Falcons

By stendec

September 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

COMLETELY DISAGREE WITH GRADES! PASS D - Flat F. What else did it deserve? RUSH D - D. Maybe if they will get worthless Keith Brooking the Hell out of there things might improve tremendously. PASS O - Flat F. Joey Harrington clone did not get job done! PASS RUSH - Flat F. No pressure whatsover on Buc QB. SPECIAL TEAMS - D. Only average at best. RUSHING O - Flat F. There was none! COACHING - D. Not failure only because I liked the way head coach stood up to the zebras on controversial call. Now, to another Falcon felon. Why the surprise? Falcons are nothing but thugs. Every one of them. Arrests are norm not exception! Character football players win. Quality football players always compete. Professional football players never quit. The Falcons meet none of those qualifications! Another Falcon arrested? Whoop-de-do! Hardly stop the presses material. Gutless wonders went belly-up in Florida. Failed to dent end zone. What a shock! New coaches dumb as dirt! New quarterback is a Joey Harrington clone. Defense is more porous than Kari Lehtonen. Owner is embarrassment to himself. Overall worthless franchise going nowhere. I have watched this disaster since the first kickoff of the first game. This bunch of prideless losers far worse than expansion Falcons. Ouch! Oh well, best to all. To Hell with Falcons!

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

September 16, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Stendec,

Now, tell us how you really feel!

By jeanE

September 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Orlando, you are doing a great job, I enjoy your articles so much more than Steve Wyche’s! Keep it up! I agree with your Falcons grades, I am very upset that they are not using Brian Finneran AT ALL as a wideout…he could really help a young QB out, he’s great over the middle. Why aren’t they taking advantage of Finn? He is so much more than a special teams player. I don’t know about Robinson, Jenkins is a veteran, not sure if Robinson passed him yet. This offense has to evolve to more than just a running offense, teams can stuff the run & then we’re toast. I am so disappointed in Lawyer Milloy, come on, you are better than that, aren’t you? How can anybody take you seriously as a team “leader” with that kind of example? Just so not what the Falcons need right now. Luckily we are playing a pitiful Kansas City team, we should (I say should) beat them. Let’s open up with passing game & use some 4 wideout sets, come on Mularkey!

By Jim H.

September 16, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

stendec, you need to pop a cold beer, put on some Jimmy Buffett, and try and get in a better mood dude. It was just a damn football game! This is a young rebuilding team…Hardly anybody is expecting playoffs this year. They just need be competitive, keep fighting, and keep trying to improve.

I pretty much agree with the grades. New coaching staff and system, lots of young players, playing a pretty good team on the road — It all adds up to some ugly games. But realistically if not for the turnovers they had a very good chance to win the game. I like the way Matt Ryan fought back the second half. The kid showed poise and is learning (I am a little concerned about his arm strength though). This team is way better than last years train wreck and is headed in the right direction. (I guess some pessimistic folks can’t see that though).

As far as Lawyer, he did a stupid thing. It’s called being human. Hopefully he learned from it and it will be over with.

By stendec

September 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

A wide open offense seems to be the only answer. That will pave way for runners. Rush first, pass second overrated. A defense gets on its heels if passing attack is clicking. Do not decry Chiefs too much. Falcons not talented enough to just throw helmets on field against ANYBODY and expect to win! Joey Harrington clone MUST get ball within vicinity of open receivers. If they drop it (like good old Roddy “Another Drop” White) oh well. A 2-1 start would be miraculous. A 1-2 beginning means wait until next year (or decade).

By stendec

September 16, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

By the way. A clarification. I love Falcons. Have since their inception decades ago. Despise untalented quitters wearing Falcon jerseys. No, they are not the same. The expansion Falcons had heart and grit! They lost frequently but did so with dignity. These scumbags just lose! I realize that is difficulr for younger fans to comprehend. This attitude is forged from decades of ineptitude. Tired of rebuilding excuse every damn season!

By Mychelfromatl

September 16, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

When I saw Matt Ryan throw the ball Sunday I immediately though he’d suffered a shoulder injury sometime during the week and the team did not inform the media. I said to myself “there is no way someone would draft a quarterback with the 3rd overall pick with that weak of an arm. Then I though Joey Harrington. Then the bright lights shined on me and after seeing him underthrow pass after pass, barely throwing the ball out of play on the sidelines(Am I the only one who noticed that?), It dawned on me that we have drafted the second coming of Joey Harrington. Just look at the facts: both are well spoken fresh face all-american kids that say all the right things, both gets the crap knocked out of them in the game 75% of the time, both played in weak college conferences, both were drafted 3rd overall, both was thrown in the fire to early, both have weak NFL arms that have been exposed and will be exploied weekly.(that’s why Matt Ryand interception count was so high last year..whenever he went deep..it got picked..research it for yourselfs) Now i’m calling it already, the Falcons will lose Sunday unless Matty Ice somehow develops the arm the Falcons PR tricked us into thinking he had. As I watched the Chargers vs. Broncos and Cowboys vs. Eagles their was something I envied about their QB’s all night…they could all zip the ball downfield. woow!! When does the Hawks Season tip-off(lord knows it can’t come fast enough)

By Mychelfromatl

September 16, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

When I saw Matt Ryan throw the ball Sunday I immediately though he’d suffered a shoulder injury sometime during the week and the team did not inform the media. I said to myself “there is no way someone would draft a quarterback with the 3rd overall pick with that weak of an arm. Then I though Joey Harrington. Then the bright lights shined on me and after seeing him underthrow pass after pass, barely throwing the ball out of play on the sidelines(Am I the only one who noticed that?), It dawned on me that we have drafted the second coming of Joey Harrington. Just look at the facts: both are well spoken fresh face all-american kids that say all the right things, both gets the crap knocked out of them in the game 75% of the time, both played in weak college conferences, both were drafted 3rd overall, both was thrown in the fire to early, both have weak NFL arms that have been exposed and will be exploied weekly.(that’s why Matt Ryand interception count was so high last year..whenever he went deep..it got picked..research it for yourselfs) Now i’m calling it already, the Falcons will lose Sunday unless Matty Ice somehow develops the arm the Falcons PR tricked us into thinking he had. As I watched the Chargers vs. Broncos and Cowboys vs. Eagles their was something I envied about their QB’s all night…they could all zip the ball downfield. woow!! When does the Hawks Season tip-off(lord knows it can’t come fast enough)

By Marco Miller

September 16, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Considering the circumstances, I think Falcons and Matt Ryan held it together. I think Matt needs to relax and see the field. There were times he was moving in the pocket and looked frantic. He did settle down and put some decent drives together, just couldn’t move it in the red zone. I think Falcons O-line has to execute. There were times defensive ends were blowing by them around the edge right off the line. I do appreciate Ryan’s fight though. He hung in there and delivered some great passes. I think the measure of success for this team shouldn’t be on wins/losses. Any team that is at the start of growth will lack that consistent execution, especially when playing from behind on the road. We did see some good things in the Tampa Bay loss and that’s what is important, because those good things will multiply with every game under their belt. The Falcons are going to be fine. I believe we’re off to a great start. I can’t wait for Sunday. Let’s go, Falcons!

By It's Still Early

September 16, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

There is a lot of football to be played. The Falcons have NEVER played well in Tampa Bay. “Matty Ice” is now 1-1. He looked great against a horrible Detroit team, he looked below average against a OK Tampa team. It’s called on-the-job training people!! Don’t throw in the towel quite yet!

By sickfan

September 16, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Why are we throwing this season away by playing a Rookie. It is not necessary. We are a decent team, and Chris Redman should be starting until the rookie claims the job or Redman gets injured. BTW, Redman clearly has a better arm the Ryan - frankly I am shocked that we would take a guy with an arm that weak with the 3rd pick. I think Matt can be successful because he is smart, but his arm is going to be a big problem. (Note, DJ Shockely would probably also have more success this year - his arm is very strong).

By mountain_jim

September 16, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

I also am concerned about Matt’s apparent arm strength. 4 or 5 of the ‘throw it away’ passes were such waffles they barely got out of bounds. He could have had 5 interceptions. He seems to only get arm on his throws when he is running forward or can really step up into it. His back foot throws were really weak.

Agree they should try using Finn in red zone.

By Ryder

September 16, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Since Schultz’s column closed up so early, this would be as good as time as any to follow up on Atlanta’s performance.

First of all stendec, STFU!

Second, I think Atlanta’s coaching staff has done a better job of teaching this team how to make second half adjustments in their two games so far. Personally I believe that outside of the soon-to-be-released Jamaal Anderson missing that tackle on Graham’s TD run, Atlanta has learned how to keep the other team’s offense at bay.

Also, we all knew going into this game that Atlanta was not on Tampa’s level, even with Griese subbing for Garcia, so it could’ve been a much worse result. Yet Atlanta climbed back and made it a one score game.

Does that mean they didn’t do so well in the beginning? No, they did start off horribly, from Matt Ryan to the secondary, all of them. Yet i’m encouraged by the fact that they are not going to allow themselves to be crushed in any game even after a bad start.

I believe that soon these near misses will turn into victories going forward.

By boog

September 16, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Stendec

“LIGHTEN UP FRANCES!”

By JHouse

September 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Falcon fan since the beginning and I long for the past linebackers like Nobis, Brezina, Hanson. Brookings has always been overrated and now is too slow to make up for his mistakes in reads. Time for him to go.

By Ryder

September 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Another thing: I watched Dallas in 1989 during Troy Aikman’s 1-15 season, and there were games where he looked like he never belonged on the football field, yet he stuck in there, and looked where he ended up.

Also, Matt Ryan is a Philly guy, so he knows a thing or two about dealing with hard knocks and getting back up. I believe he and the rest of the Falcon faithful will be pleased with the end result.

By Len

September 16, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Coaching should mention an F for game plan. We know Tampa Bay had their own QB problems, yet we came out throwing against the Bucs and we saw what happened. Even though the box was loaded, we should have ran 3 times up the middle, punted and played field position all day.

We were too impatient. It was a terrible game plan to try and beat the loaded box with Ryan….I also have to agree, his arm looked very suspect, how could they?

By SHOTYME

September 16, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

My biggest concern is Matt Ryan’s arm. He just cant seem to throw the deep ball. Every team watching film of the Tampa game is taking note of this. If Ryan cant throw deep, then all the opponent has to do is stack the line, focus on stopping the run and leave the receivers in one on one coverage. If the Falcons coaching staff dont come up with a solution for Mattys lack of arm strength, then it could make for a long 5 and 11 season if that.

By BE TRUE

September 16, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Stendec——your an idiot!!!1

This is a young team in rebuilding mode. I too have pulled for this team since the late 60’s. This coaching staff is doing a great job with these guys and to tell you the truth I was expecting no more than 4-5 wins this year.

You call yourself a fan then quit harping on all of the negative and look at the positives. Ryan took a beating and hung in there something that your lover Harrington would have never done. Quit whining you sissy or get Joey to make you feel better.

By JB

September 16, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

I have real concern for Ryans’ arm strength say past 30 yards or so…it really looks weak. The long passes he threw were high and way off target, kind of like a high school QB. I guess they looked at him at the combines ?

By Mychelfromatl

September 16, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

You heard it here first…The Falcons Will Nearly Destroy This Kids Career. There is no way he should be starting right now. No Way!! They are basically throwing away this season when they could be playing Shockley or Redman who is better suited to play. Now the tapes out on the kid, every team from here on out will be loading up 8-9 players in the box against us forcing us to throw down field in which the tapes now show he can’t. Who do we have to thank for bring this to the light..Good ol “Monte Kiffen” who decided to pull up his old college tapes to show why he threw so many interceptions in the ACC. Just imagine how many it would have been in the SEC! The Falcons should have built their offensive and defensive line first. Question: Why isn’t Monte Kiffen a Head Coach in this league?

By Rick

September 16, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Do none of you idiots remember the first pass of this career that traveled 20 yards on a rope to Jenkins? Or the bomb he threw at least 40 yards to White later in the game?

No ones arm is going to be as strong as Vick’s was, and arms like Brady and Manning’s aren’t easy to find. Matt Ryan has very solid arm strength. I love all the crap people talk about a rookie who has his team 1-1 right now.

By Bryant

September 16, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Rick, I agree with your comment 100%. Ryan may not have the cannon of a Favre or Manning, but his arm is not as weak as some people would like to believe. He can make the deep throw, and he will make plenty of them during his career.

By terrell barron

September 16, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Yall better stop sleeping on Kansas City. They’re DESPERATE for a win. They still have LJ, and Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez are too big and too strong for our smaller cb’s. We SHOULD win the game, but NEVER take a team too lightly. As far as the Tampa game goes, I saw a team with heart. Last years team would have folded at halftime. We were still in this game in the 4th quarter. You cant ask too much more than that from such a young team. One more thing, if Jamal’s sorry a* would’nt have missed that tackle on Earnest Graham’s long run, we might have pulled the upset.

By 1eyedJack

September 16, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

It’s hard to be accurate or show “arm strength” with big fat linemen in your face and draped all over you. Throw out all of the 7-step drops and most of the 5-step stuff. Timing patterns and 3-step drops until our line play improves and we get the defense out of the box.

By DMac

September 16, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

This is a bunch of Malarky. How do concussions help a QB grow. Payten Manning played in a Max protect offense most of his first year and they kept him upright and he developed some confidence. If our O-line allows that many hits he wont last 5 weeks. Forget the 4 or 5 wide formations…There goes the 70+ million. A real concern is his arm strength. That was evident. McNabb throws rockets monday night and Romo had some zip also. If he doesn’t Have zip, this will be on The New GM. Max protect all year, Run and pass. We don’t have the D-line or O line. Without Grady Jackson we are vunerable…

By Lloyd

September 16, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Excuses excuses excuses just keep on coming up with them. Do you remember the AJC article “Trust your eyes” this is what Matt has been doing all along. If you dont have the deep threat the safeties will move up to stop the run. Jennings touch down was a ten yard pass with a fifty yard RAC. Matt had 72 million reasons to try and redeem himself.

By KneeJerk

September 16, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Unless he is cut, D.J Shockley’s name should not be mentioned again on this blog. He is not in our plans. He played basically one year of college ball and made the team not because he was good, but because somehow Harrington managed to perform worse. I wish they would go ahead and cut him so the UGA fans could go back to watching NASCAR on Sundays and stop bringing up this Arena-caliber QB’s name on an NFL blog.

By saint

September 16, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Agree about Ryan’s arm strength. After watching the Cowboys-Eagles game, I saw how it is supposed to be done. I hope there is a way for him to bulk up in the offseason, but we are stuck with 20 yarders for now. DJ has a better arm, and with some snaps he would improved his accuracy. I would have liked to have seen DJ in the fourth qtr.

Off subject, but the players should know the police hang out around bars and strip joints, waiting for patrons to exit and get into their cars; and I thought 77 mph was the normal speed on I-85!

By A_Town_Down

September 16, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Rick & Bryant must listen to game on the radio.

Ryan fist TD was a ten yard (5 yards from the LOS) pass made on a 3-step drop. There are no 20 yard patterns on a 3-step drop.

If Ryan continues to struggle on 3rd downs and in the red zone. Smith will have no other choice but to bench him.

Ryan’s arm is no stronger than Pennington’s even after two shoulder surgeries. Ryan will throw 2 more picks next week, even against two rookie corners.

Also, no one has pointed-out that Ryan will tee-off against Glenn Dorsey this week. Also, our defense will face Larry Johnson, Tony Gonzalez, and Dwayne Bowe. I think Brooking and Grimes will have a LONG sunday. Uhhh-Ohhh!!

By leftcoastfan

September 16, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

did anyone see that play where ike hilliard got credited with a first down spot when his knee touched ground two yards before the first down marker. that was on the second score that made the game sort of out of reach.

i will say that running the ball in the red zone should become a common sight. too many wasted ops in the red zone with passing the ball. the team showed toughness late, and should not be as dissappointed in the outcome. they fought hard, and didnt give up.

if vick was qb, he would have quit in the first half. vick was always a quitter, and couldbt focus during crunch times, cuz he was gambling and killing dogs.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

September 16, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Looks like things are going along well today. We’ll definitely get to Glenn Dorsey this week. Not too sure how he’s doing. The Raiders did rush for 300 yards on the Chiefs last week with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush gashing them. From afar, the Chiefs appear to be a hot mess!

By ouch

September 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

what were your pre-season expectations of this team?

we have a rookie QB who needs time to develop. TB showed him how a real NFL team plays defense. I was very encouraged with his 2nd half.

overall, team is weak but MUCH better than anything we had last year.

relax 5-11 is tough to handle but going 9-7 next year will be proof we are heading in the right direction.

By KneeJerk

September 16, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Only Chief I’m worried about is Johnson. Who’s going to get Bowe and Gonzalez the ball? KC’s D-Line was gashed by the juggernaut known as the Raiders. For fantasy geeks like me, you gotta start Turner this week. I look for a big game from him and Jerious. The only person that would like to see Shockley in the 4th quarter is Monte Kiffin. Shockley was incredibly errant in exhibition games against 3rd stringers, and you want to see him against Tampa? Seriously……..

By Settle Down

September 16, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Did we really expect the kid to win an MVP his rookie year on a rebuilding team? The Falcons will probably win 5 to 7 games and we should all be very happy with that. Young players learn through mistakes. Anyone see where early success got DeSean Jackson last night? He’s probably still running laps and stairs for that bonehead goalline play. Ryan will be fine and so will the Birds.

By A_Town_Down

September 16, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

The coaching is the biggest improvement. They scheme and make excellent adjustments. Orlando, I think the coaching staff should have gotten a B. Van Gorder is limited in his ability to dial up blitzes because Abraham and Milloy are the only reliable guys for pressuring the QB.

I like where the offensive line is headed… I thought Baker would be a BUST but he seems to be our best lineman when healthy. Our receivers struggled with Ryan in the 1st half.

For KC defense, Dorsey played well and consistently pushed Russell out of the pocket. However, KC’s defensive weakness is their DEs at the point of attack. Tamba Hali is an excellent pass rusher but is undersized for anything else. Therefore, the Raiders consistently attacked their edges.

The huge contrast for us is that DeMarcus Russell although inaccurate, has a BIG arm. Herm Edwards rarely pressed his corners and forced Russell to find holes in the zone. Against us, Edwards will have the luxury of using his corners in run support against Turner and Norwood.

By CA

September 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Well here I am, late to the thread (as per usual this week).

This is another OUTSTANDING Thread by all of the posters.

I emailed D and will now copy and post it here.

This is what I saw. Game # 1 vs. Detroit Ryan’s eyes were a steady and determined solitary focus.

Game #2 vs. Tampa Bay 1st half, Ryan’s eyes were big as silver dollars and were aimlessly roaming the field between the huddle break and lining up.

In Cave Diving we call this Perceptual Narrowing.

You lose the ability to anticipate and your decision making diminishes.

Its all in the Eyes Baby!

Now the second half Ryan has regained composure but Chuckies plan was Too far embedded into the game.

I will bet you a cold Coca Cola that Gruden had indeed anticipated this from Matt Ryan, however Gruden also knows that he will not have the same fortune The next time.

I am not blasting anybody, it just is what it is for a Rookie.

Ryan needed this and Chuckie gave it to him.

Hell I should send Gruden a Case of Coca Cola’s. This was the best loss that could have been handed to Ryan. (Notice how p** Matt was at losing?)

Hang tight everybody, The Team and Coaches are in the Learning to win phase, and they will have it sorted by mid season.

The Chiefs are coming to Atlanta desperate for a Win. They will be fighting us tooth and nail for it too.

Cheers CA

By A_Town_Down

September 16, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

For anyone who watched the MNF game, you clearly saw that the NFL is a QB league.

Settle Down, you’re one of those “intangibles are everything, moral victory” fans who doesn’t buy tickets. Bump that, I’ll take DeSean Jackson in a hot second. Honestly, no conclusion can be made that Ryan will be fine YET.

By froggy

September 16, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Would love D. Orlando to find out this week: what’s the story on the knee brace on Ryan’s left knee? When mini camp began we were told it was simply a college practice habit — a preventative that was SOP for quarterbacks at Boston College. Well, he’s still wearing it, and in games as well. I’ve never seen a QB wear one unless he has had damage to the knee. It’d be interesting to get ther real story, and whether it is affecting his delivery. No, Ryan is never going to have the kind of gun that McNabb put on display last nite — and Donovan’s arm now looks dramatically stronger than in past years when he had leg injuries. Matt’s problem in Tampa wasn’t really velocity, it was inaccuracy and obvious confusion at what Kiffin was throwing at him.

Montana’s arm was no stronger than Ryan’s, if as strong, but look what he accomplished by being accurate and on time with the ball. Based on arm strength alone, Doug Williams, Bartkowski and Bert Jones would all be in the HOF. They aren’t. It’s nice to have the gun, but there’s a lot more to the position.

By Micah

September 16, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Did any of these critics really see the same game that I saw? I mean really did you? Matt’s a rookie. The chances he didn’t take in the redzone were because he was trying to be careful. That part of his game will develop. Whoever said his throws off his back leg are weak, well duh! That’s every QB. They teach you not to throw off your back foot. That really was a dumb comment. The way some of you Falcon fans talk (Stendec) you would’ve thought we didn’t stay in the game at all. I was very impressed by Ryan. After the slow start he got his composure. The defense wasn’t great but it kept us in the game until that big run at the end.

10 of Tampa’s 24 came off the ints and 7 came from the big run. Yes we lost but we gave Tampa 17 points basically, and we showed that even when Matt was forced to pass he accepted the challenge and did fairly well.

Last time I checked Peyton Manning didn’t fair well in his rookie season and look at what has happened. Things are only going to get better especially for our QB. Any other rookie would’ve gotten 5 ints because they would try to force things. This is why people like guys on PTI say ATL is not a sports town because there is no support only critics

By ray

September 16, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Guys be serious. We on this blog can take the Chiefs as seriously or not as we choose. All that matters is how our coaching staff and players take them. I’m a hundred percent sure that Mike Smith, his staff, and this team are taking each and every game very seriously. No way is the attitude of this team indicative of the attitudes on this blog, or vice versa. No way.

Stendec, I realize you’re pi$$ed about a number of things that this team is or is not. Lord knows we all are. But there have been a lot of changes. This is a different team. Give ‘em a shot. Or don’t. But they’re not the group of useless thugs you say they are. By the way, (and this is speaking from personal, professional experience). DUI is not a thug-only violation/crime/infraction. Well paid, white collar workers are some of the worst offenders, and even outnumber those of the supposed “thug” class on occasion. They’re also the ones who have the cheese to get out of it…just sayin’ bro. Just sayin’.

A team like this has a lot to prove. I don’t think they’ll lose sight of that, win or lose. And the coaching staff won’t let them.

By ray

September 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Micah, I have to agree. Ryan was composed. His teammates said he was composed. He took a lot of hits, and he’s a rookie. Better yet, the coaching staff came up with plays that helped get him going in the second half. It’s called “adjustments” for those who don’t get it.

He didn’t look bad throwing the ball while running forward through the pocket to avoid the defense. Anybody who expected him to be a world beater in the first few games (and really the first year) wasn’t realistic in their expectations. Having said that, and having watched the mistakes Ryan made, I’ll have to say that he won’t lose the game very many times. And once he’s learned a bit, he’ll start winning some games.

CA, good post. Called it straight on.

Fantasy league guys kill me….some comments are valid. Others are the height of ridiculousness…

By Birdy

September 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

The run defense will always struggle now that teams have figured out all they need to do is ‘Follow Highway 56 straight to paydirt.’

Keith Brooking is thoroughly washed up and teams are now running towards him — * especially when he is the MLB in the NICKEL FORMATION * — at every possible opportunity.

And if you tape the games, check out his terribly lackluster efforts on the two runs by Dunn and Graham at approximately 12:00 of the second quarter leading up to the Graham TD run.

He engages blockers softly, tentatively with no intention to shed the block. He is simply trying to avoid contact so he can continue to milk a big contract. Then he jumps on the pile to try to steal a 1/2 tackle credit. Compare Brooking’s effort on run plays with that of Lawyer Milloy.

Lots of you journalists have access to video of the games. Just check out Keith “Highway 56” Brooking. If you think he is playing good football, then blow your credibility by saying he is.

Finally, please stop asking him for his locker room reaction to things because his play is embarrassing. Hearing him spew his bogus crap only incenses knowledgable fans.

He is Jon Gruden’s best pawn since he went to Tampa.

By Vick Supporter

September 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

no vick = losing season

By Micah

September 16, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I’m going to be honest, I was one of the people who didn’t want Ryan as our QB. I first wanted Shockley when I saw Vick probably would not get another chance to be the QB, but even though Matt doesn’t have the same speed as the other 2 I was very happy with how he played. He was taught how to play QB, and while there are some things to wonder I feel like he’s going to be the QB we’ve wanted for a long time as far as the passing game goes. Everybody, including me, overrated arm strength, because if a QB is accurate enough they can throw the ball 20 yards or even less down field and catch the receiver in stride and that turns into a 60 yard pass play. The great QBs and complete WRs make a living in the short to mid range passing game.

By Maniac is accurate

September 16, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Does Manny Aurora just hang out in Atlanta strip clubs waiting for NFL players to come in and sign them up? Didn’t know lawyer and Pacman had anything in common.

By Boo Boo

September 16, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hopefully, a 40 - 12 home loss to the Chiefs will slap some sense into Mike Smith, Dimhoff and tinker toy owner Blank. An NFL team is IMPOTENT without a quarterback. Last year’s team was IMPOTENT because Slomoe Harrington and Pegleg Byron were older versions of rookie Matt. The 2003 team was IMPOTENT because Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner could not pretend to be Mike Vick. Last year, the Falcons actually played like they could win in a shootout (still no real defense out there folks) when Redmon got acclimated under center. Redmon acted like he knew what it was like to play quarterback in an NFL game, BECAUSE HE IS NOT A ROOKIE. Matt Ryan has a higher percentage chance of turning into a Ryan Leaf if he is left out there to die week end, week out. He got lesson number one in “How to lose in the NFL,” and if the Falcon ownership wants to end up thinking it invested $72 million wisely, they will withdraw Ryan from that course. Tampa Bay and Professor Marty Kiffinstuff have shown the NFL world that if a team playing the Falcons puts 8 in the box, shuts down the run, and plays cover two, Matt Ryan will collapse and miss receivers. Wait till the Falcons play a team with a real quarterback of their own. Ryan will need a straightjacket and/or a stretcher before the season is over. Guess who will start then?

By CA

September 16, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Froggy: As the knee brace goes, Peyton has worn one for as long as I can remember. If Matt can run with the thing on then I am all for anything that will help to Prolong ANY Players career. An Ounce of Prevention = A Career!

Remember the days when the QB’s did not wear Flak Jackets? Remember Dan Pastorini? How many Ribs did he lose from all of the brutal shots to the ribs he took? Several!

In retrospect you can bet a Case of Cokes to a box of Kraft products that Tom Brady wishes he had a knee brace on 2 weeks ago. He will the remainder of his career.

Ray: Appreciate the comment. In recent years the 2 Masterminds in football clearly have been Bill Walsh and Bill Belichick.

Everybody else just has to plan it straight ahead by focusing on pure fundamentals.

Mike Smith is indeed a Hard Nosed Coach, and he is standing up for his players. What a Combination!

Lurk Mode = 1

By vic byrdsong

September 16, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

It would be nice just to have a pro caliber football team in this city. Sundays play was an embarrassment to the fans. Please put together a team that can win consistently.

By ARM STRENGTH?

September 16, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

If Ryan’s arm strength is a concern, then why doesn’t Coach Mularkey go to more of a dink and dunk/move the chains type of game plan and focus on the running game? I’m not a real big fan of Daryl Lamonica type football anyway because there’s less chance for success unless you’ve got that type of QB.

By Charles

September 16, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

I, too, wonder if Ryan should be starting right now but hoepfully he’ll learn from the Tampa loss and progress as the season does. More impotantly, I wonder why Brooking is still allowed on the field and why Anderson isn’t benched.

By bmag

September 16, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

i’m tired of hearing that dj shockley only started one year in college-blame that on the coaching,by the way where is the other guy who started ahead of him at georgia? i don’t think dj is ready to be a starting quarterback in the nfl, but i’d like to see him in a different situation where he would at least get a fair chance.

By Charles Johnson

September 16, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Did this clown just copy Yahoo.com’s team report? He stole their material, and tweaked the grades slightly!

What a loser!

Isn’t this illegal?!!!

By Long-of-tooth

September 16, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Where are all the “realists” that were saying that Ryan—a rookie—was going to have his ups and downs? The important thing is that each time he got knocked down, he got up, dusted himself off, and went on with business. I wish it had been better but the kid showed heart. That—along with his talent—will make him a winner. Take it to the bank.

By Rod

September 16, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Politics. Ryan has a weak arm that is not NFL calaibar. It may not be politiclly correct but DJ has the best arm on the team.

By Bryant

September 16, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Some people have come on these blogs saying that Ryan may end up going the same route as Ryan Leaf, and I just don’t see that happening. Leaf’s biggest problem wasn’t his terrible play on the field; it was his horrible attitude. If he had approached things differently, he may have turned out to be fairly decent, but he turned off a lot of coaches and fans with his attitude and work ethic. From what I’ve seen of Matt Ryan, his attitude is the polar opposite.

I’ll admit to not being too thrilled when we drafted Ryan because I thought we should have used early picks to beef up both lines, but after it’s all said and done, I think it was the right pick.

By School Marm

September 16, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Ryan may have a week arm that is not NFL calaibar, but barring multiple injurees DJ will never be the QB of the Falcons. Now Rod, let’s both of us use our spell check.

By Henley

September 16, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Two things to start with: 1. Inspired by Jason Sobel’s running blogs during PGA Tour events, I think I will start doing a “play-by-play” blog for the Falcons’ away games. As many of you know, I am a die-hard Falcons fan, and while I am at all of the home games, I usually have a “running-of-the-mouth” blog for the few glorious hours that I am in the stands. However, after watching Monte Kiffin thoroughly frustrate me, Matt Ryan, and the Falcons’ offense for 3 hours, I have learned that I need a release. 2. Matt Ryan is a real man. I say this with cringing excitement, but Matty took his licks and popped back to his feet faster than one of those blow-up punching bags I had as a kid (you know the one with sand in the bottom that you would hit as hard as you could, turn around to show off, and the damn thing would pop you back in the face as soon as you turned back around to it). Matt Ryan took some knocks this game, but he got right back up. It may take him a few (wishful thinking - probably more) games to learn how to “pop” the defense back, but with a young, growing line, two ultra-talented backs, and a set of four wide receivers that I will boldly state is one of the most under-rated from top to bottom in the NFL, Ryan will learn how to get the last laugh.

Ok, enough with the delay. We all knew this was coming. Every Falcons’ fan that has been kicked in the go-nads time after time after time knew this was coming. The combination of Monte Kiffin’s genius, the Falcons’ lack of experience, Warrick Dunn showing why he may never retire, and Brian Griese’s efficiency (yeah, I can’t believe I just wrote that either) proved to be too much on Sunday.

How Monte Kiffin does not have a head coaching job in the NFL, I will never know. I am convinced he just doesn’t want one. I think he is one of the few people in professional football who would rather stay behind the scenes than be out in front. While he has made many an experienced quarterback look foolish, I’m sure he looked at Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ young offensive line like the volcano insurance salesman looked at Peter Griffin … it may take a minute or two, but I’m going to take this guy for all he’s worth.

Matt Ryan took his lumps, but he was (somehow) able to keep the Falcons’ in the game. The only two completions in his first 9 pass attempts were to the defense, but the Falcons’ quarterback kept his cool and led his team on drives that ended in the Tampa Bay red zone 3 times after that. (By the way, can anyone explain to me, with one of the two starting Tampa bay cornerbacks out injured, why Brian Finneran was not in the game with the Falcons in the red zone?) After throwing those 2 interceptions, getting sacked 4 times, and doing his best Rocky Balboa impression by getting back up every time, you have to be impressed by his attitude when he said, “Obviously, you don’t want to start 0-for-9 and throw two interceptions. But you’ve got to keep battling. Everybody on our team did that. You’ve got to love that.” Falcons’ fans, you want a leader? I give you your leader, Mattimus Ryanelious!

side note - I challenge anyone who watched the game yesterday to tell me that they would not want to play football for Coach Mike Smith. Smith made me want to put on a set of shoulder pads, run out on the field, and go tackle someone. Needless to say, I would have been the anti-Matt Ryan when I didn’t pop back up off the ground, but I would have had a smile on my face knowing that Coach Smith would be going crazy on the sidelines. The fans got to witness first-hand what the post-Petrino era will be like. The Smitty and Matty era will be full of brutally honest answers, a blue-collar approach with endless accountability, and Smitty’s “Pop Warner-ish” enthusiasm that borders on fanaticism which allows Falcons’ fans to live vicariously through a white-haired head coach on the sideline who looks more like Al Lewis’ Grandpa character from The Munsters than an NFL Head Coach. If you didn’t get to see Coach Smith go bonkers on the sideline during the game (when the refs confused two penalty calls on what will no-doubt be one of the craziest plays all year long - which included a long completion, a fumble, an illegal forward lateral, a rugby scrum, and a cheap shot on Matt Ryan), please find it on YouTube. It will be worth the search.

I will take this loss as a growing pain, as part of the Eyasses’ (that’s what you call a bunch of young Falcons - I’m not making that one up) learning curve, but I will make this argument all year long. If the Falcons have less running attempts (28) than they do passing attempts (33), we are in dire trouble. This is not the Falcons’ strength … yet. Give the O-line this year to get mature and the receivers a year to learn this system and Matt Ryan’s tendencies, and this Falcons’ team could prove to be very lethal in the coming years. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood can break a long one at any point, and the combination of Roddy/Jenkins/Laurent/Harry has been pretty impressive so far. The Falcons are growing, and with re-newed leadership and optimism on the field, it is only a matter of time before they take flight.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

September 16, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Charles,

Don’t appreciate being called a clown. These are my grades. Yahoo has their own stuff via SportsXchange. This is not the circus.

By Reapics

September 16, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Laurent Robinson is way better than Michael Jenkins. Ryan was off but he settled down so give him a break. He is a rookie, he will have bad games. The big issue is without John Abraham we have no d-line men really dominant. The secondary sucked the bucs were wide open. The worst was without Sam Baker in the line up the o-line looked like the same from last year. They can’t block anything!

By Ryder

September 16, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Henley

I like your assessment on Coach Smith. He is a lot like Dan Reeves in that guys really want to win for him. He seems like the honest, no-nonsense approach that players can relate to.

Also, what a lot of people didn’t see is how in spite of Ryan being the victim of some Tampa cheap shots, he kept on fighting. THAT’S the kind of QB that a team will rally around.

He will make better decisions in the red zone and he has something that Harrington, Shockley nor Vick ever had, the ability to lead in the huddle.

By CA

September 16, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Oh He!!!

I was going to lurk but Charles dragged me out.

First off WTG Darryl !

Second: This “Charles” guy has to be Robinson from yahoo? Say it aint so :D)))

Third I have read articles on the AJC well before they appeared on Boohoo.

So to me Charles post is a real laugher!

Darryl Ledbetter is the most straightforward and unbiased Sports writer that the AJC has.

Yo Charles Go Stink up on of Bradleys Blogs.

We discuss Football on Darryls Blogs.

OMG did I just flame somebody ?

By Falc Fan

September 16, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

D. Orlando, Can we get your thoughts on Jamaal Anderson’s progress (or lack thereof). I was disheartened by his comments on Graham’s big run where he admitted he was looking for help in containing him. As a DE, Containment is HIS job. As a 1st round pick, making plays is HIS job. He didn’t admit any fault which he should have, he just deflected blame to teammates by saying he thought he had help. It should’ve been an easy play for him, and he couldn’t handle it. I have no faith in him ever turning the corner, I don’t see the intensity, mindset, or the ability for him to do so. I almost fully agree with the grades, but I think the rushing O should get a D along with the passing O.

By froggy

September 16, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

CA: Your points are well taken about preventing injuries. However, and not to bore everyone with a discussion about knee braces, Peyton injured his knee his senior year at UT, this from the Indianapolis Star:

“As a senior at the University of Tennessee, he suffered a ruptured bursa sac in his right knee in a 1997 Southeastern Conference championship game win over Auburn. He spent a few days in the hospital, then played in the Volunteers’ Orange Bowl loss to Nebraska.”

So it’s reasonable to think he wore a brace in the NFL because of past injury.

Almost without exception every college O lineman wears braces, and hardly any NFL O lineman do, for a simple reason — it limits mobility in a pro game built on immense speed. If Ryan is wearing his in games strictly as a preventative measure that’s fine, but it will slow him down a bit, and it IS highly unusual for a QB with no reported history of knee issues. Just makes me curious as to whether there’s a previous unreported injury we don’t know about. ‘Nuff said.

By Falcon Freddie

September 16, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

What’s the line on Sunday’s Game with KC?

By stringer63

September 16, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

I’m with Falc Fan - what’s up with Anderson? He shows nothing in terms of progress or intensity. Does he ever turn the corner and make the grade? I see the intensity in Bierman (sp?). He has the drive of Kerney and should get a shot to make an impact.

By Spud Webb

September 16, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Henley & CA great posts. agree with all you two said.

By Ryan

September 16, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

The line on the Falcons opened with Atlanta by 4 and its now up to Atlanta by 5 1/2. Croyle and Huard are both listed as Questionable.

By Ryan

September 16, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

The line on the Falcons opened with Atlanta by 4 and its now up to Atlanta by 5 1/2. Croyle and Huard are both listed as Questionable.

By Ryan

September 16, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

The line on the Falcons opened with Atlanta by 4 and its now up to Atlanta by 5 1/2. Croyle and Huard are both listed as Questionable.

By The Original (and former) Falcon4Life

September 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

All of you criticizing DJ Shockley by stating how bad he looked against 3rd stringers fail to realize (or are deliberately being misleading) that he was also playing WITH 3rd stringers…the same guys that are bagging your groceries at Publix now. I’ve never seen DJ (or even Harrington-as bad as he is) throw a ball into the ground 5yds from himself and backwards at that…SUPERIOR ARM STRENGTH AND POISE!!! Boy, can this guy read a defense!!!! LOL!!!! Please someone explain how all of his supporters are overlooking this huge display of DUMBNESS and FEAR!!!

By Falcon Freddie

September 16, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

It’s too early to tell exactly what kind of Coach Smith will pan out to be, but even at this early stage, he seems light years ahead of Jim Mora Jr. and Petrino. For those that keep saying Matt Ryan does not have a weak arm, take a look at the game towards the end with about 5:26 left in the game and Roddy White was WIDE OPEN in the end zone waving both his hands and Matt Ryan didn’t have the arm to throw back across the field. We settled for another field goal. I wonder why Terry Bradshaw, who has been very vocal in the past on Atlanta QBs was silent during half time Sunday?

By Bryant

September 16, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Falcon Freddie, the reason Ryan didn’t make that throw is because he was running to his right and would have had to throw across his body to the left. Many a QB with cannon arms have been picked off by doing that, especially in that area of the field.

I notice that people are getting on Terry Bradshaw for not criticizing Matt Ryan’s play on Sunday, yet always taking shots at Mike Vick. You’re not realizing that most of his criticism came in Vick’s later years, when he should have progressed a lot further than he did. Ryan is a rookie, so he’s going to look good in some games and bad in others.

By KANSAS CITY

September 16, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Well if Tampa Bay can do it - so can we! Glenn Dorsey has not done so well thus far, but with the “lead foot” “powder puff” qb you are throwing at us, we should get on the right track.

KC 27 ATL 9

By saint

September 16, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Selecting QBs must be a really tough job. I watched NE Matt Cassel in his first start and he looked good 16/23,165yds/0/0, and his background was an eyeopener, in that he had a great tenure at Chatsworth High, and attended, but didn’t play ball at USC. Since Dimitroff joined New England in 2002, and Cassel joined them in 2005, TD must have had a hand in his selection, so it turned out ok. So TD must see a lot more in Ryan than some of us do, and I hope he does well.

By Leaderof the pack

September 16, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

I think the coaching staff showed they had no intention on winning. A rookie quarterback need not learn his hard lessons by playing an entire game. Two able backups were available to possibly change the pace of the game. Better coaching decisions could have brought more control to the game.

By frank 316

September 16, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter: Go away! Vic is not coming back to the Falcons get it through your thick brainless head. To be honest I hope and doubt the guy will ever play again. This would make lots or people :)

By frank 316

September 16, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter: Go away! Vic is not coming back to the Falcons get it through your thick brainless head. To be honest I hope and doubt the guy will ever play again. This would make lots or people :)

By froggy

September 16, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

You knew this was coming. TB is a dirty team, and a game suspension at least represents real money to these guys…

Bucs cornerback suspended for helmet hit on Ryan The Associated Press Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Tampa — Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie cornerback Elbert Mack was suspended one game without pay by the NFL on Tuesday for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

The league said the flagrant violation of player safety rules was the second in three games for the undrafted free agent…

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

September 16, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Y’all see where Martrez Milner got waived this evening. Wonder if he’ll land somewhere else in the league. Will call his agent tomorrow and see if his phone has been ringing.

By Steve T

September 16, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

TD has said Rayan was not his choice. If your QB can not throw over 30 yards, your team is in trouble. This is the NFL which stand for Not For Long.

By Mike45

September 16, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

It seems to me alot of falcon fans are stuck on stupid.Matt Ryan is overated.The Guy does’nt have a bit of arm strenth.I heard someone say that he’s the next Joey Harrinton and I could not agree anymore.Sunday was a digrace I do not want to here any lame excuses because he’s a rookie I EXPECT MORE FROM A 72 MILLION DOLLAR MAN.BENCH HIS A*.

By bigeasy830

September 16, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe the AJC printed Malloy’s police report. Did they print the police report in the Headley case, or in the rape incident that happened at Patrick Kearney’s house case. What’s really going on ATL, Malloy yelled at the 72 million dollar QB and now it’s time to teach him a lesson time. Ok, he was DUI and he was wrong, But did they have to embarrass the man and his family by writing that he was leaving a strip club. What, is the AJC trying to compare him to Adam “Pacman” Jones. Come on folks it looks like a C.O.N.spiracy. I have written many times in these blogs that a persons race is irrelevant in many cases, that sometimes it is what it is. But, I am not crazy, I know there is still racism in the world. How the AJC and many media outlets are portraying black athletes and entertainers is racist. If you do not understand my culture thats fine. If you do not like my culture, thats fine. But, you will respect it. You hate it because your kids love it.

Keep your head up Lawyer Malloy and MV7, listen to Greg O’ Quin’s “I Told The Storm”.

By Falcons Better with Ryan

September 16, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick will never be the same quarterback he was before prison when he returns. After all the inter-inmate sodomy he has enjoyed, Vick won’t be able to step under the center without become aroused.

By Boo Boo

September 17, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

I see how Mike Smith can be what Atlanta needs in a head coach. However, if Arthur Blank is why Matt Ryan is starting, it becomes Arthur Blank the coach killer. Watching the Cowgirls play the Beagles Monday I saw Owner-GM Jerry Jones and thought of Blank. Blank likes to glow on the sideline during a win. Only problem is, Jerry is the Owner AND GM. Blank is just the owner, with a team that has few wins. He need to go hang out at the Home Depot on I-285 and tell them how to do things, rather than think he’s a football talent.

Matt Ryan is one piece of the Falcon’s puzzle. He can be the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, if he lives long enough to get that far. So what if he gets up and dusts himself off and goes back at it? I watched Bartkowski do that too, till his knees were blown out from hitting the dust too many times. Bart was not crap until he had an offensive line to give him time to use his arm. No quarterback can consistently win without an offensive line, unless you are Mike Vick or Fran Tarkington or some young, mobile, running-like-the-wind escape artist. Playing Matt Ryan without players that can pass block (not cut block) is risking the franchise of tomorrow, for selling a few tickets today.

I read here that Mularky had some trick plays, where Norwood lined up at quarterback. Well, in 2006 (Christmas Eve), rather than pretend Chris Wienke was an NFL quarterback (lifetime 2 - 18 starter), the Panthers would just line up two RBs and hike it to them. No Weinke on the field! The Panthers ran 49 times between them (for 184 yards). Weinke passed 7 times, completed 4, for 32 yards, with 1 TD. Final score: Carolina 10, Atlanta 3. (Yes, that was with Mike Vick healthy and playing the whole game) This only goes to show two things: One is don’t play with 10 men if the 11th can’t pull his weight; and two is on any given Sunday just about any team can beat the Falcons.

By Joebrave

September 17, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Who in the Blue He11 is Mike Vick????Mv who???? Shut Up about that useless,worthless,and mindless SONOFABITCH That Piece of $hit,IS NEVER GOING TO PLAY HERE AGAIN!!! GOAMN YOU PEOPLE ARE RETARDED

By Vince

September 17, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Some things are never going to change. Grade, a big old fat F.

By darrell starks

September 17, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

I PERSONALLY THINK that we should ALL CALM DOWN its early in the season and let take it game by game this is a building process but one thing we no IS THAT KEITH BROOKING HAS TO GO i never see him throw his body out there to disrupta a play so some one else can make a play if we are going to be good on defense we have to play better at linebacker and for jamal anderson if you dont show improvement you should not be on this team next year and stop parting and concetrate on football.GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By