The Bird Babe

By Titothebear

December 13, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Cowboys by twenty-five!

By Stewart

December 13, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this

I want everyone to take notice of what a great competitor Mike Vick is. He’s not the greatest QB in the league, but the kid wants to win. Not all Falcon fans have a high opinion of Vick, however, all of the true fans realize that Vick comes to play. This game will be no exception. Vick wants to win, and he will do everything he can to win a game of this magnitude. I hope the true fans realize that, win or lose, he’ll play with conviction.

That being said, this is a huge game for this organization. This is a true watermark event. For the GM, coaches, and players, a win here could solidify the current path the team is headed. A loss, and people will question everything about the Falcons.

Mike Vick knows it. He’ll try to win. Mike Vick ain’t superman, but’s he’s pretty damn good!

By domeOFpain

December 13, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

Come out aggressive on offense and smack somebody in the mouth on defense. Let’s play some football. Bird win 31 -27.

By ctim

December 14, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this

For the rest of what remains of this season, I will continue to share thoughts as they come on why the Falcons are not a Super Bowl team. Or, rather, why Jim Mora is not the coach to take the Falcons there. Here’s the latest news flash: He is the FOURTH (LAST) best (or worst) coach in the division. The evidence: Both Fox and Gruden have taken teams to the big game (Gruden won of course. You automatically have to rate them better than Mora and his staff. Right now, Sean Payton is clearly doing the best coaching job in the division, and its not even close. Therefore, Mora clearly comes in last in this ranking. I think his two main failings in his over loyalty to his coordinators, who clearly are mediocre at best, and his inability to get his team mentally ready to start the game, as evidenced by the consistent poor starts. He just isn’t the guy you look at and say, there is a Super Bowl coach, and that should be the only criteria for this franchise. But hey, Falcons fans, keep hope alive. As I heard on MNF, Lovie Smith is a free agent after this season if Chicago doesn’t extend him. The perfect scenario would be for him to be available, then Blank could fire Mora and hire the guy he should have hired in the first place. One final thought, Blank must take responsibility, because he hired the wrong guy to replace him at Home Depot, Nardelli was clearly the third best candidate at GE, and has done nothing to make Home Depot a better company. Blank has a history of being fooled by semi-impressive resumes.

By This gets old

December 14, 2006 01:53 AM | Link to this

Why are you guys so worried? Late season nationally televised game, facing an angry, relatively healthy Super Bowl calibre team. Let history be our guide.

We’re gonna get killed aren’t we?

It’s not going to help Mora that the Saints just routed the Cowboys. The way we’ve played the last six weeks we’ll be out of it by halftime. Please play a good game, please play a good game, pleeeaaaaaasssseee.

By Peter

December 14, 2006 03:07 AM | Link to this

This RB thing, if true, really shows Mora’s continued immaturity.

1. Somebody over in Flowery Branch obviously told Chris Mortensen that the Falcons were talking about this.

2. That person just as obviously had not spoken to Blank or Vick about them [coaches] even thinking about this.

3. If it was intended to make Dallas prepare for that possibility that it makes even less sense. ANY coach would tell his defense that no matter what make sure you get in a good shot on Michael Vick.

“Hit him so hard that he won’t remember what happened until Tuesday. With our defense there’s no way an inexperienced guy is gonna beat us, especially with those WR’s”

So why float it at all? He needs to let Belichick be Belichick and worry about keeping his damned team from getting blown out early.

Cause I’ll tell you something, if we begin the game against the Cowboys like we did the Redskins and the Bucs, we ain’t coming back.

By Nono

December 14, 2006 05:12 AM | Link to this

There is no way Mora is sticking a $140 million QB at RB——NO WAY—-you might see Vick line up in the slot position but not RB. The defense would drool over knocking his teeth out before the half. Vick is a quick, but a little guy. If he took 6 or 7 head-on or full RB hits, I doubt he would get up. Flowery Branch is trying to use the media to send mixed signals to Parcells.

Here is what we have to do to win. First of all I’m surprised TO isn’t running his mouth or some kind of smack isn’t coming out of Dallas. Could it be they got their butts handed to ‘em last week? New Orleans defense got to Romo and brought his dream to a halt. We have to do the same thing and quickly. We need to get behind Dallas’ offensive line and chase him. Let this newby know we have the talent, Hartwell, Boley and Brooking will be clogging the run at the line and containing the corners, Abraham is going to be a one-man wrecking crew that burns Dallas all night. Milloy and D Hall have been playing better since that horrible loss New Orleans. I think if Abraham can chase Romo a little, it might throw off the TO connection ever so slightly.

Vick—-you have to have a great game and not just running. We need more third down conversions and better red zone effeciency. I don’t expect much in the way of our running game—perhaphs 5 or 6 first downs or 100 yards. Instead, we need the best passing game. You need to throw for 300 yards! We need you to throw before the recievers make their turns—-hense all the timing drills at practise.

I say if 1/2 of this happens we slip by 27-24 Falcons Win No I’m not smoking crack—I think we are that close to putting it all together.

By savannah falcon

December 14, 2006 06:56 AM | Link to this

All we have to do is block and play a good run defense. Blitz the QB and take him out of the game. Romo plays the same kind of game as Vick, so we should be prepared for that. The only problem that I foresee, is Dallas is much larger that Atlanta. Dallas have 17 guys 6-5 and 300lbs. We are too small! We have only 4 guys 6-5 and 300lbs. There is something wrong with the math!

By BirdDoo

December 14, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

I love our team, but the Falcons are toast. Stick a fork in them…they are medium rare and bloody awful. I hate to admit this. I dream beyond all dreams that I’m wrong. But folks, in spite of what happened against the Saints, Dallas is taking us to the woodshed. You could put Barry Sanders in his hay day in at RB and it wouldn’t matter. The Falcons defense cannot stop Romo and Owens. They can barely tie their own shoes. And the Dallas D is going to kill us, Vick notwithstanding. Romo is the real deal. He can read D’s and has a cannon for an arm…and good receivers. Last week was a blip on the radar for him and he will have a field day against our secondary.

Our season ends Saturday night in the Dome. I’m sad, but there is always next year. 7-9 this year. Goodbye Mora and Knapp.

By chichi

December 14, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Falcons whin this weekend people act like we are the facing the 85 Bears and that thiers no chance we will win the Cowboys havent been dominant all year. We beat the steelers everybody thought we wouldnt we beat the bengals everybody thought we wouldnt we beat the panthers at the start of the year everybody thought we wouldnt but we did so F* the Falcons haters where at home and we have a chance thats all we need Dallas is to big and slow on D to stop Vick from rushing all over them

By Lynne

December 14, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I don’t know why, but I believe our offensive line will have the game of the season Sat night. Yes, they have struggled on pass blocking (and some would say run blocking too - Vick has 700 of those 900 yards off pure scrambling) but, I think they are ready for this.

By NYFalconFan

December 14, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Cmon Falcons fans, lets do this, get behind the Falcons and be the most ridiculously loud stadium in the league on Saturday. Im in NY and I wish I could be there. I would be if at all possible, screaming with everyone else. Its no secret the Falcons have to play their best game of the year. NO turnovers, protect Vick as best you can, receivers catch the ball, defense needs to get real nasty real early and send a message. Vick wil do his thing and give us a good chance to win. I think it all depends on our 1st quarter play. If we come out half asleep like we have been and have to play catchup, we have no shot. Mora better do whatever he has to do to make it happen. A speech, a pep rally, sacrifice a chicken, whatever he has to do to get this team angry and play with nastiness because that is something we have lacked the last couple years.

By Eric C.

December 14, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Bird Doo …ROMO SHOMO… that guy is far from perfect. Like any young QB, when pressured he makes poor decisions and horrible throws. The TD pass to Owens last week was a horrible pass that went right through the arms of the DB…and several other passes should have been picked off. Falcons need to score a TD on the first drive… something they are Loooonnng over-due for…and they need to send the fifth rusher and mix in the blitzes.

By Lynne

December 14, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

I am starting to be really proud of these true Falcons Fans!!!!!!!

By midniterider

December 14, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

Theres no way the falcons will win this game not after the beatting they took from no bill is a much smarter coach

By midniterider

December 14, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

and i hope all the had working fans that pay vick give him the finger when he comes on the field hes earned it he has no class as well as being a qb wanna be

By Ken Strickland

December 14, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

MIDNITERIDER, why do you insist on promoting the idea that Vick flipped the finger to all Falcons fans. It doesn’t take a genius to realize the jesture was limited to a select group of rowdy, loudmouth fans located near the tunnel. Unless you were in that group, why are you taking it so personally. I’m not an advocate of that type of behavior, but depending on what was being said, I can certainly understand.

On another note, we can beat Dallas if our DEF holds up. Knapp also has to use different formations to spread their DEF. He has to force their LB’s and safeties to honor our RB’s in passing situations, and prevent them from blitzing. This will force DAL to get pressure on Vick with their front 4, and our OLine can handle that.

Trust me, if our coaches and players approach this game the way they should, we are playoff bound. GOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By Chazzy J

December 14, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

I wish the Falconws offensive coordinator would use an offensive set that was similar to the Saints. Put Norwood in the passing attack much like the Saints use Bush. We could easily do without one of the Pass recievers on occasions and let the opposing teams decide exactly who they will keep tabs on. Just imagine having to keep tabs on Dunn, Crumpler, Vick, Norwood on top of the receivers who definitely have improved. I would even suggest offensive sets where they use the above with Griffith in the line up at Tight end flooding the flats or bubble screen. Just a thought!!!

By Ken Strickland

December 15, 2006 03:32 AM | Link to this

CHAZZY J, you get my point. Use our RB’s to put pressure on opposing LB’s and safeties. With them having to cover our RB’s, or drop back into zone coverage, they’ll be unable to blitz. Our OLine will only have DLinemen to block, and maybe an occasional safety or LB.

Knapp doesn’t seem to comprehend that removing defenders from the line of scrimmage, is much easier than blocking them. No teams LB’s or safeties have the quickness or speed to cover our RB’s. If we used our RB’s effectively in passing situations, teams would be forced to use zone coverage. Zone DEF requires committing more players to pass coverage than pass rushing.

Zone DEF will make our rushing and passing OFF more effective. Knapp likes to keep everything in tight. DEF’s know Knapp uses our RB’s as blockers, instead of REC’s, and doesn’t allow audibles. Therefore, DEF’s use man coverage on our REC’s, then put their LB’s and safeties at the line of scrimmage. This allows them to overload our OLine with an allout blitz on every passing down.

The end result, our OLine has more defenders than it can block, and Vick has to run for his life. Throughout our 4gm losing streak, Knapp and Mora never used our RB’s as REC’s. With Knapp’s formations have allowed DEF’s to place 7-8 defenders at the line of scrimmage, and our rushing game got shut down in the process. We seem to have a coaching staff full of control freaks. No changing plays by the QB, only assigned players under certain circumstances talking to the media, and no releasing of information on players before game time. One thing is certain about people that need control, they are always slow the accept change.

By SilentPrayer

December 15, 2006 05:43 AM | Link to this

The Falcons will cruise to a Vick-tory on Saturday against Dallas with Vick being the ringleader for the Falcons. Michael Vick will run like a gazzelle and break Bobby Douglass’ single-season rushing record for quarterbacks when he rushes for over 100 yards which will put him over 1000 for the season. WOW — what a quarterback! I never thought I would live to see a quarterback rush for over 1000 yards in a single season, but the Falcon faithful who attend Saturday’s game against Dallas at the Georgia Dome will be treated to such an event. It’s amazing to know that of all the guys who have played in the national football league at quarterback since the beginning of time, there will be after saturday’s game ONLY ONE QUARTERBACK IN LEAGUE HISTORY TO GO OVER 1000 YARDS IN RUSHING IN A SINGLE SEASON — Ladies and Gentlemen: his name is “Michael Vick”, which is the stuff that legends are made of guys. Don’t be stupid and put Michael Vick down, because you are witnessing greatness before your very eyes.

By Tom Pridemore

December 15, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

The Falcons need to attack Dallas’s safeties or the middle of the field. So plenty of crossing and post routes are in order. Dallas plays a 3-4 on defense so attacking their DL with Griff through the A gap is a must. On 3rd and long we must use a 2 TE set to defend against Dallas LB rush and then attack deep in the middle. If we do that on offense we will score 30 points. Now, on defense, we need to instruct the LB to “chuck” Dallas Rec. upon release when they are in the slot. Brookings needs to read the RB before diving into a hole. Add so zone and run blitz to the package. We can win but we all the true fan to come out cheer our team on.

By tnbird

December 15, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

When did the Cowboys get to be a super team? Last time that I checked , they had one more win than the Falcons. If our team plays like they are capable of playing , then they should come out on top. GO FALCONS

By Ken Strickland

December 15, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

TOM, we also need to turn our DB’s loose on their REC’s in man coverage. Use our SS to jam their TE, key their RB’s with a LB, and send 6 after Romo. This will still leave our FS free o roam. Dallas can be had. They won’t enter this game riding an emotional high horse like they did before NO knocked them out of the saddle.

They are hoping Vick, Norwood and the Falcons won’t do to them what Breeze, Bush and the Saints did. They now know it is possible. It’s all up to Knapp, Mora and Donatell.

By Fan01

December 15, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

I know you guys have heard what Mora has said about leaving the falcons for Washington he said it was a joke but it is too darn late to take it back now he deserves to be fired now.

By David

December 15, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

I agree with some other fellow blog members. When on earth did Dallas become a super power team? They started the year with Drew Bledsoe as their starter just a couple seasons ago from having Quincy Carter as their starter. Over the last 4-6 years the Cowboys have been one the doormats of the NFL, so when did they become an elite team? The fact is that they are not an elite team which was proved by New Orleans when the Saints thoroughly showed the world just what type of team the Cowpokes REALLY are. The Cowboys are exactly what they have been since they no longer have Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith and Michael Irving. The Cowboys are still an NFL dormat. I will tell you this, if the Falcons had taken Detroit and Cleveland a little more seriously on their schedule, the Falcons would be sitting with a record no worse than 9-4 which would have been better than the Cowboys and which would have had the Falcons tied with New Orleans for the division lead. I know this much, I think that the Saints have the best team in football, along with the Indianapolis Colts, and those two teams should show up in this years superbowl. But I will also say that I think that the Falcons are at least as good as both New Orleans AND Indy, so my forecast is that the Falcons HAVE JUST AS GOOD A CHANCE to get to the Superbowl, that is provided that they play up to their potential, with potential being the operative word. The Falcons are as good as ANY team in the league, but they MUST believe that for the results to show up on Sunday afternoons. Good luck to the Birds on Saturday against the Cowboys. The Falcons should win this game big, say by the score of 63-7. Go Falcons.

By Titothebear

December 15, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

David,

It’s the Foulcons who are the doormat. The Cowboys are going to bury them! the Foulcons are terrible and you’re deluded. Say “hello” to a 7-9 record Chump!

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 15, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Tito, what happened to 3-13?

Logic and reason tells me the Falcons are gonna get their a* kicked by the Cowboys — not because the level of talent is that much different, but because we are going to get outcoached like crazy. Jim Mora couldn’t hold Bill Parcells’ XXXL-sized jockstrap.

But I’ll still be watching the game and hope against hope that our coaches have magically learned how to call a good game.

And of course, the Falcons can still make the playoffs even with a loss to Dallas, as long as they beat Carolina and Philadelphia, and Minnesota loses at least one game before the end of the season.

By midniterider

December 15, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this

ken you dont sink to there level if your a class player you would never see w dunn do something like that hes a class guy vick is not

By midniterider

December 15, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

And after the way Mora put his foot in his mouth today the Falcons dont have a chance at all of makeing the playoffs cuz the players wont play hard for him at all and who could blame them he more or less said he dident want to be there coach

By Flafalcon

December 16, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this

Come on Bird’s we have to have a great game this week. This could be a defining moment for the franchcise or at the least for the Mora regime. Michael want’s to have one of his best game’s which we need right now. Our running back situation will be fine Norwood and Dunn know how important of a game this is. Now as far as the receiver’s are concerned if they don’t have a good day Mike won’t have a good game. We saw what happend against the Saint’s when Vick played his butt off and the receiver’s dropped the ball and the game, ie.. White’s drop on the 10. Now if all this happens and Abe and Co. put pressure on Romo and get a forced fumble or two (one going for a touchdown would be sweet) and they can not give up the big play it will be a great night for The falcon’s and the organization. Now if this all fail’s and we get blown out it will be the defining moment in Mora’s career cause Mr.Blank nor I want to have him employed any longer. In fact no matter what happens this week or the rest of the season, it won’t be happening because of Mora, it will be the team. He needs to go,we need to get class and respect back in the organization. “It is what it is”, right fella’s?

By Titothebear

December 16, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Mr. Poop,

Some opposing teams , such as the Bucs and Panthers, have regressed and are even sorrier than the Foulcons. That’s the only reason the Foulcons will have a better than 3-13 record. Make no mistake about it though, the Foulcons are a bad team! The level of talent is nowhere near what people of Atlanta seem to think it is. The quarterback is awful and so is the coaching. You folks acted surprised when the Saints beat the hell out of the Falcons, twice! The fact is the Saints have really good talent, good coaching and their quarterback is great! The Foulcons are just a cut above abysmal and they deserve to finish with a losing record.

By Ken Strickland

December 16, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

MIDNITERIDER, players at the pro level, hopefully, aren’t playing these games for the coaches. Pride and a sense of accomplishment should be their motivation. Mora, his coaching staff, and his father, seem to be reacting to the pressure of the failures over the last 2 seasons. They also seem to recognize that Blank and McKay are putting the blame right where it belongs, on them.

McKay has given this coaching staff all OF the weapons it needs to be successful. Our DL has 3 probowlers, and GJackson is playing at that level, a probowl LB, and MBoley is also playing at that level, and 2 probowl DB’s. The talent is there, but the DEF style preferred by our DC, doesn’t fit the talent we have. Aggressive players don’t usually perform well playing soft consersative, reactionary DEF.

We also have the quickest, fastest, most dynamic OFF talent in football, but our OC prefers gimmicks to releasing the hounds. His tight formations, his unwillingness to use our RB’s as REC’s, his refusal to allow our QB’s to audible, his refusal to use quick hitting passing routes, and his conservative play calling invite DEF’s to blitz allout. With our speed, quickness and talent, we should have DEF’s scrambling all over the field trying to contain us, rather than going after Vick.

How would you feel, as a player, if you knew your OFF & DEF was one of, if not the quickest and fastest in the NFL and your coaches won’t let you take advantage of it. Players like Malloy, Crocker, Hall, Abraham, Kerney, Coleman, Boley, DWilliams, JWilliams, GJackson, Brookings, etc., were all chosen because of their aggressiveness, speed, quickness, and/or experience. All of the probowlers in this group got that honor by being consistently aggressive and productive over the course of a season. Now they are being asked to play a soft cover 2-3 zone which takes away the very attribute that got them here.

The whole thing makes me sick. Now, Mora wants to play games. It is now up to the players to finish this season on a winning note, in spite of or 3 stooges (Mora, Donatell, Knapp). GO FALCONS!!!!!!

By Steve T

December 16, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Vick—-you have to have a great game and not just running. We need more third down conversions and better red zone effeciency. I don’t expect much in the way of our running game—perhaphs 5 or 6 first downs or 100 yards. Instead, we need the best passing game. You need to throw for 300 yards! We need you to throw before the recievers make their turns—-hense all the timing drills at practise.

Sir, I do not think Vick can help us much in the red zone. It is up to the OC to get us the right call.

Again Vick passing call for those short routes. This is West Coast football. The QB throw the ball and the WRs have to break tackles. I think a lot of NFL teams have figure out how to stop the short passing game.

By dan

December 16, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

i am wrong or will a win tonight guarantee us the wild card. That’s what NFL network said. Is that true? That would be awesome with a win. LETS GO VICK! LETS GO FALCONS!

By The Willster

December 16, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

The only thing I will say is that the Falcons’ secondary is absolutely pathetic. D.HALL and Rossum are terrible. Good Night to the Falcons’ season and good night to Jim Mora’s and Greg Knapp’s coaching careers in Atlanta….The secondary is clearly the reason the Falcons lost tonight…..

By Boots

December 16, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

The Falcons cannot win against a team coming in with a winning record. There are alot of Vick highlight plays, but no “W” The ROOKIE quarterback gave Vick and the Birds a clinic on how to be an NFL quarterback. And, Tuna, playing with his rookie, demonstrated how to regroup after an embarrassing loss. It’ll take a miracle to gain the wild card —- and it’ll take a miracle to save the coaching staff.

By Wife of a Falcon Fan

December 17, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

I’ve told my husband all along, Blank started this whole mess with the Falcons. Anyone that has managed people will appreciate what I’m taling about. Blank, your the owner, we all know that, but stay out of the way. Get back up in the owners box and let the coaches do their jobs. Your present undermines their ability and confidence. We’ll never really know how good or how bad Morrow is on his own. You ruined it for him. I don’t see where it’s helping the players either. You really blew it when you bought your $3million dollar boy (Vick). That was so premature and again disrespectful to the other players. Vick hadn’t proven himself yet. All you accomplished was to create dissension amongst a team of potentially strong players. Yes, I bellieve we have some players with a lot of potential, but you knocked the steam of them as well as the coaches. You’ve really never shown confidence in them, you just like to be in their presence to booster your own ego. You’ve proven your success, so why do you need to be in the spotlight so much now…are you that insecure?Personally, I think you are to blame for the Falcons demise and it disturbs me that you aren’t a big enough man to recognize it. I think it’s time for you to apologize for a change; to the coaches, the team, and the fans! I’m waiting…………