man up on somebody. My question is where the hell was Tyso Calbo. He was our best pass blocking lineman and we deactivated him WTF!!! I would like to know what Blank said to Mora very interesting that he would come out on the field with 5 minutes left and we are losing.

By Falcons Fan

November 6, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Did anyone see the scene in Borat this weekend when Borat rolled up in the ATL and learned southern culture form the Falcons secondary?

Anyway, Falcons are 5-3. Looking at the schedule they only win 2 more games (Cleveland and Washington) and lose to Baltimore, New Orleans, Tampa, Dallas, Carolina, Philadelphia.

They end the season at 7-9.

By Jay

November 6, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Webster is a horrible corner. He is targeted every game and gets burned every game. I mean, its not hard for opposing coaches…throw towards the guy with 4.2 speed, or at the game thats short, slow, and gets exploited on a weekly basis?

I think replacing Webster would be worth a 10 point swing. He’s that bad.

By Mike L.

November 6, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone … before we jump out on the Falcons again and how much they suck, etc. which happens every time after a loss … and then how great they are after a win …

a few questions i would like to find out the answers to:

1. Why in the world did the offensive coaches put Forney back into the game yesterday? he was playing with an injured shoulder … Clabo and Jackson obvoiusly proved to everyone that they could play and protect Vick!!

2. I still havent found an answer to this one - why do we have four tight ends on the roster? how do we use them? why do we need four? how about adding some depth at the other positions .. maybe somewhere on defense that is badly needed.

3. is it just me or does Dunn not look as explosive as he used to? it looks like when Norwood comes into the game the running game shifts a gear up. It looks like years are catching up to Dunn.

4. I know we have a couple of rookies in on defense … but, we all saw what happened to New England yesterday night - the first thing they pointed out was that the corners were playing too soft and that is why they got burned a lot of times? hmmm … dont our corners play soft all the time? a couple of times this year when we brought out a blitz or a more aggresive in your face defense we had success!!!! why not keep the pressure up?

Orlando … coupld you please answer some of these?

By THL

November 6, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Donnatel and his soft scheme are once again to blame for the pitiful defensive performance. Teams have regularly converted 3rd and 10+ yards on this secondary with ease. The soft zone does not work. If they would play a zone and match up when someone comes in their zones, we’d have a little more success but we really need some guys who can the other team’s wideouts in man-to-man coverage.

I’d like to see these guys play some man because if they get burned for touchdowns, that won’t be any different from what is happening with them now.

MV7, HOLD ON TO THE BALL! Receivers, CATCH THE BALL!!!

If you look at Vick’s throws, they were pretty accurate. 7 drops (mostly on 3rd down) will kill any QB’s completion percentage though.

Just thought I’d get my thoughts in before this blog turns into the daily race war it inevitably becomes.

By BirdDawg

November 6, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is an idiot. He destroyed the chemistry built on the line for the good on one player, who was playing with ONE ARM! Keynan Forney has been nothing but an underachiever here, and Alexander and Clabo have played much better than he ever did. But Jim Mora decided, as he does often, that the feelings of one player was more important than the good of the team. He’s been doing this with Jason Webster for the last three years. And you watch, Matt Lehr, the worst offensive lineman in football, will be allowed right back on the line, and once again, Vick will be running for his life with those two retards at guard.

Jim Mora needs to go. He is not willing to do what he needs to do with this team to win. Our offensive line is better with Alexander and Clabo. But Mora won’t sit Forney. There is no way in hell that Jimmy Williams can be any worse than Jason Webster, yet he still sticks with Webster. He’s so stupid, he even makes excuses and sticks up for Webster daily.

Jim Mora is also a child. He is petulant, and acts like a spoiled brat. I am sick and tired of his antics at press conferences. I am sick and tired of his act. This team needs an adult as it’s head coach, not this child. I’m pretty sure that Jim and I are the same age, but I left 20 behind 26 years ago. Jim Mora is still the retarded frat boy, and he’s ruining this team.

I’ve defended Mora on many occassions, saying that his sense of loyalty was great, just misplaced (Jason Webster, Greg Knapp), much like Mark Richt’s. But Mark Richt is an man. He’s an adult. Jim Mora may be in his 40’s, but he’s a 20 year-old boy, and I for one am sick of it.

The sooner Arthur Blank fires this petulant child the better!

Get an adult in here to run your team, Arthur, not a de facto 20 year-old son for you to continue to coddle!!!

I am sick of Jim Mora!!!

By mo

November 6, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Falcons Fan, I disagree with your scheduling record. We should beat Washington and Cleveland. We will probably lose to Baltimore. We will beat New Orleans at home. We will beat Tampa. We may lose to Dallas and Carolina. We will beat Philly. So, let’s see… 10-6. Now if we somehow beat Dallas, that’ll put us at 11-5. Either way, we’re going to the playoffs.

By Falconsbeliever

November 6, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

You have to let J. Williams start, and move Webster to nickel. But if I was a creative offensive coordinator (unlike Knapp) I would call a lot of 3-Wr sets and line my best WR in the slot so that Webster has to check him.

They need to let D. Hall play man.

Rossum should not be trying to cover any teams third WR. Also, Crocker has been a big disappointment. He is a good tackler, but we shouldn’t be getting beat over the top as often as we are.

I would get more creative with the blitz. You cant just send Brooking up the middle every time. I would use D. Williams’ speed and let the DB’s blitz every so often.

By Jerry

November 6, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I could only watch a few minutes of this mess of a game. The Falcons need a Pro. Coach. Jim Mora is not what we need. I want to know why he has been allowed to assemble a coaching staff of cast-offs from losing programs. The Falcons defense sucks. MV will be okay if he stops trying to put the team on his shoulder and just relax and do his best.

By Madden King

November 6, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

After hearing what former Falcon and all time leading receiver in Falcons history Terence Mathis had to say about this defense on Monsters of the Midday on 790, it is official that Ed Donatell and possibly Jim Mora has to go. Mathis said when he played for the Falcons they would lick their Chops when they played San Fran. because of the TYPE zone defense they played. He said that their way of playing zone is different than everybody else because the Falcons will drop back in their coverage cover a third of the area but won’t move their feet and won’t follow the quaterback’s eyes. He also said that if you look at everybody else’s defense you will see that when they drop back in zone everybody is constantly moving and where ever the QB’s eyes go those defenders move that way to get a jump on the ball. That tells me that when a former player of the Falcons say that, it meens that there is bad, awful coaching on the defensive side of the ball. Mathis said about the receivers that IF YOU TOUCH THE BALL, YOU CATCH THE BALL. The QB’s job is to throw the in the area of where the receiver is and it is the receivers job to go after the ball and make a play. He said that Jenkins has to learn how to catch the ball and take the hit and not be labled as soft as a lot of teams think the Falcons recievers are and Mathis also said that in every game that he played, no matter who the QB was that of all the balls that were thrown to him in a game one maybe two would be perfectly thrown and the rest of them he had to go after the ball and make a play. When Mathis says that, it tells me that it is not Vicks fault of the way he throws the ball it is the receivers job of not catching it which leads to bad coaching and bad play. So Racist Vick Haters get off Vick, it’s the coaches and the receivers fault.

By mo

November 6, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Well, I think we need a change in scheme on the pass defense. See, the pass defense relied on the pass rush, which isn’t there. We don’t have John Abraham and we are just not getting the push we need from our front four.

So we need to abandon the soft zone. We need to get more physical with our D-backs and play up. If Jimmy Williams can play up and physical, then we need to utilize him. He may get burned a few times big, but that’s when we need a safety to cheat on his side.

We need D-Hall to play lonely and shut down his side man-to-man. It’s dangerous, but if he wants to be the man, he has to beat the man… and that’s by playing man-to-man! Oh, and our nickels need to chuck ‘em up off the line and really try to bruise these WRs.

Then, when we blitz, we blitz linebackers. The SS still can do his thang against the run. Plus, the middle is occupied by the Grady Hospital, so up the middle running by opposing offenses should be closed.

In other words, let’s abandon the finesse defense and let’s start some smashmouth on these WRs.

By Budylite

November 6, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

AB will never admit he made a mistake hiring the guy with all the notes! Hell what is he writing? It must be ways to screw up the team! If AB would just up and cut his stupid hire, then get a “REAL COACH” this team could be great … the personnel is NOT the problem. The talent is there but the knowledge is NOT! This team was in no way ready to play football in Detroit. Poor preparation lies at the feet of the coaching staff Artie! Man up!

By e.b.

November 6, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

Hey falcons67, you’re a complete idiot. D-Hall is the “only” guy covering any receivers. Notice, smart guy - they are throwing balls at Webster, NOT D-Hall, YOU MORON.

By blaknred

November 6, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I’ve watched many games this year and I can say that the Falcons’ secondary has to be one of the worst. It’s obvious that injuries to Abraham and Hartwell have severly hurt us, but I point to our coaching as the reason our defense continues to fail. It’s not amazing to see Det pick up the blitz, as we continued to use the same package, play after play. Our Db’s play too far off the WR’s and when we play zone, the LB’s drop 10-15 yards. Another reason I believe it’s the fault of the organization,….I’ve seen former Falcons look horrible here and go to other schemes and look like pro-bowlers. (ie Boldin and Draft). I’m hoping that Blank is watching the same game we are and I hope he is willing to do what it takes to correct the situation. Atlanta desperately needs to make the playoffs this year…if not, we should make some serious changes. This offense has too much potential to let our coaching staff destroy the organization. One last point,…we won two huge games with fabulous pass protection. Mora is a coward if he doesn’t bench Forney and Lehr, keeping Clabo and Alexander. Message to Mora: WE WANT TO WIN AND WE DON’T CARE WHO IS OUT THERE DOING IT…CLABO, ALEXANDER, J. WILLIAMS, NORWOOD….JUST GET IT DONE

By Gary

November 6, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I know this a blog about the defense, but the main reason we have to talk about the pathetic coverage is the receivers either will not or cannot catch the ball. When it is third down and any yard to go and the ball is in your hands there is no excuse not to catch it.NONE! This is called poor preparation, execution and coaching. Second point, poor, poor defense planning and coaching. This coach has to go.

By D

November 6, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

This whole game was painful to watch. K Mathis gets smashed, hope he’s OK. Vick’s hand doesn’t even know where his own leg is causing his own fumble.. UGLY. Then an ugly interception and a there’s an early gift of 14 points. Receivers all forget how to catch the friggin ball again, even Alge! The entire D sucked big time. Couldn’t get pressure on Kitna even with all out blitzing. Even though the game was clearly lost by that time, there is NO reason Blank should be stealing Mora’s attention during the game unless it was to say ‘you are fired’.
Mora says nothing at half time to try to rally his team and leaves it to Gandy instead? THAT is weak leasdership Mr. Blank. Do what you need to do.

By blaknred

November 6, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

One more point, D-Hall is not a liability. The defense he’s being told to play is the liability. I hope we don’t have fans who wish him away. Our luck, the Falcons will trade him and Vick for two first round picks to draft two more receivers.

By Andy

November 6, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

I would love to know what Blank and Mora discussed…I think the D needs help, not just the secondary. Blitzing to get pressure is always bad. To much like what happened when Brady was hurt last year. Only difference is we have to keep the run defense stout.

By keeping it REAL !

November 6, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

Coaches ,you guys are the problem! This team play just like you coach! up and down .you have good people but you plan and keep the same plan game to game . Our defense has a huge leak in it look just like last year people are hurt but so is the rest of the leage. You must do better if you want to stay in the NFL. you must do what it take to win .and now you are not!

By e.b.

November 6, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Jay, you’re absolutely right. But Mora will never replace Webster. I have no idea why (other than they go back to SF days), but he is really, really, really bad. I long for the days of Ashley Ambrose, or even Juran Bolden. Somebody who can play.

By Spoonman

November 6, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

The coaches are to blame for what is happening here. We had the same defensive issues last year which indicates the problem lies in Donatell’s schemes not personel. Knapp isn’t exactly setting the world on fire with his offense either. Most importantly, Mora did not have his guys ready to play yesterday which is totally unnacceptable. NFL teams get one crack a week and if you can’t get up for that, shame on you. I say sack Mora, Donatell, & Knapp and bring in Jimmy Johnson to build a winner.

By Falconsbeliever

November 6, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Mike L., I think it’s you. Dunn averaged 5 yds a carry yesterday and is the seventh leading rusher in the NFL. If he lacks anything, it isn’t explosiveness.

Dunn averaged 5 yds per carry, and Vick averaged 8 yds per carry. The question is: why didn’t we run the ball more? The answer is: Gregg Knapp refuses to adjust.

By kg

November 6, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this

To Madden King, what T. Mathis makes sense when you look at the d backs in the zone. On Roy Williams touchdown catch you can see D. Hall drop into the zone and just watch as Williams catches the ball and runs across the field. What happened to reacting to the ball and gang tackling in the secondary? Besides, a soft zone is supposed to prevent the long ball. Didn’t work against Cinn., didn’t work against the Lions. I would venture to guess that all of Hall’s picks have come on man coverage. We were awfully lucky that the Lions were called for illegal motion on Kitna’s qb sneak. There was only Crocker to beat for a td. Bad scheme, poor execution, pitiful effort.

By KevinAlb

November 6, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me, when was the last time Kearney or Brooking beat the offensive player they were matched up against, especially on a pass rush? What gives? These are supposed to be our playmakers, but they seem completely out of sorts on the field. Poor Kearney, teams aren’t even having to double team him anymore, and still the closest he gets to the QB is at the snap. Getting Abrahms back is not going to help him any. This guy is non-existent on the pass rush. Where’s the speed? Where’s the technique? Where’s the defense?

By Mr. C

November 6, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

Orlando, Can you please ascertain what Arthur Blank was asking/telling Mora on the sideline. As inept as the coaching staff looked yesterday, Arthur Blank has no business interfering with the coaches until the game was over. Was he suggesting plays for the offense/defense? Did he want to go in and play corner back or was he telling Jim Mora to give J. Williams some playing time. As someone mentioned earlier, unless he just fired Mora, he should get his butt to his box and enjoy the secondary getting burned.

I’ve never seen Jerry Jones disturb the coaches while the game is still going on. Maybe the NFL needs to pass a Mark Cuban law where the owners stay in the box.

By Tmike

November 6, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with everyone else on this issue. Jason Webster creates big problems for the whole defense. Croaker, Milloy, or the linebackers want say it, but the reason they look so bad on plays is because they are worried that he will give up a big play or crucial first down. Second I agree with everyone assessment of Jim Mora. How in the H can you find something to laugh about with the owner when your team is getting the Brakes Beat off of them? Vicks throws for career touch downs and you deactivate one of the guys responsible for making it happen. That tells me you either can’t evaluate personnel, or you can’t coach. Will somebody tell Mora it’s the fans that buy tickets to the games? Bench Webster and put J Williams in the dam game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By L. Hull

November 6, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Everyone is “blame gaming” the wrong people/person. McKay is supposed to be such a genius yet two of his top picks are total busts. White couldn’t catch the clap in a whore house and Williams can’t be used-even as a nickel back-with half the season gone. Some genius!

By mark

November 6, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

the atl falcons have entirely to much talent on both side of the ball to lay an egg like they did yesterday. jm gk ed sucks everything about their coaching ability or lack of sucks . we need real coaches. and recievers that will catch the ball.give me jimmy johnson or dick vermil.

By This gets old

November 6, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

You can’t put Jimmy Williams in because he’s frankly worse than Webster. In the Steeler game when Web gave up a big gain to Ward they put Jimmy back there and next play TD to Ward with Williams on him.

I don’t care when it is or what their record they always seem to have one unit that’s in not the worst then one of the worst in the league. Plague of being a Falcon fan.

No way I thought they’d lose that game. Lose? Hell they didn’t even show up and that includes the coaching staff.

By Shane

November 6, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

TO: MADDEN KING: “racist Vick Haters” you say. So white people that don’t like Vick are Racist’s ? So you are looking at these people not as men, but white men ! Your the racist. It’s 2006. Get a life !

By NawdyDawg

November 6, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

I knew that they these dirty birds would somehow find a way to lose this winnable game. I just knew it!!!!!

By parks

November 6, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

one thing I am very curious about is where is Rod Coleman? even before the turf toe he is not blowing the line up like we have been so accustomed to seeing (in the past 2 years that man wrecked guards). Imo that is the main prob with the pass rush this year is no push up the middle from the DT’s. I don’t like our scheme on D either but with a good pass rush it can work.

And to the person stating 7-9, c’mon man. all the teams you listed have just as many flaws prob more than we do with the exception of the Ravens(their great D disguises their weak O).. This team will bounce back and make the playoffs imo. If they don’t I believe some of the coaching changes that everybody is screaming for will happen.

By NawdyDawg

November 6, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Shane. I am a black man who didn’t like Steve Bartkowski when he played QB for the Falcons. He could throw pretty decently, but his feet were awful! Steve Bartkowski was and still presumably a white man. If he had been black, I still would have felt the same way. I don’t give a damn about color of the skin, I just want the best football players on the field. If all the best players on the field happened to be white, then that would be just fine and dandy with me!!!! Let’s keep this race issue out of this blog!!!!!!

By NawdyDawg

November 6, 2006 07:40 PM | Link to this

These guys have to play with heart in every game because of the “any given Sunday” factor. The teams with the losing records they face all believe that they are better than what their records shows so no team should ever be taken lightly. Do the Falcons even want to get to the playoffs?

By Shane

November 6, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

I agree with you NawdyDawg. Take care my friend.

By Reality Bites

November 6, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Here is the reality of our 8-8 season:

Cleveland- ATL wins coming off embarassment Baltimore- ATL scores 3 points in loss New Orleans- ATL loses by 24 Washington- ATL loses close one Tampa Bay- ATL wins Dallas- ATL loses and TO gets 2 TDs Carolina- ATL wins close one Philadelphia- ATL loses by 20

By willysee in n.c.

November 6, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Try Webster at safty and bring Williams in at Websters corner spot.

By Steve T

November 6, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora, This is the fans. Please start Calbo for the rest of the season.

By willysee in n.c.

November 6, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

Somebody asked if Dunn is sliping,I think the blocking changes to be more pass protection oriented the last three games is what is happened.

By Steve T

November 6, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

The defense needs to man up. I was Poed that Roy was running some many slant. Why didn’t we put a man in his face and redirect his routes to the outside. I think Jimmy William problem may be trying to plan zone. If he is better in man to man let play it. Let’s get up in some people face and hit them.

Hey let’s keep Knapp provided he continue to pass the pass and get a DC from Pittsburgh, Dallas or New England.

By BBatZTL

November 6, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

Too many: missed tackles, dropped passes, gaps in zone coverage exploited, and a lack of urgency doomed this effort from the start.

However, things will get better. We love this game, that is why we have blogged here and why we watch, but, it IS a game.

Let us all take a moment to say a prayer for Kevin Mathis tonight.

By Najeh Davenpoop

November 6, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

The problem is not the players in the secondary, it’s Ed Donatell’s inability to be aggressive. If you refuse to blitz to create pressure and leave your secondary in zone coverage for 10 seconds every play, somebody’s gonna get open. We have an excellent man-to-man corner in D. Hall, but our coordinator doesn’t let him play man coverage for more than 5 plays a game. Crocker and Milloy are not the fastest safeties in the world but they would be more than good enough if we got pressure on the QB. Webster is terrible in zone and man coverage, and needs to be replaced, but the rest of our secondary is good enough. We are gonna miss Kevin Mathis though, he was probably our 2nd best cover guy after Hall. But the secondary’s struggles are clearly Donatell’s fault.

By J-MAN

November 6, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

Man I got to tell ya I definately did not see that one coming —— LOOSING TO THE LIONS, SAY WHATTTTTTTTTTT!!!! the secondary is horrible and its gonna get worse before it gets better. I mean we had our chance to bolster it but we basically sat on our a$$ unfortunanely and let guys like Ty Law, Troy Vincent and Phillip Buchannon go to other teams so the best thing the Falcons could do now in the secondary is I guess call Deion out of retirement and beg him like Tito the Bear begs his life partner to cuddle afterwards. Anyways all they can do now is like Steve T said is look in the mirrror and MAN UP and recievers dropping balls like Tito drops balls in his mouth ain’t good either.

By Mike Fowler

November 6, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

When Forney webt down yesterday did I hear one of the broadcasters say that Clabo was not even activated for the game. What kind of move was that with Forney playing with one hand in a harness? Sounds pretty stupid to me.

By Just Shows

November 7, 2006 04:00 AM | Link to this

Clabo not being active just shows Mora’s lack of true managerial skills. This thing is unfolding right before our eyes and Sunday was not a fluke. All these problems have existed even through the wins and Jimmy Boy ignored them. A team had the offensive personnel and OC to exploit them. On the one interception, why the heck wasn’t Vick rolling out with a run pass option inside the freaking 10. Knapp, that was another game effecting bone-head play call. Why does this guy have so much trouble mixing up plays and having solid gameplans week to week. Its one thing to get beat by a better team, totally different to get whipped by an inferior opponent and out game planned. Mora as usual making freaking excuses and gees, who the hell is not tired about hearing how he grew up around football. The lowly Saints for that, and a declining 49er team. What on this guys resume says Championship potential head coach. He assembled the weakest staff imaginable. The only reason the Falcons may get 8 to 9 wins is talent level. Really need that right focused coach to get these guys to play hard 16 weeks of the regular season, not 10. Wasn’t he suppose to be a defensive guru. Please, horrible. The Falcons will beat the Browns, talent level and motivation after getting whipped in Motown. Then lose to Ravens equal talent better coach. Saints or a toss up, better coach but lesser talent but are being coached up. December could be brutal, Tampa won’t be easy down there, Dallas, Panthers, Redskins there(trouble), Philly there (trouble). Honestly with the level of coaching up we’ve seen, the lack of accountability and just a team that seems to be unmotivated at times can we beat all those passionate well coached team. 8-8, 9-7 if we are lucky. We’ll point to this Detroit loss just like the Green Bay loss last year!

By Blank Made Mistake

November 7, 2006 05:19 AM | Link to this

Mr. Genius Arthur Blank, sure made a mistake hiring this guy. But that’s what you get when you hire a yes man, instead of a strong willed proven commodity. Being a savvy business man though, you know he won’t let these coachs continue to get away with underperformance. Are you wonder, does Mr. Blank really think Mora, Knapp, and Donatell know what the hell they are doing. They stick to gameplans that don’t work, they obviously don’t motivate well. Not holding certain guys accountable, has made others on the team complacent and ticked off. Then has his own buddies as coordinators, must feel like childs play. Which is what it feels like on Sunday for us fans, wondering insted of knowing what Falcons will show up today. No consistency and that really is what the NFL is about. Who can string the most games together over 16 weeks and do it for the entire month of January. Not a lot of faith that this is the staff to do it!

By Jerry L

November 7, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this

One thing that we forget or don’t realize is that winning 3 pro football games in a row is awful tough. On the average all teams in the NFL have a hard time winning three in a row and as a betting man I always bet against 90% of the teams with 3 game win streaks…the other 10% are the elite teams in the NFL and the Falcons are not in the elite group.

By Jerry L

November 7, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this

Just to add a some fact to the last statement of the 32 team in the league this yr through 8 weeks there have been seven 3 game streaks, one 4 game streak, two 5 game, one 7 and one eight game streak.

By Don

November 7, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

Saying a prayer for Kevin’s speedy recovery.

And now it’s time to find out what our team is made of.

By Jim Whora

November 7, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Bold: I’ve been saying this for years now, Jim Mora sucks. As others said, he is a child and is NOT a genius football mind. Most of the Falcons are immature, spoiled brats and Mora makes it worse. Vick is a cry baby, Hall is a cheap short artist, Kearney is slow white def. end that is overated, Brooking is old, Roddy White is loser, Abraham will forever be on IR - There are handful of good players and people on this team…THE FALCONS CULTURE SUCKS! Man up Falcons, oh wait, you can’t. I hate living in Atlanta with this crappy team in a crappy Dome…just imagine if we had the Colts, Pats, Chiefs, Chargers…

By Charlie

November 7, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

Yep, Mora’s a bonehead for screwing with the OL chemistry…the 1st such chemistry we’ve had on the OL. If it works why would you change it? And Pleeeeaaaase don’t put Lehr back in unless both Clabo and Alexander and rookie Ojinawe (or whatever his name is) get hurt. Lehr doesn’t deserve to come back and he ain’t good enough anyway.

As for our defensive secondary scheme, could you imagine how frustrated D.Hall is? Only guy on the D who can cover man, but he’s forced to play the stupid soft zone scheme because nobody else can play. Those plays you see him getting “burned” on are zone coverages folks…not man. Also, why not resign Chris Cash! Put him on the corner and let JWill play nickel. What does Omare Lowe bring? Why is he on the roster? (Cheap?). Do something creative! Try!!!

I want to have faith in the team, and I’m a die hard fan who has never given up on our boys. But Jim Mora is either a dummy or trusts the wrong people. He should be TELLING people how its going to be. Not tippy toeing around trying to be the good guy! Grow some NUTS jim if you want to save your job! Wake up!!!!…Jason Webster is painful to watch. Keep talking yourself into leaving him on the field and you will be talking yourself right out of your job.

As coach, please be ruthless about your player selection and make the change if your boy is not getting the job done. Be brutally honest with your players, and make the necessary changes. Be brutally honest with your DC and OC and force them to capitulate. Be a strong leader. You’re not there to make friends!

As for the D…w/Coleman injured we have zero push. JA and EH are a bust and can’t help us….ever. Other teams retreads that we paid a fortune for and wasted a ton of cap space. Smart Rich…and desperate too. But history is always right Rich, no matter how much you think, “geez, if these guys stay healthy I’ll look like a genius”!

Arthur Blank, stay OFF the sidelines unless we are winning by a ton. You are not helping and we don’t want to see that. Get in his face after the game…he deserves to have you in his face, just not during the game ya cheezball.

By Eternal Optimist

November 7, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

This defense is totally lost. Honestly right now i don’t think that we have the right core group of guys to make any significant improvement. We can’t put pressure on the QB with our front four so we blitz linebackers. Even blitzing we are still unable to get pressure with this group. With no pressure on the QB our DB’s are getting “used” (especially JWebster). Brooking playing at the MLB has been ineffective. He’s too small and not strong enough to plug the holes. Teams are attacking our perimeter and our down lineman are not flowing to the ball, and the other teams offensive lineman are pushing the line of scrimmage 5 yds down field before anyone gets a hand on the running backs. Two weeks in a row teams have scored on us on the same deep post pattern from the slot position and we have made no adjustments. I can’t believe how much of a shortcoming we have on defense without a healthy Hartwell and Abraham in the game. I’m also beginning the question the coaching staff on this team. I just don’t see any individual improvement on any position on the field. Vick has played a little better (outside of the stupid, careless fumbles that I’m totally sick of), his passing has become more accurate, but our receivers are reverting to type and “sucking” once again. We have developed a habit of making mediocre/sorry teams look like SuperBowl contenders. To say the least I’m totally disappointed. Even the Eternal Optimist is struggling to find the silver lining on this team, but we will see. The second half of the season looks tougher than the 1st so I guess I’ll just pray for the best.

By Too Soft Homie

November 7, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

The solution is simple guys…come on…

Keep the following people: Coleman, Crump, Lelie, Schaub, Norwood, Finn, Grady J, the punter and place kickers.

Fire everyone else, including all the coaches and the GM. Until then, we must all suffer in the A!

By Eternal Optimist

November 7, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

K Mathis-get well soon buddy. Hate to see a player go down like that. J Mora you “suck” and it’s obvious. Why did we hire this unproven assistant coach anyway. I say fire everyone on the coaching staff, excluding Joe D, now that guy really gets fired up and he’s prepared every game, and mostly, you see him getting on players a— when they make mistakes or miss assignments. Blanke, think long and hard this off season. Yeah I think we still struggle to get into the playoffs a* a wildcard, but week in and week out this team looks unprepared and out classed, all a reflection on this coaching staff. We should have went after Lovie when we had the chance.

By roan st

November 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Charlie, chris cash is on IR with a broken arm suffered in training camp. When healthy he was the most competent DB we have had other than hall. Hopefully, jimmy williams will get some PT at some point, because he can’t be any worse than webster.

By SweetD

November 7, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Is Jordan Beck still playing? Why isn’t he getting much playing time, with Ed Hartwell out?

By Charlie

November 7, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Thanks Roan st…I guess I forgot he was on IR. Bummer! I agree he was good….Who else we got? Anybody? Anybody has gotta be better then Web.

By Edgar

November 7, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Maybe it’s time to go after Ken Whisenhunt when the season ends. It looks like another season like last year and the year before. With the talent we’ve got we should have been in the mix for the Super Bowl the last 3 years. But I’m not a coach or an owner. So it’s just a wait and see type of thing right now. I’m dissappointed but to scream and jump up and down doesn’t help me or this team. We’ll see what happens during the next 4 weeks as far as wins and losses. There’s still a chance we get hot and get on a roll. We all know that this is the time of the season when the team that starts winning and continues that into the playoffs then anything can happen. As a ticket holder for many years then I’ll speak my piece when the time comes and that time isn’t now. That time is when the losses start to pile up toward the end of the year with no chance of playing after the regular season is over. We still got 8 games left folks. If we go 5 & 3 again then we got a chance to make the playoffs.

By Charlie

November 7, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

As fans, we are entitled to scream or jump up and down…we are paying for that right. Besides if the coaches won’t do it, if we do we’ll at least feel better!

I agree though, go 5-3 in the 2nd half and we should make the playoops then we’ll see what happens. Far from being a decisive force, we’ll stumble in and hope for the best. Is that the way you want it? No, but better than 9-7 and missing right?

By DEXTA

November 7, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Someone please put out an Amber alert for Ed Hartwell, this guy is stealing money from the organization.

By Ken Strickland

November 7, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

You want to know just how sad the situation with the Falcons has become. After reading the comments on the various Falcons blogs, it’s obvious that a large number of fans have precisely identified the problems with the Falcon DEF. Most of these same fans correctly identified the teams OFF problems, Knapp’s conservative and predictable run 1st and 2nd play calling. With that said, WHY CAN’T DONATELL, THE CURRENT DC, AND MORA, THE HEADCOACH AND FORMER 49ER DC, IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM? DOES ANYONE, BESIDES ME, THINK THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD VERY WELL BE THE PROBLEM.

I recall, during our SB season, we had a safety, from SF, that we converted to CB. I can’t recall his name, but Like Webster he often gave up the big play. Coach Reeves made an adjustment around game 6 or 7. He took his best CB and played man coverage on the the teams best REC. He then rotated the safeties to the side his version of JWebster was on, then pressured the QB with the extra defenders. With that adjustment, our DEF led us to the SB while finishing at or near the top of the NFL in sacks and interceptions.

When in man coverage, DHall was all over Williams, who was bigger, taller and stronger. I’m not sure Williams caught more than 1 or 2 passes when DHall had him in man coverage. Man coverage would give us several advantages. (1)It puts extra pressure on the QB by forcing him to hit a moving target, instead of a stationary target or spot in a zone. (2)It frees more defenders to rush the QB, which reduces the QB’s options and read time. (3)It gives the DEF a better chance to make a play on the QB as well as the REC’s. (4)It allows DB’s to jam the REC at the line, which disrupts timing patterns and forces the REC to take more time getting into his route. (5)It takes better use of our secondary talent.

AN ISSUE OF COMMON SENSE, IF A DEF, DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE BIG PLAY, CONSISTENTLY GIVES UP THE BIG PLAY, WHY NOT GO TO THE DEF THAT GIVE YOU A BETTER CHANCE TO MAKE A BIG PLAY? DUH!

By vickisick

November 7, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

i agree with the posts about the o-line completely…i think they should be playing clabo based on the two games he played in. if you don’t hear about the o-lineman during the game that is a good thing mora….forney got called for two holding penalties and he was playing with a brace on…jesus are you kidding mora…o-line chemistry should not have been changed until evidence dictated it. this “you’ll not lose your starting job due to injury” garbage has got to stop.

his answers in his interview with dimino yesterday were the same old cliche answers. it’s getting old…i liked reeves a lot better. as much as i hate to say it…a change may be necessary. since the first year it’s been all downhill.

By Ryder

November 7, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

I agree let’s keep Mathis in prayer. Even if he never steps foot on the field again, much like Pollack and for any player who deals with these injuries, we need to pray for total healing and complete recovery.

First off let’s take a look at the halfway point to see how the Falcons are doing. Not by overanalyzing.

The secondary (sans Hall) needs to play less zone, because QBs such as Kitna has had success, especially on third down. Jimmy Williams needs to get more playing time, true, but in nickel situations where he’d be an asset due to his physical nature.

As for the defense overall, this will be a week to right the ship. Cleveland has two great threats in Winslow and Braylon Edwards. Donatell may need to have the secondary play close to the vest. Also, I do believe Jordan Beck needs more playing time. Hartwell has yet to show he has earned his start and with frequent injuries we may need to look elsewhere.

As for the offense, it comes down to two simple factors: catching the ball and remaining true to the running game. I think Atlanta would have come back if they stuck to what they do best, and that’s run the ball effectively. I do think they need to mix it up with Norwood & Dunn ala New England to keep both fresh for the latter stages of the game.

All this being said, I do agree that Mora must display better game management as the game goes on. Emotion is a great follower, but never a great leader. Even when the Falcons trail, don’t abandon what they’re best at, and I think Mora did that last week. As for Knapp, he needs to go downfield more to keep defenses guessing. A few simple tweaks and Atlanta will right the ship. I predict a 5-3 second half of the season.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

November 7, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

A person calls themselves “Falcon Fan” and predicts we win only two more games this season? Whatever, go cheer for the Saints. It’s amazing how we flip the script week in and week out. We beat Carolina and Tampa and we are world beaters. We lose to the Giants and all of sudden we suck. We take out the Steelers and Bengals and again we’re the talk of the NFL. Lose to Detroit and we, AGAIN, are the worst team ever. Look, this secondary has BEEN suspect. This didn’t just happen overnight. D-Hall is over-rated, mostly by himself. J-Webb is toast and sometimes I wonder what Crocker’s problem is. Milloy is the oldest guy out there and he is the only one with a clue. I’ve said it for two years, this secondary is nothing without some type of pass rush. Most of D-Hall INT’s since he has been here have come mostly because of the rush and not because of his so-called “athletic arrogance”. Sometimes I wish Mora had never used that term on Hall. It has gone straight to his head. Right now our formula is simple, keep the other team’s offense off the field by keeping drives alive, i.e. “CATCH THE @#$%ing BALL!!” Every game we’ve lost, we’ve had the dropsies, putting our porous secondary and no pass rush defense right back on the field. If we can cut back on the drops, we will be okay even with that weak zone crap that Donatell seems to be in love with despite the “4th and 26” vs Philly debacle that got him fired in Green Bay. Now I beginning to see why…..GO FALCONS

By chuck

November 7, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Mora, please coach your coaches!!!! I admit Vick poor decision-making on two turn-overs in Falcons territory was a shot in the foot. But still that Falcon secondary DEFENSE is playing horrendous in passing downs. Teams are picking up chunks of yardage in third and long. That should not happen on a regular basis. The blitzing schemes are so obvious that a high school QB can disect it!!!!! If the DEFENSE continue to play this way the FALCONS will not see post-season!!!!!! Blame Jim Mora, because he ignores the fact that Webster is the opposings QB’s lunch!!!!! Right now coach Mora is doing a terrible job!!!!! Vick threw the ball well enough Sunday for the WR’s to make catches. Why is Norwood not inserted during third quarters more regularly? Especially when Dunn is not producing. Where was Clabo Sunday? Let D-HALL play more man to man in 3rd and long. If D-HALL get beat, Oh well!!! It is unlikely that D-HALL will get beat on crucial third and long downs. Give help to other DBs. GET REAL, Mora….. All is not lost because if the Falcons play up to their true potential. The Falcon can beat any of the team remaining. STAY FOCUS ON THE BIGGER PICTURE!!!!!!!! SUPER BOWL

By monty

November 7, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

I’m telling you the dropped passes are caused because either our receivers can’t get any separation from the defenders or our offensive scheme sucks. When Vick is running out of time to stand in the pocket and the receivers have defenders draped over their back, Mike is going to have to throw that laser-beam and the guys simply can’t catch a ball thrown that hard from 20 yards or less. Watch the other good QBs in the league, they don’t have to throw it as hard as they can.Why? THeir receivers are open and they have time to throw it. Something you almost never see in our games is a receiver of “ours” wide open. I know if i was a receiver I wouldn’t want to catch one of Vicks 15 yard bullets, would you?

By chuck

November 7, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

I forgot to ask, when is Abraham expected back?

By dom

November 7, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES IF JIMMY WILLIAMS CANT MASTER THIS PUNK A$$ SCHEME. LET HIM MAN UP ON A RECIEVER WITH SAFTEY HELP OVER THE TOP, PRETTY SIMPLE. DOSENT DONNATELL LOOK LIKE A B!TCH ON THE SIDE LINE.

By chuck

November 7, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

When is Abraham expected to play? Hopefully, before NO come to town. If not Brees can have a barnfire QB rating.

By SAINTS

November 9, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

regardless who plays in his spot drew will pick your defense apart it looks good on paper but s** in reality

go saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!