The Bird Babe

By Suzan

December 2, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

horrible play calling by P-U-trino’s minions!

By Lynne

December 2, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Redman looked like Brady compared to Joey. Once the Rams kinda adjusted to him, yeah he came back to earth…but still…he is so far above Joey, in just a quarter of a game, that its just mind-boggling how Joey is even in the league at all.

By Manny

December 2, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Let’s look in the bright side…

Even though we may possibly go 3-13 this year, we only have 4 more games to go before it all ends.

Oh, and we get to see Michael Boley play in Hawaii!

By stendec

December 2, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Hi Bird Babe. Falcons did not give up? Uh huh! Quick, somebody get members of the Atlanta Police Department out to Flowery Branch, A crime has been committed! Falcon players have stolen paychecks again. Taking money under false pretenses. Drag all but Andersen, Norwood and Redman away. To Hell with their rights! These losers and quitters have none. Lock the C+++++++++S up then throw away the key. Lock ‘em up with Vick if possible. Even losers and quitters deserve company! Maybe one day there WILL be an NFL team in Georgia. Looking forward to THAT day!

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

SUZAN - Great game Joey!!!!!

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Stendec - You say the same thing every week. Aren’t the Vick comments getting old?

By stendec

December 2, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Unbiased. Which bothers you most? Falcons quitters from opening kickoff or Vick behind bars? Just wondering.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

STENDEC - I just don’t like dwelling on the obvious. Have you even noticed that Roddy White is on a pace for 70 receptions and 1,000+ yards, yet you never recognize that as a good player. Considering his previous 3-seasons that is pretty encouraging.

By CDS

December 2, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

So now it’s time to start coddling the 3rd stringer. Need I remind you all that Redman did this against the friggin Rams? They have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Now Petrino is going to say that Redman will be his starter for the rest of the season. And when he throws 4 picks against the Saints next week, I’m not going to say a word. I’ll just be sitting in my seat laughing at this pathetic excuse of a team.

By UnHappyFan

December 2, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

BirdBabe,

Your arguments about a ‘spark’ don’t hold up. Either one.

Coach Petrino’s price of being able to turn around this NFL team should make him a legend. Breaking all the rules works for the best. How could Blank afford one of the best ever seen? Why would the top NFL coach, perhaps of all times, stay in Atlanta?

But in the real world it would seem the odds favor another, very different, outcome.

By stendec

December 2, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

CDS. What the Hell did Harrington do against the SAME Rams for far more more minutes than Redman? Who led the losers to their ONLY touchdowns? Not Joey!

By Max

December 2, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

The play calling and clock management in the last few minutes of the game were terrible. We had the ball at mid-field with over a minute and a half left and two timeouts- why throw long on the first play? And, why not hurry up a little on the series before that, save some clock, take the field goal and then the final series is just about getting Morten in position, rather than asking Redman to throw long. Petrino makes a lot of questionable decisions.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Going 7-9 or 8-8 is looking pretty good right about now.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

If this team were a car, you’d total it.

If this team were a horse, you’d shoot it.

It’ll take five years of sensible drafts to bring this team around.

Begin with a General Manager that can recognize talent, not try to bail the team out with a bunch of has beens or never-have-beens.

Pitiful —- and instead of agonizing over whether or not Patrino will consider a college vacancy, he should be encouraged to pursue other interests.

Adios.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

THE ONLY REAL FALCON AND VICK FAN: Get off the crack! You’re ranting about Vick and can’t remember his record over the past two years.

Vick is gone. He’ll never suit up as a Falcon and will probably never suit up in the NFL again BECAUSE HE BROKE THE FREAKIN’ LAW DUMMIE! He was the leader of a CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE involing gambling. GET IT THROUGH YOU’RE HOLLOW HEAD, HE’S TOAST!

As far as his NFL career is concerned, VICK COMMITED SUICIDE.

By MACK73

December 2, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

No Offense! Horrible playcalling! Bad team!!!!!!!!!!

By Falcons are Losers

December 2, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

I guess I am beginning to sound like a broken record as well. But, hey, It’s all in the NAME. Atlanta is too ignorant to have a winning team. It is true that Vick was the best thing that ever happened to the city, but instead of building around him the fans chose to attempt to make Doug Johnson, and eventually Matt Schaub, heroes. Now, the fans are reduced to cherrypicking the weaknesses that led to another loss. It really doesn’t require much more than a little abstract thought to imagine what would have been had the fans demanded more talent in the earlier years. Instead, the fans wanted a quarterback that ‘looked’ like a ‘leader’. My suggestion is to wake up; there are no heroes on the bench. By the way, how did Schaub do today against Vince Young? Is Matt Leinhart still starting for Arizona? Did Jay Cutler lead the Broncos to the playoffs last year? How is Eli Manning doing since finding out those 4 interceptions last week weren’t his fault? Why does the media insist the Eagles have a quarterback controversy? Inspite of all of the issues with other teams, Atlanta has earned the title of ‘losers’.

By Birdy

December 2, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Seriously, I would like one journalist with courage and integrity to ask the team how they justify starting Warrick “Done” over either Norwood or Snelling.

Dunn gives the team no options, does not break tackles or outrun anyone. He gets only the yards the blocking provides. He is about as ineffective now at the NFL level as a high school RB would be.

The team scores two TDs with Redman/Norwood. The next two crucial possessions they reinsert the pitiful “Done” and those drives fizzle predictably.

Is Dunn playing significant minutes by some mandate — spoken or unspoken — by Arthur Blank? We have all heard Blank talk of having a team we’d be proud of “both on and off the field”. Do Dunn’s well-publicized community activities grant him undeserved playing time? do the other players suspect this is the case? Do these NFL players think Dunn is their best, most effective RB.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Falcons are losers: I agree. The Falcons must have a “black” quarterback. It doesn’t matter if he can throw an accurate pass or demonstrate leadership qualities on and off the field, we MUST HAVE A FREAKIN’ BLACK quarterback.

We must have a black quarterback, one who can dazzle the fans by running around like a chicken with his head cut off BETWEEN THE 20’s but not do crap in the RED ZONE.

Yesiree, we need a black quarterback, black coaches, black General Manager —- that’ll solve all the problems.

Simpleton!

By Falcons are Losers

December 2, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Boots,

While I will not challenge the fact that you are a ‘self proclaimed’ simpleton, I will challenge the notion of attempting to paraphrase my statements to provide discredit the meaning. To further illustrate these issues, we have a sitation where I explained the tendency to cherrypick attributes of players based on inconsistent criteria. Quarterbacks get judged by different standards depending on their race. But admitting that you are too simple to understand this is a good start.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

FALCONS ARE LOSERS - Well put, that was a very impressive post.

BOOTS - You are the one that is on crack if you think Vick will be banned for some stupid dogs. It’s obvious you didn’t see the news. Repeat felons only got sentenced to 18 & 21 months and they were heavy in the dog fighting industry. Now Vick has no prior record so guess what? He will get 12 months max, if even that and he will suit up again - sorry to burst you and the rest of ATLANTA “untrue” fans bubble. He will suit up again, and I’m sure he will not even want to play here again, but I’m sure he will be back to set some more records against the Falcons.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Quarterbacks are judged my the number of wins, not by how many yards they run within the 20’s.

* Vick was in the league for six years and was under .500 the last two years. What’s the big deal. He was a loser on and off the field.*

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - Now we are getting to the source of your problems. You are a racist. Vick running around with his head cut off, as you put it lead to a career 38-28 record, 2-playoff appearances, the only team to beat Brett Favre in Lambough in the playoffs, and a trip to the NFC Championship game. Get over yourself. Not convinced? Here are the facts:

List of NFL records and milestones In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards during the regular season. In 2006, Vick set the NFL record for most yards per carry in a season, at 8.4. When Vick and RB Jerious Norwood both ran for over 100 yards in Week 4 of the 2006 season, the Falcons became the only NFL team to ever record two games in a franchise’s history where both the quarterback and a running back on the same team surpassed the 100-yard mark in the same game. (Vick and Warrick Dunn both eclipsed 100 yards in Week 2 of the same season.) Vick (1,039 yards) and Dunn (1,140) became the first QB/RB tandem in NFL history to each go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the same season. They also became the fourth set of teammates in league history to each have 1,000 or more yards. The last set of teammates to accomplish the feat were Cleveland RBs Kevin Mack (1,104 yards) and Earnest Byner (1,002) in 1985. Earned his second consecutive and third overall Pro Bowl nod in 2005 as he passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to leading all NFL quarterbacks with 597 rushing yards and six scores. Named to the second Pro Bowl of his career after leading the Falcons to their third division title in team history and breaking numerous NFL and team records in 2004. Set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff win against the Rams. Became the first quarterback to ever throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game at the Broncos (October 31, 2004). Named to the 2002 Pro Bowl, becoming the seventh quarterback to be voted to the NFL All-Star game in his first year as a starter since 1970, joining Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins (1983), Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers (1992), Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams (1999), Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings (2000), Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles (2000), and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots (2001). This group would later include Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams (2003), Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers (2006), and Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys (2006). Top overall NFL draft choice in 2001 after a celebrated college career at Virginia Tech. Was the fourth Falcons #1 overall pick in club history (Tommy Nobis in 1966, Steve Bartkowski in 1975, Aundray Bruce in 1988)

By Boots

December 2, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

The Falcons, with Vick as quarterback, were 8-8 and 7-9 over the past two years.

With every passing year, Vick was getting further from the goal of a Super Bowl.

Vick, instead of getting better with experience, was getting worse as evidenced by the 8-8 and 7-9 record.

I really don’t think Vick was capable of learning from his experiences —- either on or off the field —- as evidenced by his lack of improvement on the field and his recurring inappropriate behaviors off the field.

Tell me how reaching the rushing record for a quarterback helped the Falcons toward the goal of a trip to the Super Bowl.

Vick is toast. He cannot read defenses and will never excel as a quarterback. And, it’s not because of his race. He’s just not very smart. A wonderful athlete, but a mediocre quarterback, at best.

By Falcons are Losers

December 2, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Boots,

Are you getting the picture? You attempted to cherrypick one attribute, wins. You then went on to say that Vick was under 500 his last two seasons, you forgot to mention that this was a seemingly remarkable feat given the host of players and their current record. You also forgot to mention that this could have been the reason he ran for over 1000 yards last year? That was called taking the matters into your own hands when your O-Line fails to block and your Receivers fail to catch the ball.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - 3-9 is a major improvement without Vick :)

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - 3-9 is a major improvement without Vick :) But if you want to get technical about the whole thing of winning football teams - name one team (Manning & New England) included, that has a good team without good receivers? Name me one.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

In the final analysis, the legacy of Michael Vick with the Falcons is that he embarrassed the team, coaches and an owner that offered him the world on a silver platter, but he chose to hang out with a bunch of thug homies watching dogs fight.

Watching dogs fight with a bunch of thug homies vs $130,000,000. He’s really intelligent, isn’t he?

And, by the way, he ran, because that’s all he knew how to do! But, quarterbacks don’t rush their way into the Super Bowl.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

FALCONS ARE LOSERS - You are wasting your breath trying to reason with someone who only speaks from a racist mentality. Vick could have won the superbowl and he would say “well the defense won the game” but if they lost and gave up 30 points, he would say “Vick didn’t put pressure on the other team”. The best thing for Vick would be out of Atlanta and come back and beat them bad.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

The funny thing is - he ran for 1,000 yards, yet he still managed to pass for nearly 2,500 yards and throw 20 touchdowns. Combine all 3-quarterbacks this year and they won’t come near the passing touchdowns. So BOOTS - Your name is fitting and if you were a football analyst, you would be getting the “boots” :)

By Boots

December 2, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Unbiased Blogger: You don’t know me and, instead of being able to discuss the relative merits of a quarterback in an intelligent fashion, resort to the tiring and boresome routine of calling me a “racist.”

That sure gets old. Get over it. Your messiah made a fool of himself and you’re trying to defend him.

MV7 could run like the wind, but couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a pass. And, threw a five yard pass with the same velocity as a forty yard pass. He had no touch.

As a quarterback, he reached his peak about three or four years ago and has been on a down hill plunge for the past several years —- and the W’s prove my point.

Sorry, bro, but those are the facts.&

By Famuan

December 2, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

Boots, Big difference in being optimistic for the playoff hunt at the beginning of December and being optimistic for the DRAFT at the beginning of November. Its December 2nd and you already know its a losing season….yeah…this is so much better than last year….who needs that feeling of still being in the hunt in week 14?? Its so much better being OUT of it in week 10.

By Dave

December 2, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with the previous blogger that Warrick “Done” is getting playing time that is unwarranted. The season is over for all practical purposes so why isn’t Snelling getting a look and Norwood getting more carries? This O-line can’t open holes for anybody but at least spare fans the sight of Warrick Dunn running into a stone wall at the line of scrimmage. He’s finished. Let him go out with dignity.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

I’ll kiss your patootey in the middle of Five Points and give you 30 minutes to draw a crowd the day that Michael Vick quarterbacks a team to the Super Bowl.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - Bro? Okay “Dude who stole my car” you are such a hypocrit. What has Joey Harrington & the rest of “surf squad” done this year? If Vick was so bad, how can you explain why the Falcons are 3-9?

You are as smart as a turnip :) You are a racist plain and simple. You want to talk about victories and Vick brought 38 of them with no offensive line, wide receivers and a 180 lb running back, who this year can’t even average 4 yards a carry, yet when Vick was playing, he averaged nearly 1,500 yards a season. So I wonder why that was. The bottom line is, if Vick had those talented receivers like Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss and Terrance Owens, I wonder how many superbowl rings we would have right now. No other quarterback could do so much with so little, so “boots” go talk to your “klan” buddies about that :)

By Lynne

December 2, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Will the AJC be gracing us with those lovely stories about Matt Schaub anymore?? No?? Why there were two or three at the beginning of the season…..wonder why they don’t want to mention him anymore. I guess that legend has been proven to be a myth.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - You have officially been deemed “insignificant” and therefore is invisible to the rest of the positive posters :)

By dirtybyrd

December 2, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

another week of woulda shouda bla bla bla one good thing redman finally got his chance and outplayed joey (shocking) rt duh . bad play calling by coaches the whole game whats new, draft pick status going up every week only good thing happening so far

By B-Man

December 2, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

Despite all you over-dramatic folks out there who always want to bash this or bash that, or start a race argument. I think there is something to the way Redman played. Take away the fact that the Rams are terrible too, Did anyone else see the way our ENTIRE TEAM responded to Redman. The energy stepped up, the quickness of the reads, and when the ball needed to be thrown away…it was. I’m not saying he’s the future of the team…but that was the best 2 drives of our season and I think he earned a couple of starts.

By jd

December 2, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

As usual, the ignorant Ni{gga} who calls himself the Biased_Blogger has made a fool of himself again. He is the most ignorant and racist Ni{gga} on the board. Ignore him.

By Tim

December 2, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Unbiased Blogger

“You are the one that is on crack if you think Vick will be banned for some stupid dogs.”

You are missing the BIG picture. Vick was bankrolling an illegal gambling operation. NFL doesn’t want that. Bad publicity. To top it off, to help with damage control, Vick was asked my management, and the Commissioner, if any of these allegations were true. Vick took the holier than thou path, and said nothing was true. Well, it was. Tomorrow we find out what his sentence will be. I seriously doubt you will see him in an NFL uniform again.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Unbias Blogger: …so I’ve been deemed insignificant and therefore isinvisible to the rest if the positive bloggers.

That’s horse hockey and you know it.

I’ve been a positive supporter of the Falcons since before you were a gleem in your father’s eye. My problem is and will continue to be **those of you who think things would be significantly different if only Miraculous Vick were on the field. My arguement is that he was there and only got worse with each passing year.

Regarding his receivers. If he had an all-star cast of receivers he , more often than not, didn’t hit his receivers. He either threw over their heads or behind them or without the touch necessary to catch the ball.

Vick was over-rated, over-paid, and his career is over because of his poor judgement, lack of integrity and stupidity.

I don’t care who it is, he let his team, coaches and owner down —- to say nothing of the fans of all races who paid their hard-earned money for tickets and merchandise.

He let us down and you guys can’t get over the fact that he wasn’t getting the job done in the “win” column and that he screwed the very people who made him the highest paid and most over-rated quarterback in the history of the National Football League.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

JD - Thanks for the compliment :)

By mike

December 2, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Sounds like the Unbiased_Blogger wants to turn Vick into Peter Pan and spread his peanut butter. You the man Blogger!

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

BOOTS - Okay lets say I agree with you and say Vick sucked. Now, if Vick sucks at 7-9 & 8-8 seasons, what do you call 3-9?

By Boots

December 2, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Double suck!!

By Suzan

December 2, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

It is just fascinating to read a litany of Vick accomplishments that meant absolutely nothing at the time they occurred and which mean even less now. That felon is not coming back here and he won’t be playing anywhere else in the NFL either. No team will take this lying, convicted, untalented albatross on. Give it a rest Biased Bozo! Vick once played in the NFL and was a failure. He also revealed himself to be a low criminal. You complain that folks judged him because of his appearance and that’s partly true. Hey, guess what, he looked like a criminal, dressed like a criminal, wore his hair like a criminal, hung out with criminals and, unbelievably, turned out to be, himself, a criminal. He’s in prison numbnuts! He’s a criminal! Racists didn’t put him in jail. He did that himself! Spare us the racist junk! vick’s critics were right about him and that’s what gets you upset. Well, be upset. We don’t care boy!

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

You guys are mad about the money - GET OVER IT :) Arthur gave the “brotha” the money (get mad at him) :) “DON’T HATE APPRECIATE” :)

By Tim

December 2, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Unbiased Blogger:

“Vick was playing, he averaged nearly 1,500 yards a season. So I wonder why that was. The bottom line is, if Vick had those talented receivers like Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss and Terrance Owens”

They would never come here. Like you said, Vick ran for a lot of yards. He was great between the 20’s. But once that field got short, he wasn’t that good. His running was great. His passing not so. Why would a team bring in those high priced receivers when the QB is just going to run with the ball.

Marvin Harrsion? I don’t see Manning running all over the place.

Randy Moss? Ditto, Brady is not a scrambler.

T.O. Romo is the biggest scrambler out of the three, but he’s still looking for receiver yards over running yards.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

List of NFL records and milestones In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards during the regular season. In 2006, Vick set the NFL record for most yards per carry in a season, at 8.4. When Vick and RB Jerious Norwood both ran for over 100 yards in Week 4 of the 2006 season, the Falcons became the only NFL team to ever record two games in a franchise’s history where both the quarterback and a running back on the same team surpassed the 100-yard mark in the same game. (Vick and Warrick Dunn both eclipsed 100 yards in Week 2 of the same season.) Vick (1,039 yards) and Dunn (1,140) became the first QB/RB tandem in NFL history to each go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the same season. They also became the fourth set of teammates in league history to each have 1,000 or more yards. The last set of teammates to accomplish the feat were Cleveland RBs Kevin Mack (1,104 yards) and Earnest Byner (1,002) in 1985. Earned his second consecutive and third overall Pro Bowl nod in 2005 as he passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to leading all NFL quarterbacks with 597 rushing yards and six scores. Named to the second Pro Bowl of his career after leading the Falcons to their third division title in team history and breaking numerous NFL and team records in 2004. Set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the 2004 NFC Divisional Playoff win against the Rams. Became the first quarterback to ever throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game at the Broncos (October 31, 2004). Named to the 2002 Pro Bowl, becoming the seventh quarterback to be voted to the NFL All-Star game in his first year as a starter since 1970, joining Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins (1983), Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers (1992), Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams (1999), Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings (2000), Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles (2000), and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots (2001). This group would later include Marc Bulger of the St. Louis Rams (2003), Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers (2006), and Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys (2006). Top overall NFL draft choice in 2001 after a celebrated college career at Virginia Tech. Was the fourth Falcons #1 overall pick in club history (Tommy Nobis in 1966, Steve Bartkowski in 1975, Aundray Bruce in 1988)

By Greg

December 2, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

There’s a little bit of stubbornness in Petrino, which is not all a bad thing. But it can occasionally flash as inflexibility. All season he seems to have taken the position that he will run Dunn in between the tackles, because “a good football team has to be able to do that.” This is crazy. And it showed more than ever today. Redman was getting great protection and we were really moving the ball. Then came those silly, stupid, down-wasting runs into the gut with Dunn getting murdered, as he had the whole game. This is not a good sign , folks. This is not smart coaching. I know Petrino is frustrated; I know he’s angry at the lack of talent he’s stuck with. But he simply often does not do what gives us the best chance to win. The offensive play-calling the whole season as bee C-. And that’s supposed to be his strength. He wouldn’t get my vote to be coach next year; but then, on the other hand, there’s going to continue to be a real talent deficit relative to other teams next year, so maybe it doesn’t really matter.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

More Sports

Saturday, January 4 Behind Vick, Falcons end Pack’s home playoff rule

RECAP | BOX SCORE| PLAY BY PLAY | DRIVE CHART

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — It looked so perfect for Green Bay. Snow falling. Packers in green and gold. Lambeau Field in January.

Only it wasn’t Brett Favre making all the plays.

Brett Favre suffered his first-ever loss at home in the playoffs Saturday at snowy Lambeau.

It was Michael Vick who looked right at home.

Undaunted by the storied stadium where his own coach lost in the “Ice Bowl” 35 years ago, Vick made history of his own Saturday night.

The 22-year-old improvisational genius led the Atlanta Falcons to a shocking 27-7 upset of the Packers in a wild-card playoff before a record crowd of 65,358 stunned souls.

“We were underdogs. We wanted to show ‘em we had the potential to come out and make history,” Vick said after his first NFL playoff game.

The Packers (12-5) were the only team to go unbeaten at home during the regular season. And they had never lost a home playoff game since the NFL instituted a postseason in 1933 in going 13-0 — 11 of the wins coming at Lambeau and two more in Milwaukee.

“That’s what we were talking about all week, the winning streak in the playoffs. It had to come to an end,” Vick said.

The closest the Packers had come to losing in the land of Lombardi was on New Year’s Eve 1967, when Bart Starr knifed into the end zone with 13 seconds left to give Green Bay a 21-17 victory over Dallas in the coldest game in NFL history.

Sherman, officials disagree
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Why Mike Sherman didn’t challenge a crucial call in Green Bay’s 27-7 playoff loss to Atlanta remains a mystery.

Sherman said he was told by an official he couldn’t review the call, and referee Bernie Kukar said the Packers’ coach never asked the crew about it.

“I talked to an official on the field. He led me to believe that it wouldn’t be reviewable,” Sherman said flatly.

“Nobody from this crew told him that,” Kukar insisted.

The disputed play came in the second quarter with Green Bay trailing 14-0. Atlanta’s Kevin McCadam pushed Tyrone Williams into Green Bay punt returner Eric Metcalf, and Falcons fullback George Layne recovered the muffed punt at the Packers 21.

Four plays later, the Falcons made it 21-0 when T.J. Duckett carried the pile 6 yards into the end zone as a shocked Sherman crouched on the sideline.

Had Sherman challenged the call, Green Bay would almost assuredly have gotten possession and dodged a major bullet because television replays clearly showed the punted ball clearly bounced off McCadam’s left shoulder.

“The ruling was that the ball had touched the Green Bay player first and then it was recovered by Atlanta,” Kukar said.

Kukar said a review should have been granted if Sherman wanted one.

“Yes, the touching of a kick is a reviewable situation,” Kukar said.

Kukar said the only discussion on the field about the play was among the officials and didn’t include Sherman, who never buzzed the officials or threw his red flag to signal his intention to dispute the call.

Sherman insisted a member of the officiating crew told him he couldn’t challenge the call, although he couldn’t remember a number or name.

— Associated Press

Falcons coach Dan Reeves threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on a halfback option that gave the Cowboys a 17-14 fourth-quarter lead in that game.

“Thirty-five years ago and they’re still showing that. And all I did was complete one little old pass,” Reeves said. “To be the first team to win a game up here, they’ll be showing this for a long time.”

Favre had built a reputation as the game’s greatest cold-weather quarterback, winning all 35 of his starts at home in which the temperature was 34 or below.

And what did Favre think of his second straight thumping in the playoffs?

Who knows.

For the first time in his career, he bolted without a word.

It was an unseasonably warm 31 degrees at kickoff. By the time snow began falling at halftime, the Falcons had an astonishing 24-0 lead.

Favre was without Pro Bowl running back Ahman Green (knee) and leading receivers Donald Driver (shoulder) and Terry Glenn (concussion) in a futile second-half comeback attempt.

Vick’s numbers weren’t great — 117 yards passing, 64 rushing — but he was his usual phenomenal self. Over and over, he turned broken plays into big ones.

“He’s amazing,” Reeves said. “It seems the tougher the situation the better he is.”

The Falcons (10-6-1), who had backed into the playoffs after losing three of four in December, will travel to Philadelphia for a divisional playoff next weekend.

The Packers, who just one week ago still had a shot at the home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, began their offseason much sooner than anyone expected.

“To say this is disappointing is as big an understatement as I could ever make,” an incensed Packers coach Mike Sherman said.

“Michael Vick’s a great player, he made some great plays, we couldn’t tackle him,” Sherman said. “But their whole team played well. It wasn’t just Michael Vick.”

Still deflated from their 42-17 defeat to the New York Jets last week that cost them a first-round bye, the Packers received a series of rapid-fire jolts in the first night playoff game in their history.

First, Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper (knee) was unable to play, leaving the Packers without their fastest defender to help contain Vick.

Their next best bet was a snowstorm, but it arrived too late.

“We were expecting bad weather, and it didn’t happen,” Vick said.

Atlanta, which hadn’t reached the end zone on its opening drive all season, went 76 yards in 10 plays, the payoff coming on Shawn Jefferson’s 10-yard touchdown catch.

Falcons linebacker Mark Simoneau beat Matt Bowen and blocked Josh Bidwell’s punt out of Green Bay’s end zone and Artie Ulmer smothered the loose ball for another Atlanta touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Then, Kevin McCadam pushed Tyrone Williams into Green Bay punt returner Eric Metcalf, and Falcons fullback George Layne recovered the muffed punt at the Packers 21.

Sherman didn’t challenge the call — and a review would have given Green Bay possession because the punted ball clearly bounced off McCadam’s left shoulder.

Sherman said he spoke with an official on the field, “but he (mistakenly) led me to believe it would not be reviewable.”

Four plays later, the Falcons made it 21-0 when T.J. Duckett carried the pile 6 yards into the end zone as a shocked Sherman crouched on the sideline.

The fervent Falcons then stopped the Packers with a goal-line stand with nose tackle Ellis Johnson dumping Green for a 4-yard loss on fourth down. Over Favre’s career, the Packers had scored 48 touchdowns and one field goal when they had faced first-and-goal.

As the much-awaited snow began falling, the exhilarated Falcons didn’t flinch. Vick led them 90 yards in 16 plays for Jay Feely’s 22-yard field goal on the final play of the first half for a 24-0 lead.

Favre, who had two interceptions and a fumble, hit Driver with a 14-yard touchdown on the first drive after halftime, but Driver re-injured his dislocated shoulder on the play and the Packers were done.

“We did a lot of things right this year in the regular season,” Sherman said. “We didn’t do them right in the postseason.”

Game notes The Falcons’ victory was their first in the playoffs since they upset Minnesota in the 1998 NFC title game. … Packers NT Gilbert Brown injured a hip. … The Falcons had no injuries of note.

More from ESPN…

ALSOSEE NFL Scoreboard

Green Bay Clubhouse

Atlanta Clubhouse

Clayton: A strange night in Green Bay

AUDIO/VIDEO

Nothing to Lose Michael Vick joins ABC’s Melissa Stark following the Falcons’ stunning upset of the Packers. Standard | Cable Modem

Early Exit Mike Sherman knows it takes a championship to please the people of Green Bay. Standard | Cable Modem

T.J.’s Take ESPN’s Tom Jackson talks about the Falcons win over the Packers. Standard | Cable Modem

OTHER GAMES

Final Indianapolis 0 NY Jets 41

Final Atlanta 27 Green Bay 7

Final Cleveland 33 Pittsburgh 36

Final NY Giants 38 San Francisco 39

By joe

December 2, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Vick was a better thsn average QB who was a below average passer. He could not read defenses. One assumes he is ignorant based on his speech and the way he carried himself. This was to be his last year to prove himself. Not all black qbs have failed. Howerver, the majority of black qbs have not shown the mental capacity or emotional stability to play the position. Vick should have been a receiver. He is not an NFL QB

By Boots

December 2, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

Unbiased Blogger: There is none so blind as he who WILL NOT see or so stupid as one who doesn’t want to be confused with facts because his mind is made up.

* Believe what you will. If you want to support Vick, patronize his wine tasting resturant (if it’s still open) or his liquor store (if it’s still open) as that’s about all he contributed to the city of Atlanta.*

I’ll admit, the story of Michael Vick is a tragedy. It’s sad. It’s unfortunate. And, it was unnecessary. However, Vick would not listen to those who had his best interest at heart. Choosing rather to cavort with thugs.

Now, he has to pay the fiddler. Sad.

By Tim

December 2, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

It is a tragedy Boots. This man had millions. He was one of the most popular players in the league. He had fans all over. And he p** it all away.

Stupid.

By Lynn

December 2, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

How is it that Joey Harrington was ever thought to be even a decent backup?? Actually….what made anyone think any facet of this team was half-way decent without Mike Vick?? Please…how can anyone still be so much in denial about what this team ACTUALLY is…this team was average all because one player had to carry it…hell…ONE…ONE person had to carry the whole freaking franchise! THat player is out…and THIS IS WHAT THE FALCONS ARE….a pitiful, pathetic, out of the playoffs in November, half empty Dome, 1 second mention on NFL Sunday Countdown and Total Access, irrelevant joke. Asked what QB is his team’s MVP, Tom Jackson said Michael Vick…TWO WEEKS AGO…DAMN…how clear is that?? His abscense has just exposed the entire offense for what it is…NOTHING. The rushing game?? Absymal. Offense ranked #12 last year, is #28 NOW…yeah…THAT’S BETTER….Geez. What free agent wants to come here? Hell, even Matt Ryan said “no thanks” to the thought of being drafted by the Falcons. How truly sad….you idiots can’t even admit the Falcons are JUST WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE….out of the playoff hunt in week 10, as opposed to still being in it at week 14 must just be TOO much for you haters to handle. Oh well….welcome back 1987…just move the games to some high school, at least the stadium will look full.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

BOX SCORE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total St. Louis Rams (9-9) 7 10 0 0 17 Atlanta Falcons (12-5) 14 14 10 9 47

SCORING SUMMARY First Quarter ATL TD, Alge Crumpler 18 Yd Pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely Kick) 12:00 Falcons 7-0 STL TD, Kevin Curtis 57 Yd Pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins Kick) 9:14 7-7 ATL TD, Warrick Dunn 62 Yd Run (Jay Feely Kick) 7:52 Falcons 14-7 Second Quarter ATL TD, Warrick Dunn 19 Yd Run (Jay Feely Kick) 9:58 Falcons 21-7 STL TD, Torry Holt 28 Yd Pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins Kick) 5:26 Falcons 21-14 ATL TD, Allen Rossum 68 Yd Punt Return (Jay Feely Kick) 0:59 Falcons 28-14 STL FG, Jeff Wilkins 55 Yd FG 0:00 Falcons 28-17 Third Quarter ATL TD, Peerless Price 6 Yd Pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely Kick) 10:05 Falcons 35-17 ATL FG, Jay Feely 38 Yd FG 5:54 Falcons 38-17 Fourth Quarter ATL Safety, Brady Smith Safety 11:39 Falcons 40-17 ATL TD, T.J. Duckett 4 Yd Run (Jay Feely Kick) 1:54 Falcons 47-17

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

LYNN - Don’t waste your time with these idiots.

By Falcons are Losers

December 2, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Unbiased_Blogger,

The statistics you posted are representative of facts, not illusions of facts. They did, in fact, happen. As you and I both know, this discussion isn’t about facts. If it were, then the mere fact that Falcons are 3-9 with no fans at the game will be the one fact that tells a huge story of a city too ignorant to have a successful team. At a time when the city’s media (AJC) and Sports talk stations (680 The Fan) should’ve expressed gratitude with having such a dynamic force at the QB position while lobbying for more protection at the O-line, receivers who could get open a actually catch the ball, and a competent coaching staff (not one from a mediocre team), then the Falcons may have had a chance. As you can see, other things are more important. Fans at the dome actually chanted ‘We Want Joey’ a couple of weeks ago. There you have it, the certain ‘simpleton’ and other retards who proclaim themselves to be part of a race that is somehow intellectually superior than other races cannot seem to distinguish from rhetoric and reality.

By Suzan

December 2, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Tragedy? It was wonderful that this criminal was caught, convicted and imprisoned. As for the money, that’s all gone too! Bankruptcy is not far off for old Peabrain! Hate on that moron!

By Miranda

December 2, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

My God…..has anyone really looked at Warrick Dunn’s career stats?? He hasnt had a year yet that was better than the one Adrian Peterson is having now…and its his rookie season. The only reason he had decent seasons in Atlanta was because the defense had to account for #7 in the backfield. Damn….Mike Vick sure did feed a lot of people.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

FALCONS ARE LOSERS - Well put. It is impossible to debate with people who have the i.q. of a football.

By Falcon Freddie

December 2, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

I thought that Redman looked good coming off the bench in relief of Joey Harrington. He came within a few plays from making a great comeback. Harrington was overthrowing and under throwing receivers. Wilt Chamberlain could not have caught some of his passes. I was glad the announcer laid the blame on Harrington rather than blame the receivers for not being able to jump ten feet as they sometimes do. Harrington was not reading the blitz well and did not get rid of the ball efficiently. He should have been trying to make checkdown passes or scramble out of the pocket to give the offensive line some help and keep the Ram’s Defense off balance. He basically stood back there and said “come and get me if you can”; and they did. In Joey’s defense, he did look very intelligent standing on the sidelines and rather dashing, I might add. Who does his hair? He did have a nice pitchout to Norwood that worked well, but most plays seemed to lacking. Joey, with his clean cut looks and perfect smile should have a brilliant career as a color analyst in a medium sized television market. Joey also seemed to take being pulled out of the game better this time, than he did several weeks ago. Don’t get me wrong, I would have thrown a temper tantrum too, if I had just led my team to 1 or 2 victories and was benched also. The most improved player was Roddy White. When he was dropping every ball thrown his way last year, I wondered whether the Falcons had wasted a draft pick. Today, he made several great second efforts after the catch that kept the drives moving. Vick discussions, while entertaining do not deal with the issues at hand. I would finish up the year splitting time between all three QBs with Redman getting enough time to be evaluated. I’m guessing a 4-12 win/lose record will get us the number 4 or 5 draft pick. That should be good enough to get a descent future starter. I would still go with Redman until the offensive line is better. It’s time to make Norwood the starter. Business is business and Mr. Dunn should understand that. That’s my take. I think if Atlanta is playing at the same level against New Orleans and Tampa Bay, things may get real ugly. It almost got out of hand today.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Tim, Regardless of what some of our black friends think, I’m an ol’ white guy who was really enthused when Vick was given the opportunity to lead this team. However, as time went by, I saw the reality of the situation. Mike has a fight or flight reaction because he can’t read defenses. He’s a great athlete, but a poorly equipped quarterback. Blank opened the doors to the vault and gave Vick the opportunity to be wealthy far beyond the $130 mil. Blank treated him like a son and would have guided his investments etc., but Vick was tied to his ghetto mentality —- the need to be accepted in the hood —- and literally threw away hundreds of millions of dollars.

This is a tragedy of monumental proportions.

I can’t see Vick playing in the NFL again. My guess is he’ll get at least 24 months and that will put him at the earliest in 2010, assuming the commissioner of the NFL doesn’t suspend him when he gets out of jail. That much time away from the field will render him useless.

Unfortunately, and I say that sincerely, the next words we hear from Vick will probably be: “Welcome to MacDonald’s. May I take your order.”

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

MIRANDA - The “Intelligent” bloggers welcome you :) They know who this team was and still is, but don’t waste your breath with these idiots and they know who they are.

By Chucktown Dawg

December 2, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF….

Will the Falcons please relocate somewhere else??

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Falcons 47, St. Louis Rams 17

The Atlanta Falcons took control early against the St. Louis Rams and never looked back. QB Michael Vick, often called the most electrifying player in the National Football League, rushed for 119 yards on eight carries to set a postseason record for a quarterback. RB Warrick Dunn added another 126 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, all in the first half.

St. Louis, fresh off its upset of the Seahawks in the wildcard round, never got in sync on offense, defense, or special teams. QB Marc Bulger was consistently harassed by Atlanta defenders, suffering four sacks, one interception, and a safety.

By Suzan

December 2, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

I’m not aware of anyone proclaiming themselves to be intellectually superior to any racial group. However, many, including myself, proclaim intellectual superiority to you. You are a Vick defending insect with no compunction as to prevarication. spare us any more of your bleating! That felon is where he belongs and he will be there a long time! Bite down on that bytch!

By Lynn

December 2, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Seriously, how is it that there is STILL denial about how sorry this team really is and that this franchise RELIED upon ONE person…PERIOD! This entire franchise rode Vick’s back! All of you who got your little hopes up over a pre-season game got a crash landing back to Earth, but you hate so much you can’t even admit how completely untalented this team is on its face. The season couldn’t even get half-way finished and already a television black-out….its Dec 2nd and the only talk is the April draft…..not that the team is still in the playoff hunt. Truly insane that haters can’t see the difference between still going strong in week 14 and punking out in week 10…this time last year the Falcons still had a chance…now all you’ve got is apathy.

By sam

December 2, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

to Falcons are Losers,”Michael Vick is the best thing that ever happened to this city” Are you kidding? Get your head checked?

By sam

December 2, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

to Falcons are Losers,”Michael Vick is the best thing that ever happened to this city” Are you kidding? Get your head checked.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Season-by-season log Leaders Off Ranks Def Ranks
Year LG Team name Record Coach Pass Rush Receive Pt Yd Pt Yd Out of 2007 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-8-0 Petrino Harrington Dunn White 31 26 19 17 32 2006 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Mora Jr. Vick Dunn Crumpler 25 9 16 21 32 2005 NFL Atlanta Falcons 8-8-0 Mora Jr. Vick Dunn Crumpler 14 13 18 24 32 2004 NFL Atlanta Falcons 11-5-0 Mora Jr. Vick Dunn Crumpler 16 18 14 17 32 2003 NFL Atlanta Falcons 5-11-0 Reeves, Phillips Johnson Duckett Price 20 30 30 32 32 2002 NFL Atlanta Falcons 9-6-1 Reeves Vick Dunn Finneran 5 14 8 23 32 2001 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Reeves Chandler Smith Mathis 23 11 24 30 31 2000 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-12-0 Reeves Chandler Anderson Jefferson 27 30 26 23 31 1999 NFL Atlanta Falcons 5-11-0 Reeves Chandler Oxendine Mathis 23 26 25 15 31 1998 NFL Atlanta Falcons 14-2-0 Reeves Chandler Anderson Martin 4 6 4 8 30 1997 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Reeves Chandler Anderson Emanuel 18 22 21 21 30 1996 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-13-0 Jones Hebert Anderson Emanuel 19 15 30 29 30 1995 NFL Atlanta Falcons 9-7-0 Jones George Heyward Metcalf 11 9 19 29 30 1994 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Jones George Heyward Mathis 15 7 24 28 28 1993 NFL Atlanta Falcons 6-10-0 Glanville Hebert Pegram Rison 12 10 28 24 28 1992 NFL Atlanta Falcons 6-10-0 Glanville Miller Broussard Rison 11 11 28 28 28 1991 NFL Atlanta Falcons 10-6-0 Glanville Miller Broussard Haynes 5 10 20 24 28 1990 NFL Atlanta Falcons 5-11-0 Glanville Miller Broussard Rison 11 9 21 19 28 1989 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-13-0 Campbell, Hanifan Miller Settle Collins 22 23 28 28 28 1988 NFL Atlanta Falcons 5-11-0 Campbell Miller Settle Settle 25 25 11 23 28 1987 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-12-0 Campbell Campbell Riggs Dixon 28 28 28 28 28 1986 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-8-1 Henning Archer Riggs Brown 21 15 6 2 28 1985 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-12-0 Henning Archer Riggs Johnson 26 17 28 25 28 1984 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-12-0 Henning Bartkowski Riggs Bailey 22 16 22 14 28 1983 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Henning Bartkowski Andrews Bailey 10 8 23 24 28 1982 NFL Atlanta Falcons 5-4-0 Bennett Bartkowski Andrews Andrews 14 7 21 13 28 1981 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-9-0 Bennett Bartkowski Andrews Jenkins 2 7 18 15 28 1980 NFL Atlanta Falcons 12-4-0 Bennett Bartkowski Andrews Jenkins 5 3 6 19 28 1979 NFL Atlanta Falcons 6-10-0 Bennett Bartkowski Andrews Francis 19 14 26 25 28 1978 NFL Atlanta Falcons 9-7-0 Bennett Bartkowski Bean Francis 26 25 14 7 28 1977 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-7-0 Bennett Hunter Stanback Jenkins 25 26 1 1 28 1976 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-10-0 Campbell, Peppler Bartkowski Bean Jenkins 24 27 22 21 28 1975 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-10-0 Campbell Bartkowski Hampton Jenkins 19 20 15 22 26 1974 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-11-0 VanBrocklin, Campbell Lee Hampton Burrow 26 26 16 15 26 1973 NFL Atlanta Falcons 9-5-0 VanBrocklin Lee Hampton Burrow 7 8 9 5 26 1972 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-7-0 VanBrocklin Berry Hampton Malone 16 16 14 6 26 1971 NFL Atlanta Falcons 7-6-1 VanBrocklin Berry Butler Burrow 13 13 26 1970 NFL Atlanta Falcons 4-8-2 VanBrocklin Berry Butler Mitchell 22 11 26 1969 NFL Atlanta Falcons 6-8-0 VanBrocklin Berry Butler Flatley 11 7 16 1968 NFL Atlanta Falcons 2-12-0 Hecker, VanBrocklin Berry Butler Long 16 15 16 1967 NFL Atlanta Falcons 1-12-1 Hecker Johnson Coffey McDonald 16 16 16 1966 NFL Atlanta Falcons 3-11-0 Hecker Johnson Coffey Hawkins

By Miranda

December 2, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

The Falcons won’t see a nationally televised game for another decade. I anticipate those Falcons 365 stores will be having liquidation sales pretty soon. Tickets for this upcoming MNF game are going for as low as $5 on stubhub….a freaking college QB joked he didn’t want to be drafted here and the Texans fans are mad as hell that they are stuck with a broken up QB that has just as many interceptions as TD passes….yet haters here think he was some mythical Zeus like athlete. Its sheer comedy. Blank better be glad the league believes in corporate welfare and share the revenue…because these same haters so happy with that “athletic” QB being gone, are certainly not patronizing his franchise now..not that they ever were.

By Boots

December 2, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

This time last year we were entering into the second consecutive second half collapse.

And, if you’ll remember, Vick confessed that he really didn’t put forth his best effort.

The Falcons are in the mess they’re in because they depended on Vick to be there —- and he lied and let them down.

Blank was totally taken in by Vick and his future value to the franchise. The face of the franchise, the $130 million dud, embarrassed the franchise at ever turn including the STD, stolen watch at the airport, bird-shooting the fans,water bottle with the secret compartment —- but who would have thought he’d be so dumb as to leave his team in a bind due to heading up a criminal enterprise of dog fighting?

Un-freakin’- believeable!

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 2, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Updated: October 26, 2006, 8:48 AM ET Email Print Michael Vick isn’t the most accomplished passer and certainly qualifies as an unconventional quarterback but, still, it’s amusing to hear predictions that the Falcons never will win a Super Bowl. At least, not until Vick becomes more of a pocket passer. Or learns to beat teams from the pocket. Or however the doubters phrase it.

Never mind that Vick has played in and lost the same number of conference championship games as Peyton Manning. Or that Vick’s .630 winning percentage as Atlanta’s starter is better than every active quarterback not named Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Marc Bulger or Manning (Peyton, that is).

In fact, the top five quarterbacks in career passing yards have only two titles among them. Take it a step further: Among the top 20, only five have won a Super Bowl. Point is, just because a primarily scrambling quarterback hasn’t won the Super Bowl doesn’t mean it can’t happen, especially considering Vick and the Falcons already have come within one win of reaching the Super Bowl. You can doubt whether a running QB like Vick can win the Super Bowl, but acknowledge that doing it the other way doesn’t guarantee ultimate victory, either. If it were that simple Dan Marino, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts and Jim Kelly each would have a title to show for all those yards they passed for from the pocket. There are plenty of conventional QBs who didn’t win it all.

However he does it, Vick just gets it done. His head coach, Jim Mora, has said it time and again: You can’t judge Vick the way you do other quarterbacks, you have to focus on the results. Vick on Sunday improved to 35-21-1 as a starter. I’ll take the odds that if he stays healthy, one year Vick will win a few games in succession in the postseason.

For now, though, Atlanta is 4-2 and 2-1 in the NFC South with New Orleans and Carolina still having to visit the Georgia Dome. I’m not sure whether Vick’s doubling his career high with four touchdown passes in the Falcons’ 41-38 shootout win over Pittsburgh means that he’s turned the corner as a passer. We’ve jumped the gun and believed he’d done that before, so we’ll wait and see. But what I’m sure I saw Sunday was a leader. That’s an area in which Vick has seemingly been lacking in the past, especially in terms of work ethic, and he’s been criticized for it. But I don’t know how anyone can say Vick isn’t a field general after what he did against the Steelers.

As if Vick isn’t scrutinized enough, he shone the spotlight even brighter on himself last week by saying in an HBO interview that he wished the Falcons’ coaches would show more trust in his passing ability and allow him to throw more. He also acknowledged that he sometimes wished, if even for a day, that he played with an elite wide receiver, such as Marvin Harrison.

Tight end Alge Crumpler told me it was a very quiet — and not in a good way — week in Flowery Branch, Ga.

Perhaps Vick’s comments qualify as throwing one’s coaches and teammates under the proverbial bus. But when it came time to play, Vick drove the bus. And his teammates got on. That’s leadership.

Juxtapose that with Edgerrin James of the Cardinals. Two weeks ago, after a last-minute loss to the Chiefs, the Arizona running back complained publicly about not getting the rock more in crunch time. The following week, with his team trying to hold on against Chicago, James had a fumble returned for a touchdown and apparently blew a pass protection assignment that led to a sack and another fumble returned for a touchdown.

With the onus squarely on him, Vick backed up his demands by tossing three touchdowns to Crumpler and another to wideout Michael Jenkins. Vick’s best play, though, was an improvisation on the game-winning drive in overtime that saw him elude Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu and find Crumpler for a 26-yard completion.

Leaders don’t always do so from the lectern, the podium or “Inside the NFL.” Not all leaders say what’s politically correct all the time. But leaders show up and sometimes just will their teams to wins on game day. That’s what Vick did Sunday.

I spoke to Vick the day after Atlanta’s season-opening win at Carolina, when he was efficient in passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He talked about how he was beginning to understand not only what he was being asked to do, but what defenses were trying to do in terms of coverage. He acknowledged being a little too happy with himself after his 2002 season, when he passed for nearly 3,000 yards and rushed for nearly 800. He admitted to not applying himself to learning Greg Knapp’s offense the way he should have. So he and his receivers worked hard together in the offseason. It sounded like Vick had come to understand his responsibility as the quarterback.

He had a responsibility to hold up his end of the bargain Sunday after he pleaded for more opportunities to throw, and he delivered the way a leader should.

Vick deserves more props than skepticism after his career performance. The same teammates he dissed earlier, he encouraged when they weren’t playing well or when things weren’t going well against Pittsburgh.

Give credit to Knapp, too, for putting Vick in the best position to succeed against the Steelers. What Knapp did was get Vick out of the pocket and have him throw from the perimeter. It’s called “moving the launch pad.” That way Vick wasn’t as much of a sitting duck and had more of an opportunity to set his feet.

“When Mike sets his feet, he throws balls better than any QB out there,” Crumpler said. “He was throwing darts out there.”

I’m certainly not ready, after one outstanding performance, to say that all is well with the Falcons or that they should change their identity from a running to a passing offense. But Atlanta with a passing game is scary. It already was difficult enough to stop the run without the threat of Vick’s throwing for four scores. Still, teams will continue to try to force Vick to beat them by throwing the football. If he can keep making them pay for that strategy there are sure to be more 40-point games in the Falcons’ future.

We have to remember that Vick is just 26 years old. Manning likes to tell his critics to wait until his career is over before we put it into the context of what he didn’t accomplish. Same with Vick. Maybe he doesn’t do it the way we’re accustomed to, but he’s a quarterback. Sunday he did what quarterbacks are supposed to do, what Vick does a lot for the Falcons. He led his team to a victory it desperately needed.

By Famuan

December 2, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Unbiased Blogger, They WANT to lose..they prefer 3-13 or 4-12. If they could, they would go back in time to Fulton County Stadium with 10,000 people on hand, and no hope of the playoffs or even a player getting to the ProBowl. This is what THEY WANT.

By Suzan

December 2, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Fascinating! Nice job of cutting and pasting, which is all you are intelligent enough to do. Nobody cares! Vick is isn prison and that’s all we care about. The dark blight upon the Falcons has been removed and it is going to remain that way! Vick is done in the NFL. None of your cutting and pasting and crying about his fate will change a thing! The Falcons are horrible but it has more to do with the awful coaching than with the talent level on the team. Vick was an awful quarterback and anybody who plays that position is better than he!

By terrell barron

December 2, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Im glad we lost. Just waiting on Macfadden. If Oakland doesnt grab him first. Miami,St.Louis,San Fran, or the Jets dont need a running back.

By Famuan

December 2, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Wanna talk about crimes…Keith Brooking getting a paycheck is downright armed robbery. Warrick “1.7 yards a carry”…now that’s a crime. <