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Friday, January 9, 2009
Reflections on Falcons’ playoff run
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s no game this weekend.
Are you coming down with a case of the shakes, a symptom of Falcons Football Fever withdrawal?
I thought about driving up to Charlotte to see the Panthers’ game, but decided not to. I can get back to the kids’ activities. We have a fast-pitch traveling team practice in the morning, a frat meeting in the middle of the day and an Upward basketball game at night. That should keep my mind off of football.
I’ll watch the games on Sunday. That should be enough.
But just sitting here, I wanted to come up with 10 reflections from the season. There not any good if you have to look them up.
Here are my 10 “reflections” from the season:
(Ten) — Michael Turner rushing for over 200 against the Rams. You knew he wasn’t out of gas in the final game of the season.
(Nine) — Rookie defensive back Chevis Jackson’s 95-yard interception return against the Saints. He was solid in the slot all season. The LSU product quietly went about doing his job.
(Eight) — Jerious Norwood’s two rushing touchdowns against the Rams and his 92-yard kickoff return.
(Seven) — Jason Elam’s field goal to beat Tampa Bay in overtime.
(Six) — Roddy White and Michael Turner being selected to the Pro Bowl.
(Five) — Justin Blalock’s fumble recoveries against Tampa Bay and Minnesota to keep the playoff train rolling down the tracks.
(Four) — Matt Ryan’s passing performance in New Orleans. After an early pick, he was ticked off. He started drilling the ball in there against the Saints’ injury-riddled secondary.
(Three) — Michael Turner rushing for 220 in the opener against Detroit. In the NFL you’ve got to beat the bad teams. You knew from the opener, the Falcons could at least run the ball and kick dirt in the face of the bad teams.
(Two) — Matt Ryan’s pass to Michael Jenkins in final 11 seconds to set up Jason Elam’s game-winning redemption kick against Chicago. Remember, he’d missed one earlier.
(One) — How Coach Mike Smith and his staff had the team ready to play each and every week. They never really got their doors blown off even though their margin of error - especially on defense - was miniscule. Even in the playoff game when the Falcons spotted the Cardinals 14, they came back. They couldn’t overcome giving them another touchdown on the botched handoff/fumble to Antrel Rolle.
As we get ready for the offseason, what are some of your reflections from the Falcons improbable march to the playoffs?
