Falcons

By mountain_jim

December 8, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Well everyone on the Falcons forum knew the game was lost when we punted. I suspected it was lost when Boley dropped the interception. Playcalling on the 3 downs before the 4th and 5 was not too good either.

By Dogbyte

December 8, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

Certainly he should have gone for it. Ever hear of “controlling your own destiny”? Besides, as has been pointed out, they hadn’t stopped the Saints the entire half, why think they would then?

By bali smith

December 8, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

i wish the falcons had gone for the first down, but I understand the coaching decission to punt with over 3 minutesw to go and having 2 timeouts. Just hate the fact the falcons lost a winnable game on the road.I really did not think the Falcons would be playing any games in December that meant anything more than abetter draft choice at the start of the season. This was a learning experience. The Falcons need better players on Defense. Maybe next year this will be a game the falcons will win. Go Falcons

By falcon

December 8, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

At least this game pointed to where the Falcons need the most help. I look for Dimitroff to load up on defensive players in next year’s draft and free agent market. DE, DT, LB, CB, and S. We need them all.

If the Falcons had shown they could stop the Saints earlier in the game I would have agreed with the call. Pierre Thomas was gashing the Falcons for 8 or 9 yards at a clip. It was the wrong call. We could not give Brees the ball back and we did. I knew it was over, but then so did everyone.

After Ryan showed the poise he showed when they were down, it made no sense not to give him an opportunity to make the play and keep the ball.

By jJim H.

December 8, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

He should have gone for it. We hadn’t stopped them all day (easy for me to say…I didn’t have to make the call).

Oh well…we are way better off than anybody ever dreamed this season, and we still have a decent shot a Wild-Card — but I think any hopes of winning the divison are gone now.

Man, if we plug a couple of big defensive holes in the offseason this team has great potential for next year.

Matt Ryan’s play this season is just incredible. Forget rookie….he would be playing well for a 10 year veteran!

By help

December 8, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

who should we root for tonight? tampa/carolina

By Adam

December 8, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

“Smitty didn’t feel the Falcons fans’ pain. They would have been OK rolling the dice right there. Smitty said he went with the odds.”

That’s almost as concerning as the failure in imagination that led to the punt. This isn’t about gambling with other people’s money; it’s about gambling with your own. If Mike Smith doesn’t understand punting that late in the game was, in fact, a decision against the odds, then he understands neither probability nor how it relates to football. And if he’s unwilling to admit a mistake, then he never will. Losses by the Redskins and Cowboys softened the dire impact of this loss, but as a fan it’s really frustrating to watch your team, which has done so much right all season, to pull such a boneheaded move like this one in such a crucial moment.

By BravesFan79

December 8, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Due to the Cowboys loss were still in alright shape if we can get to 10 wins.
Every Falcons fan knew it was a mistake to punt, and that we wasted a timeout in that last challenge.

While i know we need help in the draft on defense, i wouldnt mind seeing the Falcons hit a home run and trade there first 2 or 3 round picks to Detroit for Calvin Johnson!
Imagine Ryan and CJ teamed up!

Author Blank needs to forget about buying into soccer, ect…. and focus on buying the Braves in a few years!!

By PoolerSpirit

December 8, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

I think this was one of Mike Smith’s few bad decisions this year. He punted hoping the defense could stop them and force them to give the ball back. If he’d gone for it and failed, he’d be in the same situation, only perhaps hoping they miss a long distance field goal. If they kick the field goal, we’re still down seven, needing to score a last second touchdown to send the game into overtime, or go for two to win. By going for it, could’ve ate the clock up, scored a game winning touchdown with no time left.

By SmellPlayoffs

December 8, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Yeah, he probably should have gone for it. And we probably would have won if we converted it, but we didn’t. That being said, we are still right in the thick of the playoff race. 11-5 is the goal but even 10-6 probably gets us in with Dallas, Washington, and Philly all ending up around 9-7.

I still consider the Bucs game Sunday a must-win though. As we have seen in our division it’s very tough to beat the same team twice and the home team almost always wins. That bodes very well for us. Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!

By **Frederick (Bailey) Douglass**

December 8, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

D-Led,

Tough decision in that spot. The crux of the matter is this: Do you gamble there all on one play…or play it out for a few more plays, use discretion and have faith in our Defense…we could have gotten a fumble on the punt, recovered their fumble on first down, etc., etc.

I’m ok with NOT putting it all on our rookie QB at that spot.

Ok, impressions from the game:

1) Our defense is…downright leaky. At this point, I can’t put it all on a pedestrian pass rush. The linebacker, safety drop mesh is terrible. The LB’s never locate receivers running through their zones. Needs some real attention.

2) #56 took a step back this week. Did not make any plays out in space or moving forward. Boley is catching his disease…he was a step behind and missed a pivotal interception that could have turned the game around (though it was a good play). Lofton also played one of his softer games. I just don’t see this group throwing their bodies around like say…Lawyer Milloy.

3) #98 is …spot player at best. Smitty: just go with Chauncey until you can get another real DE in here. Also, what’s up with Grady? Is he running out of gas? Last, why was #55 out on that key last drive when we needed a stop. 3rd and 3, everybody knows we need a stop and…

4) Foxy #24 had his worst game as a Falcon. It happens…but I wanted to see him challenging a couple of balls and “tackling up” a little better. Milloy and the other safety were typically around against the run, but absent against the pass (see the Ravens last night for prototype safety play). I thought #23 played well.

5) The offense was lights out. 25 points on the road is supposed to get you a win. I am a little concerned about the Burner getting the ball, running up to the line and stopping…but hey, maybe he knows what he is doing.

Ok…moving finger: time to focus on the next three match-ups. We go 3-0… we finish at 11-5. I think its possible. We can beat the Bucs at home, the Vikings are one-dimensional (I hope we address our run defense) and the Rams are…the Rams. Let’s stay encouraged…its December in the NFL!!!

FBD

By BravesFan79

December 8, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Its between Atlanta and Dallas for the final playoff spot. Philly is really a non factor because of the tie on their record.
Right now Dallas holds the tiebreaker because of a 2-2 division record while Atlanta is 2-3. If we get to 10 games, but DONT beat Tampa…. i think our playoff hopes are slim.

Dallas does play good NYG, PHI and Baltimore teams, so our best hope is to root for them to loose 2 out of 3.

And go Jets in the AFC…. but man my 2nd favorite team looks like their falling apart at the seams right now.

By VICK SUPPORTER 2

December 8, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

———MARK IT DOWN————

LIKE I HAVE SAID, JOE FLACCO IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST ROOKIE IN THE LEAGUE.

HE PROVED IT AGAIN LAST NIGHT AGAINST ANOTHER………

TOP 10 DEFENSE

———LEAF PROVED AGAIN———-

CAN’T CLOSE THE DEAL….WHY WOULD SMITH TRUST HIM ON 4TH AND 5 WHEN HE JUST MISSED HIS LAST 3 PASS ATTEMPTS BADLY?

——-JOE FLACCO————

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

—————LEAF——————

CAN’T WIN THE BIG ONE!!!!!!!

72-MILLION DOLLAR BUST

By VICK SUPPORTER 2

December 8, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

REALITY CHECK

YOU HAVE NOT BEATEN A TOP 10 DEFENSE ALL SEASON AND YOU HAVE…

VS TAMPA…….4TH

MINNESOTA…..6TH

———-SO—————-

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN MAGICALLY DO IT NOW :)

————-PACK IT IN UNTIL DRAFT DAY——

72-MILLION DOLLAR BUST

By Vick Supporter 2

December 8, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

I AM THE REAL VICK SUPPORTER 2.

STOP USING MY NAME OR I WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACTION

_____OK?_____

We want VICK back because he IS STILL ON THE ROSTER.

Matt Ryan Leaf will be and is a BUST,.

But use your own name and stop using mine yo.

Arthur Blank has no option but to reinstate Mike Vick.

_______!___ Mike Vick has already won a favorable ruling from the NFL arbitrator about his bonus money.

This is paving the way for VICK’s RETURN this Summer/

VICK is not stupid.

He will not make STUPID plays like matt “white boy” Ryan LEAF did yesterday throwing the ball right to the saints.

MATT RYAN LEAF lost the game for us!!!

VICK IN 2009!!

_______OBAMA___

)BAMA))))))_________

OBAMA will give Vick a Pardon as soon as he takes office.

the white man will no longer keep blacks down.

OBAMA and VICK in 2009.

________YES___

______MIKE VICK WILL BE BACK OR ELSE HE WILL FILE A DISCRIMINASHUN LAWSUIT AGAINST HIS WHITE ?MASTER” BLANK___________

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR is the BLACK running back for the Chicago Bears - Matt Forte.

HE COULD HAVE BEEN A FALCON!!!!!!!!!!

_______INSTEAD< WE DRAFTED A the GREAT WHITE BUST______________

By Vick Supporter

December 8, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

This is the real Vick Supporter and this is my 1st post today. The only thing I agree with (other than Vick coming back and Matt Ryan Leaf being a bust) is that OBAMA will give Vick a Pardon.

It is already in the works and has been leaked by one of Obama’s new cabinet memebrs.

Look for VICK to be at OTA’s this spring .

VICK!!! IN DA HOOOOUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSE!!

By David

December 8, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

never kick it away with under five minutes to go in the game while trailing. Bad decision.

By AFnPC

December 8, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

I’m chalking that one up to Coach Smith’s learning curve. Boley should have caught that ball for the pick. We definitely should have gone for it on 4th and 5, especially the way we were converting 3rd and whatever throughout the game. 4-3rd and 11s, a 3rd and 21, why not a 4th and 5. I understand his thinking, but we had to have a TD, if we’re down 3 and have 3 timeouts, then punt the ball. We had 2 timeouts and were down 4, so go for it. We hadn’t stopped their offense in the entire 2nd half. Oh well, we’re still spoiled this year! Go FALCONS!

By Boo Boo

December 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I was on the road Sunday, with the wife preferring to be trapped for six hours listening to an audio book. In between two of the discs, I listened to two Falcon drives. Both scored touchdowns, giving them leads (14 - 13 and then 25 - 22). So, if I had listened to the whole game, the Falcons would have won in a blowout. Its all my fault, not Mike Smith’s.

Nah. Not really. I was one of 3 picking the Saints to win Sunday morning (415 picked the Falcons to win on the AJC “homer poll”). I still remember that the Falcons were a 4 - 12 team last year, and they are playing with a rookie QB this year. I’m glad the Falcons took the lead with little over 9 minutes to play in the 4th quarter. It doesn’t bother me that Mike Smith elected to punt with 3.5 minutes to play. The game with the Saints really did not matter, other than the Falcons needed to have that chance of winning.

The season is going to be summed up this coming Sunday. They have to do the same thing then, as the Saints did yesterday, which is go all out and beat a division foe at home. The next step in the process is beating each of the three other teams in the division at home. This year is all about letting them know the Falcons will beat you. The Falcons have yet to lay that lesson on the Bucs. The Bucs have to know the Falcons are not the patsy ticket to a division championship they have been in the past.

The playoffs are currently nothing more than an imaginary event in 2009. The Falcons are 0 - 1 in December Crunch Time Games. The reality is the Tampa Bay game is a playoff game for the Falcons. The Saints game was just the end of the season game, one they could afford to lose. From now on out, it win or you go home.

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 8, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Let’s get back to football.

Vick’s in jail. Not getting out for awhile. HE’S NOT COMING BACK. IT’S OVER.

LET’S GET BACK TO 2008 FALCONS FOOTBALL

GOOD post Bailey Douglass. Way to break it down with a lot of ENTHUSIASM!!!

By Frontman

December 8, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

PoolerSpirit is the only one to have correctly noted that even if the Saints had not gotten even one first down and had kicked an FG, your equation does not change: you must score a TD. The only difference would be tying the game vs. winning the game outright. And, of course, given the defense’s inability to stop the run, we knew what would happen (and it did). The challenge was pointless and wasted a TO, but it wouldn’t have changed things. Again, I think that if Boley can hang on to that interception, it’s game over. This is a league in which a couple of plays made or not made each game are the difference. It was a great game between two good teams. Remember that everyone has held serve at home in this division. Go Falcons, and everyone had better start rooting against Carolina really hard…

By help me out

December 8, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

who should I root for tonight, Tampa or Carolina? Im a Falcon fan.

By Joe

December 8, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

I am a Native Atlantan and a falcons, braves, and hawks fan. I am extremely surprised at how short sighted and quick to critisize our fan base has become when we are 8-5. Our new head coach, whom all the NFL experts have praised all season long, made a choice. Every fan in almost every fourth down situation wants to go for it. If Michael Boley makes that interception that went through his hands, we may be talking about another comback last drive win. Let’s not call for the head of a coach or even second guess him so quickly. I seem to remember a coach by the name of Dan Reeves that we chased and regretted, until……well, this year.

By KingCobra

December 8, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

I believe the Falcons loss should NOT be blamed on any one person. Sure in hindsight you might say Smitty should have gone for it, but that is only after you know the Falcons were unable to stop the Saints. I believe that if the Falcons had that 4th and 5 play to do over again, they would go for it that late in the game but you cant pin this loss on Mike Smith. Mike Smith DID NOT ALLOW THE SAINTS TO RETURN THE KICKOFF 88 YARDS after the Falcons took the lead 25-22 on the ensuing kickoff return. This loss was lost as a team, however I feel that the special teams unit let the Falcons down on that play. I do believe however that if Smith had allowed the Falcons to go for it on 4th and five on their own 35, the 88 yard kickoff return would have been forgotten. I felt so good after a loss but that was because I witnessed Matt Ryan playing the game of his life. He had one of the better games in NFL history and that should not be overshadowed in the Falcons loss. The reassuring thing that I took out of Sundays game with the Saints is that Matt Ryan will be a future hall of famer someday.

By Frontman

December 8, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Exodus, I’m not sure if they got out-schemed rather than out-manned. Atlanta chose to play a 4-2-5 much of the time with Brooking and Boley side by side in the middle. In these situations, they just blocked us 6 on 6 and beat us. When Lofton was in, he either guessed wrong and took himself completely out of the play or got blocked; by far, his worst game of the year. Also, why the absolute belief that Ryan would have done something on 4th down that he couldn’t do the previous three downs? Because this offense freakin’ believes in him, and justifiably so. You should better ask, why believe that a defense who has stopped the other team once in the second half is going to man up here and stop them? As to your comments on Ryan’s accuracy, you’re on crack. The guy throws the ball at or right above his receiver’s head. If you listened at all to the commentators, they were saying that he has gotten more accurate with each game. This guy has only played 13 games, and we can almost not believe it when he doesn’t throw the ball perfectly. RAC is also many times a function of just how accurately the ball is thrown. And, the great ones, most notably Brady, Marino, and Favre will throw the ball into tight places because they know they can get it there. The great news about Ryan is that he knows his good, but he will always strive to do better; that’s why he has the potential to be a really special NFL QB.

By Space Mountain

December 8, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I believe they should have gone for it. Sure hindsight is always 20/20. But when they decided to punt I was thinking WTF there is not enough time left and the defense looked absolutely spent. Smitty made a mistake, hopefully he learns from it.Oh well on to next week hope they bounce back in a big way we need it. Now we will see what kind of moxy this TEAM really has. I am not so worried about the offense and special teams as I am about the defense. But in all honesty the birds have never really had a shut down lock em up defense.

By help

December 8, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

how is it that you people spend so much friggin time fussing and responding to such hatred statements but when someone like myself asks a legit football question(1:27) to the forum I cant as much get a peep? You guys deserve each other. Geez.

By btwarren

December 8, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Been a Falcons fan for 30 yrs, and despite the good start, I am reminded that these are still my Daddy’s Falcons, so to speak. I am reminded of the recent history of starting out the season on fire and then ending the season 8-8 and then 7-9. This has that same feel to it, even with Ryan and not Vick at QB, it ain’t over till it’s over. That kick off return that basically lost the game for us is typical Falcons. If there is a stat for most kick off return yards against after scoring the go ahead touch down, I bet the Falcons are leading hands down. The Falcons are good and I am glad they are winning, but I may have a heart attack before the season is over. GO FALCONS!!!

By Hollywould

December 8, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t think they should have gone for it. You have to depend on your defense sometime. Just did not work out. We are still in the hunt. One thing bothering me is Michael Turner. Believe me, I am glad he is here but he is starting to look like Duckett( pitty pat feet) Man, he needs to hit the hole hard.

By mr baseball

December 8, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Even a baseball fan could deduce that Smith made a bad decision on multiple levels. Don’t necessarily blame him, however, ‘cause he’s a football coach and football coaches learn at an early age to always go by the “Football Coaching for Dummies” manual, which begins with the famous words, “When it doubt, punt.”

Why was it a bad decision?

1) Instead of going with his strength (Falcons’ offense) against the Saints’ weakness (defense), he elected to let the game be decided with his weakness against the Saints’ strength. Not smart.

2) The Falcons had not stopped the Saints’ running game all day. What made him think that was suddenly going to change in the last three minutes. Not smart.

3) What was the downside to going for it on 4th & 5? If the Falcons get a 3 and out, the Saints would attempt a long field. Even if they made it, the Falcons could still send the game into overtime with a TD and would have had at least 2 minutes on the clock.

If the Falcons could not get a stop, it does not matter where the Saints started from. One first down & the game was probably over. Two and it was definitely over.

Making the wrong decision does not make Smith a bad coach, but it does put in question his ability to make sound decisions in late game situations. To go on the premise that he hoped to get the ball back, instead of taking what was at worst a 50-50 shot, indicates that he does not have a good feel for the occasional risk-taking a coach must engage in.

Hopefully, he’ll learn something from Sunday’s mistake. On the other hand, he could be just like his counterpart with the Braves and spend his entire career making the same dumb moves over and over, because the only book he’s ever read is “Baseball Managing for Dummies.”

Let’s hope Smith is capable of thinking at a slightly higher level than Chance the Manager.

One last thought: Has the AJC deleted so many jobs in the sports department with its massive number of buyouts that it can’t employ someone to get rid of the moronic, racist rants on here. How do you people put up with that garbage on a regular basis?

If the AJC is going to spend the money to send a columnist to New Orleans, the least he can do is offer up his own views about Smith’s decision and not hide behind quotes from the players. Don’t put that burden on them.

By Fred

December 8, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

I can honestly say I’m not 2nd guessing as I was in disbelief the instant they showed the punter coming on the field.

I just don’t understand the reasoning of “if we didn’t get the 1st down, they were right there to kick a field goal with 1 first down”.

Earth to Coach: All they needed was 1 first down to run out the clock, so where on the field they got it was totally irrelevent. It was doubly ignorant seeing how you were putting the game in the defenses hands when your best player (Abraham) wasn’t available (at least I hope he was unavailable, because I almost threw up when they showed him on the sidelines).

Coach Smitty is doing a GREAT job and I couldn’t be prouder of the team - but he blew this decision.

By Hollywould

December 8, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Exodus, Normally you have good points but if you actually keep up with football the guy in jail will never play here again. Why is that so hard to comprehend? He is not needed/ the only reason he is on the roster is to maybe get some cash or a draft pick. For the record, if you think there is no hatred at the jailboy haters you must have just started blogging. Stick to the game itself/it suits you much better.

By Desmond

December 8, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

He should have gone for it. I believe that you either lose the game by trying to win or you win the game, there is no safe card. But this group of coaches are still a little green and learning. As Coach Herman Edwards said, “You Play to win the game,” and that is what this group has to learn to do even with the situation being the way it was Sunday.

By old school

December 8, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

At that point in the game and at that particular part of the field, you should punt the ball. You have to play for field position and hope that your defense can make a stop. For those that say the defense was struggling and that we should not have punted, if we don’t make it on fourth down, do you really think we could/ would have held them to a field goal?? Exodus Mentality: after reading several of your posts, you do make some good points. However, as you have repeatedly come to the defense of Michael Vick, and deservedly so in some regards, your take on Matt Ryan seems … uh … slanted, possibly-biased, … uh, wrong. —Have you been watching the games? Ryan made several outstanding plays throughout the game and his throws are usually on the mark and right on the receivers. Jenkins made a good catch on a bullet that was a bit high, but you know what, he should have!! thats what you get paid to do! I have watched football over several decades now, and I have never, never seen a rookie qb like Ryan before, ever. Marino was the real deal and had an incredible arm. But Ryan seems to get better every week and has the “it” factor. The kid is just humble, hard-working, and dedicated which makes for a great leader and great qb. His deep ball isn’t always there, but the kid’s already made some long throws this year that were on the mark. The thing is, this kid gets it. He’s only gonna get better and has that gym-rat mentality that will make he even more dangerous as the weeks and years go by.

By Saintsfan

December 8, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks Falcons, for punting on your last series of the game. Watching on TV, I felt that you should not have punted. The Saint’s D sucked all day and really had no better than a 10% chance of stopping you. You have kept our season alive..

By AJ

December 8, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Don’t listen to Exodus Mentality as it relates to Vick/Ryan as his opinions are clearly inaccurate, have no basis in fact, and are undoubtedly motivated by race.

Vick is in prison, taking it up the poop shoot and Matt Ryan is winning football games and earning millions of dollars.

Karma’s a b!tch eh Exodus Mentality?

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 8, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

COACH SMITH SPEAKS

Smitty just had his Monday chat with the press (really just George Henry from AP, J. Micheal from Falcons.com and myself). The team loses and the TV stations jump ship! Channel 46 did come on through.

But Smitty still likes his decision not to gamble on fourth down.

GOOD POST, Mr. Baseball. I’ve asked our folks about blocking the racists rants. Still working on it.

By old school

December 8, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Oh, and that comment that Ryan is not as athletic as Vick and got “lucky” dropping some passes into tight coverages. First, Joe Montana was not as athletic as Vick nor did he have the cannon-like arm of an Elway-type, —how’d he end up doin? Ryan moves around and makes plays, as evidenced in the Saints game, this entire year, and his college career. BC was a mediocre team that Ryan basically carried on offense. Second, “lucky”? His interception total would be a helluva lot higher if he’d have been just lucky. Its week 14 now!! The kid’s started every game of his rookie season!!! Flacco’s had a really great year for a rookie too, but trails Ryan in every category and has a whole lot better defense. (I think Ryan’s in the top ten for qb’s, while Flacco is 20-something). NFL coordinators aren’t stupid!!! They looking for his tendencies and are planning accordingly. This week’s rematch with the Tampa D will be really fun, if only to see the kid’s progress. Face it, the kid’s got skills and isn’t just “lucky”. —By the way, Tom Brady’s arm isn’t the greatest and his measurables were not too spectacular either, thus the reason he lasted till the late rounds of the draft.

By rms

December 8, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? Heck yeah Coach Smith shoulda went for it on 4th down. Look, nobody was stopping nobody all game. The Saints defense wasn’t all that. This was one of those back and forth games in which whoever had the ball last was going to win. If you were making some stops late in the game I could understand that, but their run game was killing the defense. Overall I am not upset because I am impressed that we are having this conversation about the Falcons bieng in the playoff hunt. Next week will be huge. We have to win that game or else because the NFC East teams are pretty good too.

By Jim

December 8, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Easy to second guess the call since the defense couldn’t stop them. I think Smith made the smart call. He would have looked like a moron if he gave New Orleans the ball on the Atlanta 35 if we couldn’t convert on 4th down. We had 2 timeouts and 2 minute warning. Bottom line is that players win the games - coaches put them into positions to do it. Smith put Atlanta is a position to stop the Saints and the defense couldn’t do it. Matt Ryan has proved he does not need much time to drive down the field. Would have been nice to use the time outs, have N.O. go 2 and out, and hand the ball over to Ryan.

PSp - Help, I think we have to root for Tampa tonight

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

December 8, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

COACH SMITH SPEAKS

Smitty just had his Monday chat with the press (really just George Henry from AP, J. Micheal from Falcons.com and myself). The team loses and the TV stations jump ship! Channel 46 did come on through.

But Smitty still likes his decision not to gamble on fourth down.

GOOD POST, Mr. Baseball. I’ve asked our folks about blocking the racists rants. Still working on it.

By MWC

December 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

DOL WORKING on it… yeah,,, stay tuned…LMFAO!!!

By Eric C.

December 8, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Really…how much of a gamble was it? Worst case…Falcons go for it and don’t get it and give up another FG to go down by 7 pts. Falcons needed to score a TD anyway. The only down side is that you get a TD and it’s a tie…but that is worth the “gamble.” If the 4th down attempt fails and they go on to get a TD, well that would probably mean they run the clock out anyway. This cannot be sugar-coated…it was a bad decision.

Perhaps a better question concerns the break down of the special teams allowing that 88 yd return…that was the play of the game.

By LarDog

December 8, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Falcons make 2 mistakes in final 3 min. Must go for first down on 4th down; if we don’t make it,Saints have first down on our 35;3 first downs and game over or hold them and worst case, they kick field goal and Falcons down 7 with a kickoff return coming up. If they punt, 3 first downs and game is over- it happened or hold them and get punt back around our 35.

Also, call time outs prior to 2 min warning and then you have 2 min instead of waiting inside 2 min and lose seconds. Bad time management.

By Matt

December 8, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

He definitely should have gone for it, whichever way you look at it. If you trust your offense to make a play, then you go for it. If you think your defense will step up, you still go for it and even if you turn it over on downs on your 35, you can rely on your D to hold them to a long FG, which would not put the game out of reach because we were down by 4, and we’d get the ball back down by 7. Poor judgment by the coach.

By Vick Supporter

December 8, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

An Article I just read “They may be doing better now, with the emergence of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. But what happens if they make it in the playoffs and the passing game isn’t working? Or the offensive line is breaking down? Someone needs to be able to run and get out of trouble, all the while getting first downs and the ball down the field for scores. Who is going to do that? The Great Michael Vick.

He was a one-in-a-million-type player who could take over any game.

Whoever get him will get him for damn near free, Low risk— VERY HIGH POTENTIAL. Someone will take a flyer on him.

Redemption is near………….

By monty

December 8, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

I just didn’t get the run call for Ryan, It reminded me too much of georgia trying to run Stafford on a trick play. Other than that the defense lost this one, they gashed us pretty good. That was the first time I’ve seen their runnng back Bush look like a number 1 pick from the RB position.

It’s obvious having Norwood hurting is not helping the run game. Turner is fine if he can get past the line of scrimage before they hit him, he’s great when he hs a head of steam. He just looks like he is running in weighted shoes, He takes forever to hit the seem.

By This Gets Old

December 8, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

The game was NOT lost because of the 4th down call/no call. It was lost on the 2nd down play, the QB draw. Here you’ve got three RB in the regular rotation and you give the ball to Ryan to run? Falcons didn’t run the ball and didn’t stop the run so they lost, simple. If Tampa loses tonight then there is NO way we beat them on Sunday. The game yesterday was the season.

You know I profiled Vick Supporter as a white man weeks ago. The disturbing thing is that 99% of blogs monitor speech, especially hateful speech. Says a lot about the AJC that they don’t. If I were trying to lure a business away from Atlanta, a young HS athlete or workers for my business I’d just print up what passes for discourse on this blog. I’d then ask if anyone would want to raise a family in such an atmosphere? I saw it in a Saudi Bank.

You guys don’t know how many people think that Georgians are ignorant red necks and people who can’t get past the Civil War. Living examples here all of the time.

By igotxx3

December 9, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

this has been a season of “what if’s” what if the refs didint call that muff punt playing against the eagles? what if roddy white caught that pass against the broncos for the go ahead win? what if michael boley caought that INT against the saints/what if the falcons stoped the saints on 4th and one/what if the falcons had gone for it on 4th down against the saints? with all that said the falcons can still go to the playoffs. after seeing the panthers gash the buccs running the ball falcons have to beat the buccs sunday to control their own destiny.

By Coleman

December 9, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

D. O. Ledbetter, I really enjoy reading your blogs. But you’ve gotta tell your bosses that this off-topic BS needs to stop. Just make a simple rule: if the posts aren’t related to football and the Atlanta Falcons, they get deleted. If the posts have profanity, thinly-veiled profanity (like substituting symbols for letters), or racially inflammatory statements, then they get deleted. You guys have already lost some loyal readers due to a complete lack of forum moderation. Don’t risk losing even more.

Now, as for football. I agree with Smitty. Hindsight is 20-20. Fourth and five is a long conversion. And if you don’t make it at your own 35, you’re really toast.

Football Question for D.O.L: What are the salary cap implications if we cut J. Anderson in the offseason? Could it help free up some cash for a decent free-agent acquisition?

By Vic Mackey

December 9, 2008 2:58 AM | Link to this

gotta say that the way the Panthers ran through the Bucs defense should give the Falcons a big smile.

The Birds should be able to control the game next week and move up in the wild card standings with a victory.

Go Birds

By This Gets Old

December 9, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this

gotta say that the way the Panthers ran through the Bucs defense should give the Falcons a big smile.

The Birds should be able to control the game next week and move up in the wild card standings with a victory<<

1.How many times have you seen the Bucs defense play that poorly? That was an abberation and the Bucs are going to be nasty next week. Toughest game of the year and it’s a MUST win.

2.We couldn’t run the ball against the Saints yesterday. Mighty big leap to be able to do what the Panthers did.

By Getaway

December 9, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

It’s a must win only in that it is the Falcon’s last chance to control their own destiny. The Bucs haven’t proved they can go into another NFC South stadium and win. They’ve had 2 chances and have failed both.

I expect the Falcons to come next week and take care of business.

By beer

December 9, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Ask Mark Wohlers (vs Leyritz) & Dennis Eckersley (vs Gibson). What do they regret? Losing? No. Not throwing their best pitch and losing is what they regret. I think we lost a playoff spot without throwing our best pitch in NO - would have much rather gone down swinging.

By jeanE

December 9, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

I hate Sean Payton but Yes, he outschemed Van Gorder. Still, we should’ve been able to execute & we didn’t. We need a big time upgrade on our starting linebackers. Brooking is just old but what’s up with Boley? He showed so much promise last year but it hasn’t materialized. It’s easy to say now but with our defense being shredded all day long, what makes Smith think they’d stop them when it mattered? Misplaced confidence in his defense, hope he learned a lesson! This week is an abolute must-win & I’ll be at the dome to cheer them on! Go Birds!

By Coach Hinz

December 9, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

D-Led, any word on blocking this garbage that gets posted? I enjoy participating in your Falcons discussions and hope this issue of irrelevant blogs can be resolved. Looks like after yesterdays TB vs. Carolina game the Falcons are going to have to win out. Going for it on 4th and 5, on your own 35, with over 3 min remaining, 2 timeouts + 2 min warning, and only down by 4, I would have punted as well. The thought process was to punt and get the defense to hold them to 3 and out. The defense just didn’t hold which was disappointing. Yes, hindsight is 20/20. The Saints offense played hard…hats off to them.

By Phil

December 9, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Absolutely without a doubt we should have went for it on 4th down. I had more faith in Ryan getting us 5 yards for a first down than our defense getting a stop. The defense had been shredded all day. Bad decision by Coach Smith.

By jsmooth

December 9, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

BTW. Ryan could have gotten the 5 yards by running himself on 4th down. He proved that when he scored the touchdown.

By Kevin

December 9, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Give the coach a break. Do we not remember before the season started that everyone said the Falcons would struggle on defense? How about giving them a chance to complete the “process”. A little spoiled by this season’s unexpected success, are we not?

By cb

December 9, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Carolina wanted it more last night. We have to bring our “A” game on Sunday because the Bucs, like us, will be seeing this game as a “must win”. Dimitroff will be upgrading our defensive personnel in the offseason. The immediate problem that can be addressed on the defensive side is tackling—pure and simple. Dungy emphasized the same fundamentals with the Colts run defense a couple of years ago after being torched at the end of that regular season—and he did it with the SAME PERSONNEL! They won a Super Bowl. I realize that they had better personnel but being able to better execute the fundamentals is something that is within our ability to improve upon now. The defense also needs to bring more pressure. I can’t stress enough that our secondary is not good enough to make up for an inadequate pass rush. Abraham and Babineaux, with Davis making cameo appearances, are the only effective d-linemen we have as far as supplying a pass rush. With the offense operating effectively the defense is clearly the weak link but it can improve with present personnel focusing on fundamentals and a change in scheme from time to time. Special teams coverage has, for the most part, been effective this year but loses containment, it seems, at the worst possible times during games. These problems can be corrected this year with PRESENT PERSONNEL. It has to be because an upgrade won’t be available until next year. GO FALCONS!!!

By michaelgee

December 9, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

That was the Head Coach’s decision, get over it. Had we won, you would have never posted such a back biting story.

By Falconfan

December 9, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

I certainly have been completely impressed with everything the Falcons/coaching staff has done this seanon, but Smitty should have gone for it. The percantages aside, with little time remaing in the game he would have had a better of putting the ball in “Matty Ice’s” hands and not relying on our weakest link…defense. If say we didn’t convert the fourth down, the Saints would have had a short field to work with and we could have held them to a field goal. That would have given us the ball, down by 7, and still maybe a minute left to tie. All in all, great game and learning experience for our staff.

By Dirt Dobber

December 9, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

All this is hog wash.The NFL got what they wanted the Carolina Panthers won monday night so that means Corlina is in first place with a 10-3 record.Tampa is now 9-4 Atlanta is 8-5. tampa will defeat Atlanta Sunday.The Falcons will be 8-6 with 2 games left they will win one of those and finish 9-6 and out of the play offs.But the Atlanta fans will be happy with that based on last year record and the vick problems.Thats what the NFL is counting on two sell out the dome on sundays and keep the fans base happy.

By Bleed_Red & Black

December 9, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

The punt is certainly questionable. HOWEVER, Thank GOD we haven’t had the “what-ifs” that have plagued our franchise for as long as I can remember. Based on our poor defensive coverage throughout the game, along with the AMAZING aerial display my Mattie Ice and Co., we should have gone for it. Let me ask one question that I have not seen posted anywhere? WHY WAS JOHN ABRAHAM ON THE SIDELINE???? I heard one of the announcers say it was a scheme that placed our “larger” players in to help clog up running lanes. I don’t care if the man weighs 50 lbs., he’s been our best defensive play maker! We 3 minutes left, J. Abraham NEEDED to be in that game. It COULD have made a major difference. THOUGHTS?

By Boo Boo

December 9, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

The Falcon defense is good enough to play the first half of a game well enough to win. However, halftime turns their legs rubbery and they usually don’t stop anyone in the second half. The offense has to control the ball and the clock, while scoring touchdowns. No punts allowed. No turnovers allowed. The defense needs a rhythm of playing all-out 3 minutes, resting 5 minutes, to be able to stay in a game for 60 minutes and be able to make a stop in the last minute of a game.

Of course, a defense is greatly made to look better if receivers constantly drop passes, like Tampa’s receivers did last night. Tampa loves that 5-15 yard middle of the field pass (to rb’s & te’s), and Carolina could not stop it. The game turned into (in the 2nd half) one TD after another, with no one stopping anyone. Then, Tampa began stopping themselves by dropping about 10 passes on its last three drives. I imagine they will work on that this week.

By Boo Boo

December 9, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Carolina has to beat Denver (something no other NFC South team has done this season), the New York Giants (on the road), and New Orleans (in the Superdome). They could finish 10-6.

Tampa Bay’s hardest game is this coming Sunday, in Atlanta. They end up at home playing the Chargers and Raiders. They could finish 10-6 (with luck favoring the Falcons), but more likely 11-5 or 12-4.

New Orleans is on a roll (filled with the fear that being 6-6 should put in a good team). They could beat Chicago (on the road), then should beat the Lionesses (on the road), to then come home to beat the Panthers. They could finish 10-6 too.

Atlanta will tell us next Sunday if it is a playoff team. It is win and play on, or lose and plan on going home. They could make the playoffs at 10-6 (especially if all four NFC South teams finish 10-6); but they would have to beat the Bucs and Vikes (they could theoretically lose to the Lambs and qualify). If they finish 11-5, they should at least make it as a wildcard (possibly the division winner in a tiebreaker).

Dallas, Washington, and the Eagles will play each other and eliminate all but one (probably Dallas finishes 10-6 or 11-5). The Eagles would pose a problem to a 10-6 Falcon record, if they finish 10-5-1.

The point is: After finishing 4-12 last year, who would have thought the Falcons would be in the playoff race after 14 weeks? No one.

By ray

December 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Let me see….Carolina beat Tampa by running for damn near 300 yards. Jake Delhomme threw 2 interceptions and had only 173 yards total against the Bucs.

We beat the Panthers 44-28 a couple weeks ago.

So WHY is it that we should just assume that we can’t beat Tampa?

Oh yeah, because Falcon haters say so.

Right.

Go Falcons!

By CTfalconfan

December 9, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE NOT GOING FOR IT ON 4TH AND 5 and I would have liked to hear Smitty own up to it and say I made a bad call.

IF Smitty thought we could stop them which we hadn’t all day then if we didn’t make the first down but we then indeed stopped the Saints they would have to tried maybe/approx a 45 yrd FG to go up by 8 points. GUESS WHAT? We still would have needed to score a TD so why not just put the ball in your franchise QB’s hands as opposed to the hands of your 23rd ranked Defense?- Which looked like the 32nd ranked D that day..

I like Smitty, but this was a huge blunder on his part..

By monty

December 9, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I believe the Falocons mismanaged the clock, they let about 20 seconds or better run down to the 2:00 minute warning. They had 2 to burn and then the 2 minute warning but they let the clock run down.

By ray

December 9, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

DawginLex,

I agree. Vick was a very exciting player. And I couldn’t stand Mora as the coach (or should I say players’ buddy). And Greg Knapp sucks big time.

But I like Ryan, and I like where the franchise is headed. Sorry, but that doesn’t change me from black to white, no matter what anybody says or how bad they hate the team, or how bad they want Vick back in the NFL.

Hell, I hate to see a guy kicked from the NFL. I hope he makes it back in……….

But last time I looked, that was up to league commissioner Roger Goodell, NOT Arthur Blank…

By chris h

December 9, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

lets face it were all happy with the position the falcons are in, playoffs would be great for the city but foremost just the experience for the team but lets look at this in a different way(positive), these guys are growing and getting better every week. we all want a playoff run and a super bowl ring and to be honest that would be to much i think for a team this young, they need to lose to learn right? point of all this being if your defense cant make those stops then your not ready for playoffs. like in baseball you can have all the hitting in the world but it means nothing w/o out complimentay pitching. What im trying to say is a little smile came upon my face when i saw the punter come on cause i knew it was mike smith challengeing his defense. matt ryan rodney white and tuner along with the rest have showed what they can do in clutch spots on offense and now it was time to do the same with the d. My expetations are already met, i guessed we’d be 8-8 at the best and that was being a greedy fan that didnt want to root for a under .500 team again. if given the same situation was given again next sunday i hope we do the same and see are defense do it to them. we are all for some reson confident that ryan will lead us to that final touchdown anyway so lets get a defense that doesnt take s** either and win some rings baby.