The Bird Babe

By Len

September 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Well, this team’s done what no other Falcon team in history had done, easily win a game they should win. Remember when you know who was QB against the Browns a few years back?

They laid an egg last week, they had the Milloy distraction, it was all setting up to be a classic Falcon debacle. But they came out ready and prepared and took their opponent seriously. I like the mojo between Ryan and White. Props to Smitty and D.

By Bryant

September 21, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Even though the Chiefs suck, we all know that even a terrible team can sneak up and pull out a win on any given week, so I’m very pleased with the Falcons win today. The offensive line did a great job protecting Matt Ryan today. I don’t think he got sacked at all. Also, anybody who has any doubts about his arm strength should erase those doubts after watching his 70 yard TD pass to Roddy White. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood were very effective once again. Our run game is very dangerous.

The defense bent a little, but they made a great stand when it counted. You have to give a lot of credit to John Abraham. He’s the only real pass rusher that we have, but he leads the league in sacks. If we can ever get pressure from the other side, our defensive line will be unstoppable. Kudos to the secondary for coming up with 3 INT’s and returning one for a TD to put the nail in the coffin.

This was a great win, but we will definitely have to step it up a couple of notches next week. Carolina lost to Minnesota today, so you can bet they will be looking to notch another win, especially at our expense. Let’s head up to Charlotte and beat the Panthers!

By Mark

September 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Good job Dirty Birds. Keep it up!!!

By Bryant

September 21, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

And another thing: Somebody call the guy who predicted that we would be 1-15 and tell him his was wrong!

By The Chiefs?

September 21, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Next week the Panthers…then Green Bay….Soul II Soul is warming up.

By richbrave

September 21, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

GOOD POINT regarding the opposition. But at least there are W’s going up on the scoreboard. Last year it really didn’t matter who the FALCONS played. Those stand tall letters were in short supply.

Don’t notice much “thugs” and “gangsta’s” talk here this season either. Just a little DUI blip. Our man RAY can help with that. Maybe the fans have noticed a different aura about the team. I have.

By Phalcon Phil

September 21, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

richbrave: good point here too.

Don’t notice much “thugs” and “gangsta’s” talk here this season either. Just a little DUI blip. Our man RAY can help with that. Maybe the fans have noticed a different aura about the team. I have.

It’s a new era! This team actually RESPECTS the game. No room for thugs and posers here anymore.

Tough few weeks coming up before the bye. I think we’re up to the challenges though.

By Fans? What Fans?

September 21, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

richbrave, there is no thugs or gangsta talk because the racist inbreds that spawned that talk are back in their holes not giving one iota about the Falcons. They only came out to spew their hatred that you apparently mistook for fan commentary…..NOT! They didn’t give a F— about the Falcons, just wanted to bash certain players of color. The same players that gave this franchise the relevance to get ESPN to mention the team at all. Well those guys are gone, and so are the inbred commentary. Did you really think they cared? Oh….did you not see the half-full Dome? Yep, so you can take your thugs and gangsta talk and see if those 20,000 empty seats get filled up at some point this season by the same ones that used to pollute the blogs with it.

By richbrave

September 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

FANS? WHAT FANS?:

I suspect that fannies will fill the seats when the team earns their respect. W’s have a way of doing that, and I expect to see many more of them. And don’t pin that jive crap on me. Just ask my man RAY what I’m about.

By Eric

September 21, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

I was just telling someone last week that the Falcons are way ahead of schedule. Ryan is better than expected of him to this point, and the offensive line is just nasty. The corners are short but aggressive and good. The backfield of Turner and Norwood may be the best combo in the entire league. This is the most discipline and organized Falcons team I have ever witnessed. I just wished the schedule wasn’t so brutal. Go Falcons!!!

By boxer99

September 21, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

I think the guy who predicted the falcons to be 1-15 is either “Vick Supporter”, or “unbiased blogger” two of whom have no sense and shouldnt even be allowed to write on this blog because of thier ignorance. I wonder were those two a* clowns are…..probably visiting Convick in the can. Hopefully they stay there permeanaetly! Oh yeah Go Birds

By Eric

September 21, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

To boxer99, if anyone is ignorant it’s you. Talk football, and stop all this name calling. Stop mentioning Vick, let him serve his time. MOVE ON!!!!

By Justin

September 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

boxer99……..I was waiting to see who would be the first ignorant a* to bring up Vick and you are the first place winner!

By Bryant

September 21, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Boxer99, the guy who predicted we would be 1-15 is a writer for a sports magazine. I believe it’s The Sporting News.

By Roddy White

September 21, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

You see that catch I made? I’m glad Vick is in jail. We got a QB that can actually throw now. I’m gonna put up 1,500 yards this season. Vote for me the pro bowl!

By Fans? What Fans?

September 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

richbrave, the Falcons sold out how many games in 1998? Did they sell out the season tickets leading up to 1999? Sorry but you must not really follow the Falcons and you obviously no nothing about marketing in the 21st century

Oh yeah, the answers are 1 and 0 respectively.

By Iamhappy

September 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Bottom line is Matt Ryan is a STUD. He’s going to be a top shelf NFL QB who can make all the throws. Dimitroff knows his stuff and I am thankful we have him. The future is bright and the team is a TEAM! Good times are ahead.

By The Truth

September 21, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

No Justin you’re wrong…technically speaking Len was the first to bring up Vick…just didn’t do it by name. What’s even funnier is that these same people are the one’s that can’t seem to get past Vick while the “Vick Supporters” have let it go and moved on. Guess what….I’m a “Vick Supporter” but i’m also a supporter of the Falcons…been a fan every since I was a kid. So it’d be nice if some of you who didn’t support Vick finally moved on. It’s been a year and you still can’t get his name out of your mouth. On to the business at hand.

I want to be one of the first to step up and apologize to Dimitroff and Mike Smith because I was one of the ones that did not agree with the draft pick of Matt Ryan - not because he wasn’t a good ball player but because I believe you build a team from the line back. That being said I like the way we’re bringing him along. I understand when people like to mention the team you’re going against but this is not college football - this is the NFL. Any given Sunday anybody can beat you…just take a look at NE vs. MIA. No matter what it looks like on paper you still have to go out and play the game and then win the game. I like the job that the staff has done putting this team together and will enjoy watching the team continue to grow. All that’s left is for us to draft that DE from Ga Tech #93 Michael Johnson because we’re still not getting pressure from the other guy on the DE…..what’s his name again???? Oh yeah…Jamal Anderson….

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 21, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

The last time the Falcons played the Chiefs was in the 2004 season. The Falcons’ were quarterbacked by Mike Vick. The Falcons put up ten points that day. The Chiefs scored 56!

By preston

September 21, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Eric……I agree 100% with your 6:38pm comment, I could not have said it any better…….boxer99 just needs to STFU!!!

By stendec

September 21, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Falcons to be commended for victory. They are thus commended! Did not like lack of effort by defenders to keep Chiefs scorless by non-tackle at goal line in closing seconds of half. Any effort whatsoever in form of tackle would have kept visitors off scoreboard. Frustrated at unconcern to start new half as Chiefs waltzed uncontested down field to complete 14-0 scoring run. Keith “No Tackle” Brooking needs to go! Announcers made big deal over supposed tackle he appeared to make. HE MISSED! Normal for this untalented loser. Only brain-dead punt returner kept Falcons from turnover-free outing. Cut this bozo! Other than that it was a solid effort. At least the guys in bird helmets over the .500 mark for a few games. GO FALCONS!

By preston

September 21, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

Here we go again…sounds like the jackazzes are comming out of their holes again with these backhanded comments against a qb that no longer plays for this team……first they told us that Doug Johnson was the man…..then it was Matt Schaub (whom the texans fans are about ready to run out of towm), then last yr it was Joey Harrington. You people are pathetic….you have no credibility, but yet you still want to fill up the blogs with the most lamest comments about Vick, whom is no longer affiliated with this team. Can we at least watch a game….good or bad, without having to hear you hypocrites say anything about him?

By Brian

September 21, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

The thing that impresses me the most about Matt Ryan is his maturity. To go from his horrible game last week and to go on to win this game is awesome. I really think he will be a top level quarterback because he has a good level head on his shoulders. With a balanced attack on offense, Falcons will do better than people think.

By bigman

September 21, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Great Game Falcons. Just the way I like it STRESS FREE WIN

By bigman

September 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Great Game Falcons. Just the way I like it STRESS FREE WIN

By RA

September 21, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Hey, today was a great effort, but the babe is right, it’s a long road, and folks, we’re all very much on the young team roller coaster. Now, the truth of the matter is that a lot of folks, self included (I’m just keeping it real), had given up this season for lost, and I still don’t think that this team is going to make this season one for the record books. HOWEVER, I do believe that they have a decent chance at respectability this season, and no, I’m not talking playoffs. I’m talking about other teams knowing that they have to do a little bit more than dress the minimum amount of warm bodies necessary to play a team in order to beat us. Make no mistake, we still have a long way to go and a lot of pain left to endure (some of which we may feel next week), but I honestly believe that at some point (that point being a season or two down the road) this flock of birds will be a team to rekon with.

By RA

September 21, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Preston please keep the language down. There may be ladies present.

By Madden King

September 21, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

This team is simple, Turner and Norwood gets the work load, defense plays tough, Matt Ryan throws 1 good pass a game and we win, you can put any QB on this team as long as they throw 1 good pass we win the game, these are the best coaches we had since the Reeves era, just wait until Vick gets back, HOLLA!

By preston

September 21, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

lol……RA…….sorry

By Brian F.

September 21, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

WAIT UNTIL VICK GET’S BACK !! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING !! TO HELL WITH VICK !!

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 21, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

The last time the Falcons played the Chiefs was in the 2004 season. The Falcons’ were quarterbacked by Mike Vick. The Falcons put up ten points that day. The Chiefs scored 56!

Hey Madden, in the game in 2004 Vick didn’t throw one good pass. That chump is in prison and isn’t coming back here. Holla b***!

By Falfan

September 21, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

What a great name, “Madden King”, and I hope your faking your blog. Surely you understand that he isn’t coming back here. When he comes back, and is approved to play by the commissioner, the Falcons will barter him for a draft pick. He will never play here again.

By Ryno

September 21, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to talk about the QB position for once. Our defense has to improve.

The run defense was great in the first half - but a lack of depth lead to Larry Johnson’s very big 2nd half. Secondary is playing better, but needs more experience.

We really need to play well next week and the crowd needs to be big against Chicago or we could be looking at 4 losses in a row.

By AJ

September 21, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

I followed Matt Ryan during his BC days and you knew back then he could be a great pro quaterback. He knows how to win. I am now a Falcon’s fan, although I live in New England. GO FALCONS!!!

By BUBBA

September 21, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

WHY DID’NT THEY DO THIS LAST WEEK? I’M HAPPY ABOUT THE WIN, BUT I WANT TO SEE THEM BEAT THE TOUGH TEAMS, IM TIRED OF THE BUCS BEATING THE FALCONS DAMMIT??? WHERE WAS THIS RUNNING AND PASSING AND CATCHING LAST WEEK MAN????

By Manny

September 21, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

We did well against the Chiefs. The running game really took the edge off because Ryan cannot win the game on his own. Plus, the defense was really strong and got a lot of pressure on the QB. And Ryan made some good passes.

That being said, we’re talking about the Chiefs. Right now, there’s a concerted effort in Kansas City for the owners to go to prison, wake up Mike Vick, and offer him a contract to play in 2009. That’s how bad their quarterback situation is. They played some child from Coastal Carolina who really needs more time learning about the game. That puts much pressure on Johnson to carry the team, but their O-line isn’t very good.

Oh, and the Chiefs’ defense made some terrible mistakes. Remember that pass that Ryan hit Roddy White up for that score? What happened to their safety? He was playing up and just let Roddy White run right past him! I was shocked!

So I’m glad we won in front of our “Sell-Out” crowd. But I have to discount it because the Chiefs are terrible.

Oh, and speaking of the crowd: where did everybody go? For a sell-out, there were a lot of empty seats.

By Roam The Dome

September 21, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Manny, the “sell out” crowd of 50,000 was all there was. After the game, was there post tailgating? Nope….by 5pm, it was empty, as if no game had been played. It was the Falcons vs the Chiefs…there will be more people and more excitement at the FAMU vs TSU game this weekend.

By Manny

September 21, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Roam The Dome,

But I didn’t see 50,000 actually in the stands. There was a lot of empty seats during the game.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 21, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

manny, the last time the Chiefs laid eyes on Mike Vick they kicked his a* to the tune of 56-10!

By Boo Boo

September 22, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

The 20,000 fans not in their seats still own tickets. It just takes them too long to sell the other 20,000 tickets they hold, as scalpers. So, they can’t get inside before the game ends. A few wins in a row will get interest up and make it easier for them to sell their spares to tourists. Then they will take their seats and make a sell-out look like one.

I had to “watch” the game on the Internet. For a while there I thought I was picking up a replay of the Tech-MSU game. Amazing how two teams came into Atlanta on the same weekend, both got behind big, and then both died in the red zone over and over and over again. Those two teams must have left 21-40 points off the board. Must have been some funky mojo going on. I don’t think funky mojo does that to really good teams.

Good to see how the offense can play when the defense isn’t committed to stoping anything. Hopefully, Ryan can bring home a road victory this year.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

September 22, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this

Grady said it best when he told reporters that the Falcons were picked to only win one or two games ALL season and so far it appears we are ahead of schedule. When all the pundits made those predictions before the season, they predicted we’d lose to those “bad” teams too, now that we’ve beaten two of them all they can say was “well they beat bad teams”- uh yeah, the same teams you all said we’d lose to right? Can’t have it both ways, but nice try. We beat those teams you said we wouldn’t before the season started, give the Falcons credit for proving your previous theories wrong and I wish you all would stop with the “well they beat a bad team” crap already, this is the NFL.

By Algonquin Fool Please

September 22, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this

The last time Vick played against the Bucs, the Falcons won.

By Charles

September 22, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this

Hope you doubters about Ryan’s arm strength will now shut up.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this

In 2006 the Bucs finished with a record of 4-12. They were one of those bad teams you worms like to talk about. The Falcons are a good team that will, in the not too distant future, become a great team. You maggots just keep on denigrating the competition! When Vick was here the Falcons lost by forty to the Panthers. In consecutive weeks, the Falcons lost to the Lions and Browns. The excuses flew from you for the guy who hung and electrocuted dogs in his spare time. Stick your criticisms up yo nasty colons and shut the f*** up!

By jeanE

September 22, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this

We should have beaten the Chiefs, they are HORRIBLE & were playing with 2 rookie corners & a 3rd string QB. A more seasoned team would’ve crushed them. Let’s see next week when we face a mad Panthers team in Charlotte. Then, we can talk. I am disgusted that they refuse to use Finn in any real reciver capacity, I know he’s the 4th or 5th option but come on, he’s Mr. 3rd down move the chains! I already abhor Mularkey’s playcalling: too predictible with a few gargabe trick plays thrown in. When someone stops the rush, let’s see how they do against a real NFL team & defense.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

The Falcons are under re-construction and i think Dimitroff has done a magnificent job. He has a good coach, with a load of talent and integrity, and he’s added a great, youn quarterback and a bruising runner. He’s eliminated the bad attitudes and has replaced them with players who actually play and play hard. The Falcons are building a new legacy and it’s exciting to watch. Go Falcons!

By Matt.M12

September 22, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

..jees, every time a comment blog opens, we get the same BS from the minority. I was so so sick of people writing off the falcons before the season (1-15,2-14) etc. But I, as many other Falcons fans who care to notice the progress we were making in all aspects of our franchise, stuck up for them. Matt Ryan was persistently put down, for no good reason, but many of us saw past the fact that he wasn’t a 300 pound DLiner, and that he could make it with heart, studying the game, good attitude and a damn good skill set. Can the Michael Turner do it in the league etc, stats don’t lie. The O-Line, worst in the league?? Do me a favour, they play with such heart and aggression, im proud to wear my jersey again. How about we lay off this damn pessimism, get behind our team, be happy we are winning with a young team and great coaching, and look forward to a positive era. I don’t care if we lose to the Panthers, GB etc, because I know we will play with what was missing last year. Heart. For the guys who still persist in mentioning no.7: learn about the sport, open your eyes, and stop wasting our time.

By Len

September 22, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Jean E, we had the Cheifs down 24-0, and won 38-14. How much more should we have crushed them? Anyone with any NFL knowledge knows that a W against and other NFL team is earned. Any true falcon fan would know this too, because how many times have we seen the falcons lose to “bottom of the barrel” teams. Anyone remember playing the Browns and Green Bay in 06?

By Manny

September 22, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Yes, this is a rebuilding year. Don’t expect playoffs, but I do like the balance on offense, though. The coaching staff is the best that we’ve had in recent memory, and because of that staff, I think we will just barely miss the playoffs this year.

Matt Ryan is a work in progress. I do not think that he’s the second coming of Dan Marino, but he can work well within this system. As long as he doesn’t have to win games all by himself, which tragically has been the case the last few years with Mike Vick as quarterback, we should be fine.

But our running backs are the ones that can put behinds back in seats. These guys are exciting. Plus, Roddy White is proving to be as advertised… a “Sometimes” dominant player. I believe that if the chemistry between Matt Ryan and Roddy White continues to improve, this system will be a playoff contender for many years to come.

But here’s what I like the most about this team’s personnel: There really are no superstars. No one on this team has to be the superstar. From what I’ve heard, Matt Ryan is making all the right moves in the clubhouse. And even though there has been competition in preseason at the QB position, I’ve noticed that Matt Ryan and DJ Shockley are friends. For Real. That tells me a lot about Ryan’s character.

And even though we’re just loving Michael Turner, he seems so low key that it seems like he can’t be looked upon as a superstar. He’s just enjoying the system.

This is what will make the Falcons successful. The big-time, carry-the-whole-team-on-my-back coaching system is gone. As much as I like the abilities and talents of Michael Vick, it’s good to finally see a team.

Oh, and as for Vick’s chances to come back to the NFL, there’s rumblings with the Chiefs. And the Lions. And the Bears.

By Woodman

September 22, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Vick doesn’t work here anymore. Why do you people have to fight with each other all the time? You are all idiots. Vick Jock Lickers on one side and Racist Retards on the other. How about you all STFU and go find another team to irritate with your comments. The real fans on here just want some civil conversation about the FALCONS. Go away. All of you just please go away.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

So the Falcons (albeit after only 3 games) currently lead the NFL in rushing yards and own the league-leaders in rushing yards (Michael Turner) and sacks (John Abraham).

That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win in this league. Control both sides of the line. With Turner (and Norwood) gobbling up yards (and possession time) and Abe having QBs seeing stars, at least this team knows what it needs to do to win. Not that it will always work, but they are beginning to form a sort of team identity. Much preferable to last year’s schizophrenic mess, when we could not even decided which QB to play.

Not only does pounding the ball chew up possession time, but it also opens up the lanes downfield. Watching the game yesterday, as soon as I saw the safety inch toward the middle of the field, and Ryan launched the ball, I knew we had 6. Great play calling by the coaches most of the day.

Pressuring the QB also takes pressure off your secondary and allows them to play, as evidenced by the 3 picks yesterday. Yes, it was Tyler Thigpen, but that’s what you have to do to make it in this league; beat the teams you are supposed to beat (which the Birds have done, and very handily, I might add) and step up and knock off a couple teams you are not supposed to beat.

Even in the loss at Tampa, the team looked much better in the second half and were still in the game in the 4th. If you can hang around good teams in the 4th, you’ll eventually be the beneficiary of a couple big plays and a couple big wins.

I’m very encouraged by the start, and it looks like our guys are once again having fun (very important) and playing together as a team (even more important). Good job, Birds. If we can get out of Charlotte with a W on Sunday, I like how this team looks at 3-1 with a split on our first 2 road NFC South games. Keep it up.

By mars

September 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

When you children quit sulking about which overpaid ego is responsible for what, think about the condition of the NFL this year. Considering the state of the perrenial winners, I for one think that anything, ANYTHING, could happen this year. Whether we capitalize or fail, it will still be interesting to watch. Speaking of “interesting”, would all of the boring crybabies please put yesterday behind you and acknowledge current events, please. I’m not going to qualify the constant idiocy by stating who I was or was not a fan of in the past, because it doesn’t matter. All that matters is what’s happening now.

By ksagendo

September 22, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

A good start so far, even if the wins have come against horrible teams. The Falcons have lost to horrible teams in the recent past. The main thing is keep improving and good things will continue to happen.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

@boxer99, my caucasian friend, why did you have to mention my name and make negative comments about me? I haven’t said a word to you at all, haven’t even left a post yet. You don’t want it with me on this blog, boy. Anyway, i guess the Flacons should be proud for a win against the chiefs,lol. Where was all of this “greatness” against Tampa? The Chiefs are the sorriest team in the league!!! And you people are so happy? ” All you people can STFU about Matt Ryan’s arm strength”, LMFAO Roddy had to slow down and damn near reach back to catch it, but who cares. Like I’ve always said, if “Matty Ice,lol” throws a 10 yard slant, you people make him to be the next Montana. We will see (again) what the Falcons are made of when J.Peppers gets all in Matty Ice’s a* on Sunday. What excuses will you have then?

By keep it real

September 22, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

you falcon fans are simply pathetic. you have beaten teams that have not won any games and you think your team is good?

FYI the chiefs got rid of their best defensive player last year. The raiders run all over them last week and the raiders are pathetic. Did you see how denver beat the crap out of them in week 1?

the falcons suck. you played a team without a QB. Thigpen is garbage. Herman edwards gutted this once proud franchise.

You won but your wins are extremely suspect.

The same way atlanta has won its home games is how it has lost on the road

The real test starts next week because there will not be any more cupcakes on the schedule.

By AguilaFan

September 22, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Like AJ, I followed Matt at BC.

Live in Puerto Rico so I doubt I will get up to see a game in person. Am now a fan of the Atlanta Falcons. The team is impressive. Blank has done the right things. Glad to see the fans having a good time.

By Matt Fraud

September 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

I remember when all you guys that think Ryan is great thought the same thing about Matt Fraud, did you check out his game yesterday?

17 of 37 with 3 Interceptions!

Houston Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
M. Schaub 17 37 188 45.9 5.1 3 17 0 3 27.8

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Hey keep it real (dumb), that’s what good teams do; they beat the bad teams and they beat them badly. We jumped on top of Detroit 21-0 and beat them handily. Likewise, we got on top of KC 24-0 and won by 24. If they keep doing that to the bottom-level teams, and hang around in the 4th against better teams, eventually they’ll hit a couple big plays and sneak up and beat a couple of the better teams.

It’s not like we squeaked by the Lions and Chiefs; we beat them down. Falcons teams of recent years may have just barely won, if at all.

They’re having fun, they’re playing like a team, and they are capitalizing on their opportunities and the other teams’ mistakes. You’re right, this weekend should be a decent test. But even if we lose, we’ll be 2-2 with only 1 more divisional road game left, and 3 divisional games at home. But if we win, we’re looking at 3-1 a quarter of the way into the season.

Now, I don’t know how many people had thoughts of the postseason before this year started, and I don’t know how many have those thoughts right now. But I see a team that is better than others expected (Sporting News picked us no.32 in the NFL, with a record of 1-15; guess we got that covered). I see a coach who wants to run, run, run the ball and get after the opposing QB. If you can do those things, and if Ryan only has to pass <20 times a game (a la Ben Roethlisberger), you’ll win more games than people think.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick = Blamed for all of the Falcons mistakes, including defense, offense, kicking game, the way he looks, speaks, etc etc etc.

Matt Ryan = Excuses made up for him for bad games, lack of arm strength. Looks the way people want, which doesn’t add up to wins, etc etc etc.

Winner: MIKE VICK. He will be back in the NFL and he will dominate the NFL/Falcons.

Loser: “Matty Ice lol” Average QB, throws lots of INTs, Joey Harrington 2.0

By arm stregth

September 22, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Laughable comments on arm strength. Throw to Roddy was right in front of me. He did not slow up. It was a perfect throw. Also - The 20 yard curl was a bullet. The roll out sideline out pattern was a strike. Aside from having plenty sufficient arm strength, Ryan is accurate and reads defenses very well - he’s had 3 starts. Think how much better he is going to get. As with most of the commentary looking for anything to criticize, you continually prove you don’t know jack. Yeah we beat up on 2 bad teams - Well we are a bad team looking light years ahead of these others. There will be no playoffs - that’s not the point. The team is not turning the ball over and taking stupid penalties. Yes I know about the 1st half in Tampa so save your limited thoughts for something else. Team looks like a professional organization - O/D and Special Teams - except Jennings. The Dome is sadly empty.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

@arm stregth. The Dome will continue to be empty. You need players that bring excitement to bring the people out, i.e, Manning, Brady, Romo, Vick, Favre, you get the picture. The Falcons have Matt Ryan, who will be a 5 yard completion type passer, instead of having zip on his throws, it looks like a leaf floating in the air. Like I’ve always said………………No Vick = Losing Season.

By arm strength

September 22, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

you’re dumb.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

@arm strength, I guess that makes 2 of us.

By Len

September 22, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Vick Supporter, well we get excited by Matty’s 10 yard slant because we lived for 5 years with a QB that could not complete one.

Fact is, Vick was 7-9 his last two years. When he came into the league, he could outrun all his mistakes. But the Defenses figured him out, and he lost a step, unfortunately he never grew as a passer (hence, no 10 yard slants), hence 7-9. Nothing more than a flash in the pan.

There are many athletes who admit, if it were not for sports, would be in prison. Unfortunately for Vick, he was so stupid, even sports could not keep him from his destiny.

By Dottie

September 22, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

we finally have a real team, not some arrogant idiot that says “the world needs to see me”..then gets lit the hell up by New orleans on MNF, and this isn;t racial but you need more than running skill to be a great QB,you need intelligence, like a peyton manning, which i feel MATT RYAN has.. and 7 was about as stupid as they come..his airtran commercials and felony record attest to that

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Hey Jock Supporter, what’s this “5 yard completion type passer” nonsense? That throw to Roddy traveled 57 yards in the air. 57 yards. Now I know you don’t like the kid because he doesn’t look like you, but how many other rookie QBs look as good as he did yesterday in their 3rd career game? Not many.

I’m sorry you’re beleaguered QB (who I always supported) ended up in jail. I’m sorry he made very poor decisions and is now in the federal pen. But the Falcons have moved on, and your blatant racism in looking down on Matt Ryan because his pigment is a little different than yours is sickening.

If you’re only a Vick fan and not a Falcons fan, then do us all a favor and take a hike. You can become a fan of Vick’s new team next year and annoy some other fans with your foolishness. I support the Falcons, no matter who plays for the team, and I will embrace our new QB as I did our last one.

By FREE MIKE VICK

September 22, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Just think how many points they would have scored if Blank had not turned his back on Vick……..Face it Atlanta, this team will never be the same without Vick……You losers!

By Spudd Webb

September 22, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

lol, I love it. Can someone please post another blog (like the many I saw last!) saying Ryan’s arm isn’t strong? ahhahaha. WOW, WAAAAAAAAYYYYYY OFF. The guy’s arm is fine. Yes two wins for two of the worst teams, but I will take it. You can see some progressions going on with the coaching staff and with Ryan. The defense is also growing. Too many yards for Larry, but all in all, I will take it. FREE MIKE VICK do us a favor, go to where Vick is in jail and picket outside, for the rest of your life. ahahhahha, see how that works for you. Get over it, dude is a loser.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Hey FREE MIKE VICK, even if Blank hadn’t “turned his back on Vick”, Vick would still be turning his back for Bubba right now. Vick would be in prison, with his back turned to some fine big gentleman, no matter what Blank had done.

And by the way, Vick “turned his back on” you, me, Arthur Blank, his teammates, and the entire city of Atlanta when he knowingly engaged in criminal activity leading to his eventual admission of guilt and subsequent incarceration in a federal penitentiary.

I hope one of those empty seats at the Dome yesterday was yours. Just stay away until Vick again starts for the Falcons. Which is to say, when Satan bust out his hockey skates.

By Algonquin Fool

September 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

you’re so excited over a Chiefs win? A team that started its 3rd quarterback in its 3rd consecutive game? LMAO!! That explains the 0-3 Chiefs. Did you see what the 49ers did to the Lions? That should tell you about the 0-3 Lions, and Yep, the Falcons are still in top 5 draft pick territory! But oh yeah, the “future” looks bright all right!……in Oklahoma City which is where the Falcons will be!

By Lloydd

September 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Matt won me over with those two passes over twenty yards YEAH RIGHT one more and I think he’s ready for the HOF. Matt only had to manage the game and he did that well. We will get a better assessment of what can or cannot do in the next few weeks.

By bigeasy830

September 22, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Matt Ryan looks more like Danny Wuerffel each game. He has the weakest arm in the NFL. That kid is pitiful. HE put so much air under that TD pass. Roddy White had to slow up for it and if Roddy did not do such a great job to get wide open against a terrible defense a decent CB would have caught up to that pass and broke it up. The Falcons will lose their next 12 games. Matt Ryan will throw 25 INTs in the next 12 games. After each lost for the next three months I want all you thrash talking “MATTY ICE” fans, “GET RID OF THE THUGS” people to keep talking trash. I am going to the next home game the scalpers are taking a beating did you see all those empty seats. I bet you can get a good seat for 20 bucks on the street or on CL. The only fans that are showing up to the games are the MV7 fans that are waiting for his return. The rest of you PETA loving metrosexuals are the ones spewing racism and hatred.

Holla…….

By DOTTIE DOTTIE DOTTIE

September 22, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Dottie, I remember when you “thought” the same thing about Matt Schaub!

**By Matt Fraud

September 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

I remember when all you guys that think Ryan is great thought the same thing about Matt Fraud, did you check out his game yesterday?

17 of 37 with 3 Interceptions!

Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating M. Schaub 17 37 188 45.9 5.1 3 17 0 3 27.8**

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Hey bigeasy, if you actually watched the game yesterday, you would have seen that most of the jerseys being worn by fans did not have a number 7 on them. Yes, there were a few, but your statement that, “The only fans that are showing up to the games are the MV7 fans that are waiting for his return” is factually untrue.

Why don’t you just save your Matt Ryan-hatred and let the real Falcons fans discuss things here? Why bring up MV7 when he does not even play for this team? What point are you trying to prove, that you’re and idiot, or just ignorant of how the NFL works, or both? ‘Cause you’re out to an outstanding start on both fronts.

By Houston Texans Fan

September 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Well Falcons Fans, when this Chump Ryan washes up you can keep him, my team listend to you idiots claim Matt Schaub was then next “great one” and he’s about to be benched in Texas

So yeah, your city is a great judge of talent at QB!

By bigeasy830

September 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Also most MV7 supporters predicted a victory this week for the Falcons. They knew how bad KC was. The MV7 supporters seem to be the real Falcons fans because they just want the team to win. They are not depending on some athlete to be role models for their kids. They raise their own children.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

**By bigeasy830

September 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Also most MV7 supporters predicted a victory this week for the Falcons. They knew how bad KC was. The MV7 supporters seem to be the real Falcons fans because they just want the team to win. They are not depending on some athlete to be role models for their kids. They raise their own children. **

That is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read. Nice job for bringing some humor to my day. I needed a good laugh.

By The Truth

September 22, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

I’m laughing at the Texan fan as well as any Raider fans out there who did NOT believe the ones that did not clain Shaub the next great thing and well…for the Raiders they got what they wanted. There was no split in our fan base about DeAngelo or as some call him here on the blogs MeAngelo.

As a tech fan I don’t know if anybody has mentioned this yet on the blog but what about a congratulations to all of our football teams in the state. This was a good weekend for football in the state. Its also nice to finally have good coaching on all of our teams instead of just one. Again, I’d just like to point out about the win yesterday. While some writers like TMoore feel that next week is a better gauge because the Chiefs suck I don’t know if they can remember where the Falcons was initially placed in tons of pre-season power polls but I’ll remind them - DEAD LAST. Any win for this team that was picked to be the worst team in the league is a GOOD win, I don’t care who we play.

By ivanpayne

September 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Is bigeasy830 serious?? A Weak Arm after throwing it 58 yards in the air hitting his target IN FULL STRIDE for a 70 yard TD!!??

Dude. Something must be in your water. You might want to get that checked out.

By uneasy

September 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

The comments are getting better and better. I know I would be comfortable with Free Mike Vick, U_B, BigEasy830 and the rest instilling their values in my children. Certainly they are at least sound financial thinkers. Trading $130MM for $5,000 (cash!) is a good idea. At least they are well founded morally in that they don’t need to have any sense of responsibility - that no matter what “the Man” is out to get them. Newsflash - The “Man” is to busy trying to get ahead to get you. Besides, why waste the effort - you do all the work yourself.

By Jim P.

September 22, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Can we drop the whole MV7 thing? The jerk is in jail ok?

We have a new Mike to cheer for. MT33!

Turner is a hell of a RB, and Matt Ryan showed he can throw the deep ball to Roddie White. We have a very good team in the making.

We need to cheer for them, not the past. This is my 30th season of Falcon football that I have watched. There is not alot in the past 30 years to be cheering for. Leave the past in the past, and MV7 is the past.

The present looks good and the future look better than it has in a long long time.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

@Tron5000, It took all of might to hit those 57 yards. I understand your logic, you’re gonna protect Matt Ryan at all costs on here, and thats ok. Its easy for Ryan to look good when you run the ball almost every play, which they should do. Matt Ryan has ability, I’ve never denied that, he’s just not Mike Vick and its not about color for me, as you think. I defend Vick because he a great qb in my opinion who had to carry the entire franchise on his back. What makes me angry about the falcons and the reason I hate them so much is because not that they have a “pocket passer” they finally realize that they need to get o-linemen and and power running game, when Vick was here, it was “go win the game for us Michael” and he getting blown up everyplay. They’re taking measures that they were SUPPOSED to do with Vick, which they didn’t do, and they’re now doing it for “Matty Ice, lol”. Vick made his mistakes, but he was never given a fair shake PERSONNEL WISE. Name a great reciever or RB, and I mean GREAT, NOT AVERAGE, that Vick had during his tenure here. The very people on these blogs right this moment have said themselves that the Falcons organization have made some bonehead moves (does Jamal Anderson ring a bell?). So attack me all you want, At least I have the balls to admit that Vick f’ed this up himself, but i only defend him football wise, and he’s heads and shoulders better than Matty Ice, lol, will ever be. You people will witness GREATNESS and a redemption story like no other when Vick comes back to the NFL Write it down.

By McRly?

September 22, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

“Vick woulda put up 50pts!” “Vick would have thrown 3 touchdowns!” Vick Vick Vick. Woulda Coulda Shoulda. Waa Waa Waa. You guys are funny. Vick’s gone, and I don’t even remember what he looks like. What was his number? Zero, wasn’t it a big fat 0? hahaha. You guys are so silly. “Wait til Vick comes back! He’ll show you!!!” show me what, his ankle monitor? hahaha. You guys make me laugh.

2-1 baby. 2-1. Say what you want, we’re 2-1. Rough schedule ahead Falcons fans, the team needs us badly at the Dome. Man it’s fun to compete, and this team will NOT quit. This team is a blast to watch, come on down, enjoy the tailgate with that sweet Atlanta flare and watch a team with passion and heart play to win! Cya at the Dome!!!

By Ryder

September 22, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Although what I’m about to write goes against everything I stand for as a longtime Falcons fan, I have to bring up this point:

Did anyone catch what Deion Sanders said on NFL Network last night when asked who would be the perfect QB for the Vikings, and he mentioned Michael Vick? VickSupporter what do you think about that one? Honestly I think he’d be just the QB that franchise needed. Someone who could make them pay for stacking 8 in the box against Peterson. By 2010 (in case Vick gets a one year suspension from Goodell) that could be a realistic possibility.

Anyway, tron5000 you’re right about the upcoming schedule, after Carolina it’s one more divisional road game against the Saints. Pretty easy stuff to deal with now.

I think that from a mere growth perspective, Atlanta has to win at least one of their next three upcoming games (AT CAROLINA, AT GREEN BAY, CHICAGO). This team has shown what they can do when everything is clicking. Ryan is taking the baby steps you’d want your franchise QB to take, he’s playing smart and the team rallied around him.

Turner is taking it to the defense with each run, and White is still gaining that ever important QB-WR relationship every team needs.

Now do I think Atlanta will be a great team this year? No, simply because their defense is suspect, especially at the corners. At best the Falcons are a 6 or 7 win team, but at least they are just a solid draft away from building a contender.

By boxer99

September 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter my colored friend guess what? Vick isnt coming back. Thew guy is a low life disgrace. And no he was not a great QB he was a great athlete and thats it. The Falcons did not turn thier backs on nhim, it was the other way around. Nobody was a bigger supporter of Vick then Blank you embesol! But Vick was true to himself and ended up in jail….Boo Hoo you Vick Supporters are pathetic get a life.

By Len

September 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

VS Good point, he never had any talented recievers, like Roddy White either, ahh, wait a minute, was here. Maybe he never caught any ball because the QB was always off target?

Hmmm, How do you consider a guy a great QB who can barely sustain a 50% completion average.

Vick was a one trick pony, hardly a QB, and as he aged, he lost a step, and defenses figured him out, hence, the 7-9 records his last two years.

The guy could not complete a timing pattern if his life depended up it. Why were Algie and Finneran his favorite targets, because they were big and slow.

Bottom Line? Vick is where he belongs, and Ryan may or may not be the answer, but they are better than predicted. Nobody calls them the worst team in the NFL any longer.

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Its the Vick Haters who cant let go. They have to try to hold on to the past; like those pathetic stars & bars flags you see all over; or even worse , the georgia flags with the HALF stars & bars. They still cant get over losing the civil war.lol.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Ryder, the Vikings would be perfect.

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

boxer99 I was gonna come down on you hard but judging by your spelling and grammatical skills you are obviously mentally challenged. So enjoy yourself big guy.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

The REAL Falcons are the ones who support their team no matter what, no matter who is under Center.

What is this nonsense about Falcons fans and the “Stars and Bars”? Are you attempting to make a racist statement without actually making it?

At least REAL Falcons fans support a flag, unlike Vick fans, who are probably in Josh Howard’s camp when it comes to flags.

By Dreski

September 22, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I really don’t care what these down talker’s say! we won!! who cares about Vick, all the cancers that use to be on this team and every thing else! BELIEVE IN NOW!

By Dreski

September 22, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

I really don’t care what these down talker’s say! we won!! who cares about Vick, all the cancers that use to be on this team and every thing else! BELIEVE IN NOW!

By Dreski

September 22, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I really don’t care what these down talker’s say! we won!! who cares about Vick, all the cancers that use to be on this team and every thing else! BELIEVE IN NOW!

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Tron5000 Of course you and all your racist murdering seditionist ANTI-AMERICAN pals support the stars & bars as YOUR national flag. This is so easy. You make my point for me. LOL

By Boo Boo

September 22, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is the reason the Falcons could not do anything after going 13 - 3. They went 8 - 8 and 7 - 9 and 4 - 12 because of Mike Vick (including his not being around last year being due to his faults). Arthur Blank was in love with Mike Vick and his hiney still aches for the man; but Arthur Blank is not the coach of the team. Mike Vick was a coach killer because the coach was like a teat on a Vick hawg. What coach wants to be a lackey to a player? None! Mora, Jr. laid down and died, primping the egos of Vick, Hall, Crumpler, and Kearney, and then letting the players go out and lose games they should have won. When it was all Mike Vick, you live or die on how well the other team is manned to stop Mike Vick. Good teams stopped Mike Vick with ease; and the last two years he was around to play proved that. Mike Vick was a team killer, because his presence made the coach plot the team’s demise.

Vick is gone now. Good riddance. Long live the Falcons! Still, Arthur Blank’s perverted love of players is like a cancer in remission. If he starts to get back in the game of pampering players, we will again sing the same song, new verse.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

No, REAL Falcons, we don’t. And the fact that you think Falcons supporters are “racist murdering seditionist ANTI-AMERICAN” speaks volumes of the hatred you yourself harbor.

You’re a moron, and the more you speak, the more you reveal yourself. Keep it up. It’s fun watching an idiot make a fool of himself.

By NCFalconFan

September 22, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

To all of you who were calling for M.Schaub a few years ago, how do you like him now? Their was a reason he was a back up

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Tron5000…..”It’s fun watching an idiot make a fool of himself.” You are obviously looking in the mirror”. LOL…do you dee a big pointy white hat?…lol

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

So REAL Falcons, you’re calling me a racist for saying that I like the Falcons and that I don’t support the “Stars and Bars.” Great job there, genius. Have you filled out your MENSA application yet?

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

@Boo Boo. i guess some things never change, when all else fails, blame mike vick, just like you people have always done. no surprise. the falcons will never have a 13-3 season, much less a 7-9, 8-8 season for a long time. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Tron5000 A moment ago you were ALL FOR the stars & bars…In response to my statement that many of you support the stars & bars you said…and I quote“At least REAL Falcons fans support a flag”. Make up your mind grasshopper.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Will anyone on this blag admit that Vick lifted this franchise when he was here? No one knew sh!t about the flacons until Michael Vick was here.

By Vick Supporter is dumb

September 22, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Never is a long time isn’t it? I guess that’s cool though since the Falcons never did that with Vick either.

7-9 9-6-1 5-11 11-5 8-8 7-9

Quick get Canton on the phone. There is a sure fire Hall of Famer missing from enshrinement. How can we ever grow from this legendary accomplishment of 2 winning seasons out of 6?

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

@Vick Supporter is dumb. Since you looked up those stats, why don’t you look at the roster also while you’re at it and tell me who he had that was above average except crumpler and dunn. None of you people talk about what vick had around him. All you people say is comp% this, qb rating that. Also, the 5-11 season don’t count so get your facts right. Name some players…..if you can or smart enough to do that.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Yes, REAL Falcons, do support a flag, and the flag to which I was referring was the American flag. You know, the one that Josh Howard does not respect when he says, “The Star Spangled Banner’s going on right now and I don’t celebrate that s*. I’m black.”

Now, try to follow along a little more carefully next time. But don’t think about it too hard, as it may cause your head to hurt.

By Boo Boo

September 22, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter, I gave up crack for Lent years ago and never touched it again. I venture to guess you have a very nice pipe.

Anyhoo, the blame game is what you play now. I did not state anything other than what happened, because Arthur Blank liked his pet black boy too much. His pet black boy sold tickets to other black boys and girls.

Arthur Blank wanted Mike Vick doing everything to keep selling those tickets, regardless of what the coach wanted. A coach wants an 11-man offense, with as many as possible being productive at the same time. Mike Vick did great at times, because he was an exceptional athlete. However, if the coach cannot have a quarterback that can pass first, run second, a good defensive team (like the NFC South has several of) can stop Mike Vick cold. All they had to do was key 11 men on one and the rout would be on. Mike Vick was not coached on how to do much more than hand off, run, and throw the ball to Crumpler.

That is not blame. That is just the way it is. The NFL, as Gary Grandview once told an official from the sideline, means “Not For Long.” Nothing works over and over forever. Not the Green Bay sweep, not the West Coast offense, not the one-man show Mike Vick. Defenses adapt. Mike Vick was not made to study defenses or practice being an ordinary quarterback, after Arthur Blank fired Dan Reeves. Blank hired one lackey after another (Mora, Jr. & the Arkansas Razorback coach), because he only want the Mike Vick one-man show to sell tickets. The only blame there goes to Arthur Blank.

By don't count

September 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

OK. since Ryan is working with an ultra talented support cast - including the same WR corp Vick had, can we count his 2-1 record. Each post makes you look dumber. Also - Can we look at Mike’s ridiculous sack and fumble totals. Yeah I know this O Line is world’s better than the one he had. Yawn.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

@Boo Boo, then why do you come at me then? thats what I’ve said all along. I’ve always said that the upper managment made numerous mistakes. You are correct, did fall in love with Vick’s athletic ability, and yes he did see dollar signs. The worst thing that Blank did was fire Dan Reeves, but almost NO ONE will acknowledge that, they just blame Vick. Vick doesn’t sign the players, or call the plays. yes, it was a one-man show. Was that Vick’s fault? I don’t see how that can be possible. There’s no such thing as one player winnig a SB by himself. I thought it was a miracle that he took them to GB, beat them by himself, and took them to the NFC Championship game, BY HIMSELF. What other QB could do that? There is none, except Vick

By Ryder

September 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Settle down boys, and save the race baiting for a Fox News blog ok?

Now back to football…what can the Falcons do against Carolina’s front four next week? Will the same running lanes be there for Turner and Norwood? How much time will Ryan have in the play action? How will the Falcons’ D cover up Smith?

Personally I think as long as Ryan is in the huddle, the team believes they have a chance. Can the same be said when Vick was playing? One thing Vick fans have to remember was that he had not thrown a 4th quarter TD in his last 19 straight games.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

@don’t count, I’m not even going to waste my time w/you.

By don't cpunt

September 22, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Logic prevails. Again.

By CAROLINA

September 22, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

COME GET SOME! BEAT A REAL TEAM!!!!! RYAN IF YOU THOUGHT TAMPA HIT YOU HARD, WAIT UNTIL WE ARE DONE WITH YOU. TAMPA WAS THE MARINATE ——- WE WILL FINISH YOU OFF AND THOSE FAKE FANS OF YOURS THAT COME OUT WHEN THEY BEAT POOR DETROIT/K C LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The REAL Falcons

September 22, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Tron4999 So, now your cowardly azz wants us to believe that you jumped into a conversation DEFENDING the stars & bars because you support the American Flag? Dont be such a p***.If you are changing a subject it helps to put it in your sentence…ie “American” flag. I am much smarter than you but I cannot read your mind. So your redneck pea-brain thinks that if Josh Howard thinks that way then Mike Vick and ALL Blacks must think that way. And you wonder why it is so obvious to everyone that you are a RACIST IDIOT? But at least you agree with me that people who support the stars & bars are racist idiots also right? Thanks for making my point once again.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

@CAROLINA. i can’t wait. Ya’ll are gonna beat the sh!t out of the Falcons.

By Boo Boo

September 22, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick, as far as the Falcons are concerned, is the PAST. What was, was. What is, is not the same as the past. What will be, will be further from the past. Mike Vick will always be welcomed to the halftime shows in the future, as the team honors the old Falcons who won division championships, or whatever. If Vick plays again in the NFL, I imagine Jerry Jones would be the most likely to give him that chance. Mike Vick will never play again for the Atlanta Falcons, no matter how much of a franchise player he was. He is HISTORY. A Falcon fan simply comes to that realization and moves on.

The Falcons now have a head coach that has football skills like those of Dan Reeves. They just have a rookie quarterback, which is not usually a winning element. The Falcons play a “true freshman” because one of the Mora coaches (Sr. or Jr.) turned Mike Vick in to the Feds. Mike Vick is now playing the position of convict in Kansas, because of revenge, pure and simple. But, what is done is done.

A rookie is not going to do much more than learn what it feels like to get pounded, in his first year. As long as Matt Ryan’s youth keeps him flexible enough to be pounded for 16 games, without a serious injury, he will come back next year having learned how to be an NFL quarterback that can win.

Still, NFL defenses do not mind hurting quarterbacks. Vick knows, because the Ravens took him out of most of 2003. Tom Brady now knows, as he was taken out of this year. Matt Ryan knows very well about the late hits the Bucs put on him. Poor Sam Baker knows a defensive lineman will gladly kick you in the helment with his knee, if you try to cut his legs. A defensive player plays to hurt the other team.

Personally, I would like to start the games with Redmon. Let the defenses wear themselves out on him; and then put Matt Ryan in with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter (winning or losing). A tired defense is less intent on hurting; and that could get Ryan the experience he needs, without the worst of the beatings. I don’t think tests against Detroit and KC are anything more than lulls in the storm.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Hey FAKE Falcons, my post read like this:

“The REAL Falcons are the ones who support their team no matter what, no matter who is under Center.

“What is this nonsense about Falcons fans and the ‘Stars and Bars’? Are you attempting to make a racist statement without actually making it?

“At least REAL Falcons fans support a flag, unlike Vick fans, who are probably in Josh Howard’s camp when it comes to flags.”

Notice how I referred to you trying to equate Falcons fans with the Stars and Stripes as “nonsense”? As in, not true?

The flag to which I referred, that being the one that REAL Falcons fans salute, is the Star-Spangled Banner.

As for my comment about Josh Howard, and equating him to Vick fans, Howard himself stated that he did not support the American flag because he’s black. Is there any truth to this, as in, do many in the black community feel the way that he does?

By OFFICIAL_STATS

September 22, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Actually that year the Falcons went 5-11, Vick’s record was 4-1 and that equates to a winning percentage of 80%.

The rest of the starts for that same year were 1-10. You do the math. Basically that just justifies the case that VICK SUPPORTER made. With Vick = Winner and without him they could only get 1-victory.

That alone shows he was a 1-man team (technically) based on the games with him vs the ones he did not play in.

By U_B

September 22, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Cool so he is 3 games over .500 in 6 years. Great. Hall of Famer.

By Chubbyboy

September 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

I realize the Falcons probably are still looking @ 5-11, 6-10 season…but at least they are competitive…I have people telling me “look who they have played and beaten Detroit & Kansas City”..But they have beaten both very soundly…When a watch the 2008 Falcons, I see a team that is prepared, has a gameplan and they stick with it…We were still in the Tampa Game until Graham took it to the house late in the 4th quarter..The Bucs game would have been a blowout under the Mora/Petrino Regime…But the Falcons showed spunk and made a game of it after being down 17-0.. We need Ryan to play better on the road this week…Stay out of 3rd and longs and just manage the game…Carolina is going to be putting 8 men in the box daring Ryan to throw it against their corners…Need to get/complete a deep pass early to take pressure of the running game…The Falcon corners will get a workout this week with Steve Smith…Don’t talk any trash (AKA MeAngelo Hall)..make stupid pentalties and just play smashmouth football…I predict a low scoring affair with the Falcons in it late in the fourth quarter..Thank you Coach Smith and staff for giving us something to look forward to again on Sunday’s..A Falcon Team that is not a laughing stock of the league but ready to play football hard every play…Passionate football is back in Atlanta…CMON Falcon fans lets give them all of our support…The Falcons have won one more game than some predicted them to get prior to the season…A Win this weekend would give them unparallel confidence heading into Green Bay…Besides the management,players and coaches, any of you see the Falcons playing for 1st place in the NFC South in Week 4?????

By Spud Webb

September 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Carolina take it easy! Carolina is a good challenge for Ryan and a solid team. Lets see how much he’s progressed. Carolina has a very good d and will try to confuse him also (see Tampa). I’ll be interested to see if the Falcons get down early, will they abandon the run as quickly as they did against Tampa.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Carolina ain’t all that and forget the bag of chips! The Falcons have a good defense, good running game and a great quarterback for a change. They will put it to the stinking Panthers. As for Panthers fans, ain’t nothin’ in Carolina but steer and queers and I don’t see any horns on you peckerheads.

By bigeasy830

September 22, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

The Falcons will lose their next 12 games, Matt Ryan has a weak arm. Arthur Blank is one of the worst owners in sports. The Falcons will suck for the next 4 years because Arthur Blank gave 72 million dollars to a QB who has a weak arm and 130 million dollars to a QB that is in prison and he will not bring back to the franchise to appease PETA and the sorry a$$ fan base that is located in Gwinnett, Cobb, Douglas and Forsyth counties. Those people have never supported the team and never will. I have no problem with the team moving on from MV7. But, next draft when the team has a top 5 pick, we will pass on Matthew Stafford or Tim Tebow because we will have 200 million dollars and 70 million of it guaranteed in 2 QBs that are not worth a damn to the future of this team.

by ivanpayne, quit dreaming of having your head in Matt Ryan’s lap for a moment to watch a replay of that play. See how Roddy White had to slow up and he was wide open. A decent CB on a decent team would have broke that play up because Ryan threw it with to much air under it. Those precious milli seconds are important if you are playing a decent team. It will determine a big play or a broken up pass. Now when Stafford played against South Carolina. He threw a pass 55 yards in the air falling backwards to a receiver that was right on the money. The receiver caught it out of bounds, but I bring that up because that is the difference between a great QB with great arm strength and a weak armed dink and donk throwing chump like Matt Ryan. He will not be able to set his feet against the Panthers and heave the ball with all his might. He will throw 3 INTs against the panthers with at least 1 pick 6.

By Tron5000

September 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Are there any blogs on the internet that have not yet been run down by mindless morons making outlandish statements without supporting proof?

“The Falcons will lose their next 12 games!”

“Matt Ryan has a weak arm!”

“Arthur Blank just wanted the Great White Hope!”

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

yeah, matt’s arm looked incredibly weak on that 70 yard touchdown pass! Get a brain biggreasy!

By saint

September 22, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

If Ryan was throwing marshmellows they would have been picked off. After watching (at the game) and on tape, the 57 yarder to White had strong trajectory, not weak.

By OFFICIAL_STATS

September 22, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

IF YOU CAN’T WIN THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP - WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES WITH THE NFC SOUTH?

By TAMPA BAY

September 22, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

yeah, matt’s arm looked incredibly weak on that 70 yard touchdown pass! Get a brain biggreasy!

Where is that guarantee you promised? ha ha

YOU GUYS Like that W H I P P I N G we gave you :)

By bigeasy830

September 22, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

By Tampa Bay, you will be the one needing the grease after next weeks butt whipping that Carolina will put on this team. Lets see who is laughing at the end of the season and the falcons are no better than 4-12, probably 3-13.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Hello Tampa Gay. The game was competitive and the Bucs won but they aren’t going anywhere. The Falcons are a good team now and they’ll be better as time goes on. The Bucs are as good as they’re going to get and that’s not all that great. Now, the Bucs have to go to KC later in the season and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs whip that a* boy. The Bucs look pretty good now but that will change soon.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

September 22, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

CAROLINA- puh-lease you’re team and QB Fake Delhomme is a joke. You guys are lucky you’re not 0-3. You won those 1st two games on some luck ish. I can’t wait til the wheels fall off that team and ONCE AGAIN you prove all the “experts” that claim you’re good wrong. I mean how many times to we have to witness all of them sweating the Panties only to have you fail again. The Puddytats haven’t down a thing. All everyone said was how you all, now that you got your supposedly best (and over-rated) player back in Steve “Beat My Own Man Up” Smith that you all were a shoo-in to beat the Vikes and you lose to who- GUS FE”ROTTEN”? Give me a break. Come back here next week after we embarrass that azz and watch how after the Falcons beat y’all how then they will be saying “ahh-hh the Falcons just beat another bad team…” again. Y’all ain’t ish.

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Comment from Chubby Boy “The Bucs game would have been a blowout under the Mora/Petrino Regime” This is a TRUE statement.

And you people blame Vick for the teams struggles the past 2 seasons that Vick played? The coaching was horrible, Mora was to busy trying to be friends with the players, that’s unacceptable. This franchise was a mess when we had Vick, now they get a rookie, and discover that they need to have a power running game and try to develop the o-line. Carolina’s gonna put their foot all in the falcon’s a s s!!

By Falcon Freddie

September 22, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe you guys are beating your chest for a victory over a team with a QB from Coastal Carolina that had the plays taped to his wrist. Wow. One thing for sure is if we could play Detroit and KC for 16 games we would definitely have a winning record. KC was pathetic! I’m still trying to figure out how that was a sellout with so many empty seats???

By boxer99

September 22, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Hey Real Falcon” go f*** yourself you douchbag. Go ahead and say whats on your mind

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Vickjockmuncher, we blame Vick because it was his fault. He was a lousy player but he is now a model prisoner. Holla bithch!

By Vick Supporter

September 22, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

@Algonquin J. Calhoun, you’re crazy. Lay off the meth

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

September 22, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Vickjockmuncher, what a meth you’ve made!

By FanATicaL

September 23, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

The first step is to win the games you are suppose to win.Next step beat teams that are equally matched .Which requires coaching and great game planning.Next step then iiiissss stealing games you shouldn’t win. With all this angry rhetoric.The one thing we all can agree on is competitiveness.This team is on it’s way to being something great.Blank/Dimitroff/Smith are putting the best product on the field.With what they have.

By McRly?

September 23, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Noone ever heard of the Falcons before Vick got here??? Gosh, really? Noone ever heard of the NFC champ ‘98 Falcons, just a couple years before Vick was drafted? Jamal Anderson ring a bell? Ok wait wait…lemme go back farther for ya…Deion Sanders? How about Andre Rison? Ironhead Heyward? Gerald Riggs? How about William Andrews, ever heard of him? Steve Bartkowski ring any bells? Nope, didn’t think so. Cause you haven’t been a fan that long, have you? You started being a fan, when, exactly? That’s what I thought. Bout halfway thru Vick’s first season, right? Yeah, I remember you, stumbling around the Dome, with your brand new Falcons jersey, trying to figure out where everything is like a new kid at a new schoool. Because your not a Falcons fan bro, your a Vick fan. And your team is currently playing down in Levenworth, Kansas. I think the game is called ” Who Dropped the Soap” hahahaha. Cruise on over to their website, see if they got a blog…and kindly stay off of ours. We’re all FALCONS fans here bro, the Vick fans are all dinosaurs in a dying paleolithic world. Just admit that he failed you, embarrased you, lied to you then finally found out that being a celebrity, no matter how admired and famous, did not give him the right to break the law or torture little snoopy dogs simply because he felt inclined to keep it real. I did, and I’m a better man for it. Come on, have a hug. That’s it…let it out…good….now hand over the #7 jersey…that’s right…right into the fire there…good…and now you can be free again.

By McRly?

September 23, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

You guys out there making racial remarks, and I mean ALL of you, embarrase everyone with your gooberosity. So as the self appointed stop-the-dumbarses guy I’m officially ordering you to wash your feet, put socks and shoes on, finish getting that G.E.D. and stop blogging on here until you realize that no matter how loudy and bolsterously you argue for your race your manhood will not get any bigger. I’m sorry, but that’s it dude, that’s all you get. Try Extenze maybe. And your dumb, you’re all racist dumbarses and you shame yourselves. Now go to your rooms, all of you. Stop making me nauseous with your low IQ’s.

By crabapplejoe

September 23, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter wrote: ” You are correct, did fall in love with Vick’s athletic ability, and yes he did see dollar signs. The worst thing that Blank did was fire Dan Reeves, but almost NO ONE will acknowledge that, they just blame Vick.” If you remember back, the main reason that Dan Reeves was fired was because people like you were screaming that he was an old white guy who couldn’t relate to the young (next great black hope) Mike Vick who was “redefining the quaterback role in the NFL”. LOL

By crabapplejoe

September 23, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

McRly wrote: “Steve Bartkowski ring any bells? Nope, didn’t think so. Cause you haven’t been a fan that long, have you?” You’re right, most of these folks can’t remember 1980 and 1981 with Bartkowski and the boys. That was fun football to watch. None of this thug BS…just a team going 12-4. Mike Vick couldn’t hold Bartkowski’s jock strap as a QB.

By D.Ellis

September 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

This isn’t even a FAlcons blog anymore.

It’s a blog about Mike Vick and Matt Ryan.

How come I don’t see any of the guys who are posting about the Falcons getting their butt whipped…..or basically still saying they sink…posting who their favorite teams are?

Thats a real debate. That is a real blog.

It;s about my team vs. your team.

Not my favorite black QB vs. your favorite white QB.

Basically about 90% of the posts here are pretty pathetic and useless.

By bigeasy830

September 24, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

By crabapplejoe, what is a thug. Define the word for me.

By crabapplejoe

September 24, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

Look up “thug” in the dictionary and you will find a picture of Michael Vick and MeAngelo Hall smoking a blunt with their “posse” while killing dogs. You get the picture don’t you?

By bigeasy830

September 25, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

Yes, I get the picture. You are a dumba$$. That is the picture I am getting. I knew you did not have a clue. Do a little homework. Look up the word thug. After that if you still use the word when describing certain people then you are just hell bent on being an idiot. There is no way a millionair can be a thug. I got you once before crabby, you should know better by now. I don’t give a flip about MV7. I was happy we traded D-Hall. You see I am a Falcon fan and don’t give a flip about the players, I just want the team to win. I think MV7 could help us win a Super Bowl. That is my only concern. So Crabby, have a good day.

By crabapplejoe

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

To bigeasy830: So you think “there is now way a millionair (sic) can be a thug”. Wow, what ignorance. Ever heard of a guy named Al Capone. What a fool you are. Then you say that you “don’t give a flip about MV7” but you “think MV7 could help us win a Super Bowl.” Get over your man-love think for that Vick character….he ain’t coming back to the Falcons. Its a new, non-thug environment for the Atlanta Falcons. Have you noticed the Airtrans billboards this year…Brooking, Ryan, Finneran. Players that can put two straight sentences together and don’t spend their time being clowns and killing dogs.

By D.Ellis

September 25, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Big Easy 830. Actually I rememeber a certain millionaire rapper having Thuglife tattooed across his stomach. I have to disagree with that statement.

Also I posted yesterday that it seems falcon bashers tend not to put their favorite teams on a post. I’m not attacking your thoughts. Every fan is entitled to their opinion and should share it.

But to be a Falcons fan it sure seems like you do a lot of Falcon bashing.

By bigeasy830

September 26, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

By D.Ellis, first of all the rapper with thug life tatted on his chest was actually a very intelligent and articulate mama’s boy that was selling a persona. He was not a thug just getting rich off of people that fell for it. He is my one of my favorite rappers of all time. But he was no thug. A legitimate businessman is not a thug and Al Capone was a ganster not a thug, look up the word thug. That word is over used and misused by too many people too many times. Many people that are locked up in prisons and jails are not thugs just dumba$$ trying to be hard, trust me on that. A millionaire athlete that does stupid stuff, Pacman Jones and Chris Henry for example are not thugs just stupid, just trying to be hard. Same as many of those rappers. Lil Wayne for example, that boy got plenty of sense he just selling a character.

Crabby, Airtrain is trying to sell airline tickets man. They don’t give a hoot about a “New NON Thug Environment” for the Falcons. You are a funny dude Crabby. The Falcons will lose 12 games in a row because we have a rookie QB. If we had Redmon as our starter we would win at least 6-8 games this year. With MV7 in that Mularkey offense, I thing we can win at least 10. That is just my opinion. I am a Falcon fan. I want the team to win. I will raise my own kids and not rely on Blank to draft a role moldel for them unlike some of you.

By D.Ellis

September 26, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

The Falcons won’t lose 12 games in a row because they have a rookie QB. If they do lose 12 games in a row it will be because as a team they lost 12 games in a row.

If the Falcons lose 30-29 on Sunday…I seriously doubt it would be because of a rookie QB.

If Redmon was the starting QB and the Falcons lost 30-29 on Sunday would it be Redmon’s fault? No.

Glad to know you are a Falcon fan. I was a huge MV7 fan. Bought tickets to his first ever preseason game against the Steelers at the window for like 45 bucks. you could see the rise in the crowd on the sidelines every time he took off. It was nuts. I hated what happened. I would have loved to seen him become one of the all time greats. But it is what it is. He did his thing and got caught. He will be back. He’ll play again but it just won’t be here.

Dimitrof has his plan for this team and as true Falcon fans no matter who the QB is we should all support them and cheer them on.

The stands might not be filled. The stands won’t get nuts when someone breaks out of the pocket like when Vick used to…but as fans if we can’t see the direction this team is going, the attitude this team has, the way these guys are playing, and the way this team is going to win, then it might be time to switch teams.

By bigeasy830

September 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

We will see D. Ellis. We will see. I will be looking in for your comments in the near future after each game. Don’t be like the rest and blame the coaches for loses if they do not deserve the blame like so many did after the Tampa game. “We win as a team and lose as a team”, is such a tired cliche. If the QB play limits the teams offensive ability which may then leave the defense on the field to long and tire them out, then the QB play as many of people on this blog has written is the most important position on the field will cause that team to lose that game. Now that the two patsy teams are gone and we now hit a tough part of the schedule, don’t make excusses and turn pessimistic like so many will. It is not time for me to change teams. I will always be a realistic fan and realize the current state of the franchise. Before the 98 season a supervisor of mine asked me what I thought about the Falcons. I told him the way we finished the last season (97) we would go to the play-offs. As the season started and we barely lost to SF in SF that year he asked me again. I had looked at the schedule and I told him if we beat SF in the dome we had a chance at running the rest of the table with the exception of possibly the Dolphins near the end of that year. The rest as you know is history. You see I try to be realistic about the state of the franchise. I knew we had a good team that year before the season started, I never dreamed we would go to the Super Bowl but I knew we had a chance be really good. I just don’t feel that way about this team or the future of this franchise as it stands. They will have to show me much more than just beating two horrible teams before I can begin to believe. You probably were a bigger MV7 fan than I was. I really don’t care who the QB is as long as he gets the job done. But, it is not a definite that MV7 is gone yet it all hinges on Matt Ryans performance this year and the wins and loses. It also hinges on the money this team may generate without MV7 and the potential it can generate with him. This is not college sports this is pro. Wins and loses and money are the only things that matter. Don’t believe the hype dude. After this season is over that is when the real circus will begin. The national media is metioning MV7 a little now and he will not play a down this year. MV7 will be out of prison in early 09. Things will be crazy trust me. Its all about he money. He did and will still generate a lot of money for the league. Just look at Kobe. I was at the LA game at Phillips last year. Sold out crowd to see an ex accused rapist. Its all about the C.R.E.A.M.

By Matt

September 26, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

In this time of parity in the NFL, there is something to be said for making a bad team look bad. The Falcons took care of their business - bottom line - and that’s the kind of team I can root for and respect. Here’s to the same effort at Carolina!

By D.Ellis

September 26, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Big Easy-Well said on alot of points. I agree with alot disagree with a few. It does take more than 2 wins against some sorry teams. However there is a purpose and you can see the players have bought into it. Last year was a disaster. This year is different no matter the record.

I won’t be going anywhere when they lose. I’ll be here venting and praising as all arm chair Coaches do. No blame games jsut pointing out what I tihnk is right or wrong…no bull shi%.

Who knows maybe Vick comes back in some sort of role that we have never seen. Option running/passing from the RB spot/Passing from the WR spot/Returning kicks/WR who knows. It would be a good ending to a story gone bad.

Matt-They did take care of business. Which proves to me this. Last year they were the bottom of the league. This year they are not. Thats improvment in the team/coaching/and organization as a whole. Now time to conquer the next level.

GO FALCONS

By GoldenRichards

October 6, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Its good to see the Falcons on the sunny side of .500 once again. Had the Falcons beaton the sloppy Panthers their record would have been 4-1. Its ok since the Falcons will still be 4-2 after their next football game, certainly not a bad start considering all of the new pieces. Im hoping that when Vick comes back, Vick will take his demotion in stride and who knows, maybe we could make Vick a flanker out of the backfield and still use his athletic talents. At any rate, Vicks qb days are over in Atlanta, with Ryan looking more like the rookie of the year every day. Go Falcons!