The Bird Babe

By cp

October 5, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Nice win. Its hard to complain after a win but this defense needs to shape up. Its almost reminding me of that horrible defense under Donatell. The secondary is giving up way too many big plays. Keith Brooking is horrible. If it wasnt for Abraham we would not get any pressure on the qb. We have to get that guy some help on the defensive line. Can we offically call Jamaal Anderson a bust now?. I didnt see the guy do anything today. On one play it looked as if a wr blocked him off. The guy has no strength, speed, or athleticism. Its time to sit him and give soneone else a shot. Great win for this team.

By stendec

October 5, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Hi Bird Babe. Falcons won in spite of themselves! Matt Ryan end zone interception totally unacceptable. By the way, where the Hell was Keith “No Tackle” Brooking all game? He was in LaLa Land watching on final Pack touchdown! Did not make a damn solo tackle all day. Worthless quitter! Roddy “Another Drop” White lived up to reputation! Cost team timeout due to ineprirude. When will Falcons get secondary? Cannot defense a one-armed quarterback. Completely unacceptable! Falcons need to pressure quarterback! To Hell with prevent package. No one in secondary can cover anyone!

By Mark

October 5, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

So much for the 1-15 season, huh? Way to go Dirty Birds. You are winning the games you are suppose to. More than I can say for the old MV Falcons.

By here since '67

October 5, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

wow; that’s a lot of anger for a win; beat the spread; won the game and because it wasn”t perfect everybody should be cut; if you can’t be happy with a win;a road win no less and a winning record; then there’s no hope for you to ever be happy;

By cp

October 5, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Guys still cant let go of Vick. No one had mentioned him but its always some idiots who have to. Guys cant seem to praise the new qb without bashing the old one and vice versa. And not to turn this into a Vick debate but some of you guys really need to stop trying to act is if everything Vick did was bad. We have won 3 games under Ryan and somehow he is already better than Vick?. That is ridiculous. Support the new qb and get over the hate for Vick. Oh yea Brooking still sucks.

By ulysses

October 5, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

drop the hate, we won!good game d-birds, forget the negative talk, they are not bird fans anyway!!

By ron

October 5, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Good win on the road against a decent team. Rookies make mistakes but not many rookies demonstrate the ability to call\change plays at the line like Ryan does. Definitely need help for Abraham and in the secondary but much more positive than negative. I’ll take 3-2 at this point and be damn glad to get it.

By slick

October 5, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

stendec ,you will probably vote for the communist obama too.

By stendec

October 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Kudos for win. Two issues which MUST be addressed! Lack of pressure on opposing quarterback. Lack of coverage ability in secondary. When receivers covered by two defenders score touchdow (twice) it is a MAJOR problem. Considering the QB only had one good arm! Agree?

By JC

October 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Hey we won. Dirty Bird is older than Vick. It’s in the past.

By jk

October 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

If you take away the the horrible interception, I was impressed with Ryan. Overall he looked poised and confident. We forget that this was only his fifth game in the NFL. Considering that, I think he did extremely well. Now the secondary is another story. Why did we trade for Foxworth if he’s not going to play. He did a good job in Denver and can’t do worse than Grimes. I am perplexed by the coaching staff’s decision on this. They need to tighten up or they’re not going to be able have too many repeat performances.

By Great Falconi

October 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Very nice win today.

I didn’t think the Falcons were going to win a road game for a while. At worst, the Falcons will head into the bye at 3-3. I don’t think there were many people out there who expected that.

Anyway, I think that any football fan with a brain knows that winning in the NFL without the kinks ironed out is tough. The Falcons are managing to do that with a rookie QB. Ryan’s performance (yeah, even with the dumb pick) was considerably better than his previous road games. Today’s win is promising.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

October 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Your lack of eloquence tells me you are not smarter than a fifth grader. The electric chair? Hasn’t that been ruled cruel and unusual? As for you race, I choose to think of you as being of a race other than my own. No matter. You’re an embarrassment to any. Now, why don’t you go get lubed up and enjoy your pursuit of the blindness your mother warned you about? You are a neanderthalic moron who has to resort to gutter language to get any idea across. Happy pounding on that miniscule pud!

By Token Gringo

October 5, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

I like that Ryan rarely makes the same mistake twice. I did not expect him to be this far along at this point this season. It’s weird to actually have a talented qb who is smart enough to audible. A good win. We knew that we were going to be hurting up front on DLine this year, and it shows, but we are still getting wins. Another draft or two to shore up the lines and we are looking good. Great pass blocking today O-Line!

By The Real Truth

October 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Good game Falcons. For a team that was picked by many to only win 1 game, and by some idiots picked to win 0 games we are exceeding expectations! I didn’t even think we’d go in and beat Green Bay so its a surprising win for me. One thing that is apparent is that this team is well coached all around. Now the D did eventually wear down and give some plays but that’s expected when we don’t have much depth and on the field the majority of the 2nd half. Another thing that is apparent is that Michael Turner is the best running back we’ve had here in Atlanta since Jam. It’s good to see that Roddy White is stepping up and becoming the man and I’ll say this. I said this a couple of weeks ago and I will say it again…I was wrong about the Falcons taking Matt Ryan over Dorsey. I didn’t think we needed Ryan, but now after watching this guy play. I’m starting to become a believer. I’m not saying that he’s the greatest thing since the invention of a car, but the guy as a rookie is doing a lot of things that some prob QBs can’t do. Again, good win team.

By JC

October 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

What does Obama have to do with this blog?

By Brandon

October 5, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Is it me or did Ryan look a looooot like Manning at one point in the 2nd or 2rd Qtr I think…

By Brandon

October 5, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Is it me or did Ryan look a looooot like Manning at one point in the 2nd or 3rd Qtr I think…

By Howie

October 5, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Its hard to find fault when you go on the road to lambeau and beat the team that was one (1) play away from the SB last year - Rodgers shoulder was not the reason we won this game - Defense was sloppy at times but made plays when necessary - Thank God for Michael “The Burner” Turner!!! Way to go Birds!!!!

By savannah dawg

October 5, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Win or lose, the Falcons look like a real football team instead of a bunch of me-me-me-me-me-me-me-me-me.

By cb

October 5, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

A win is a win. Good job birds (for the most part). Areas of concern: Brooking has given us his best in the past, but the problem is that it has been in the past and his time has PASSED as a productive player (HE NEEDS TO BE BENCHED!!!!PLEASE!!!!!!!!) Abraham is a beast and needs help. Anderson is a bust! What is the deal with this secondary? They get torched every week! I am very impressed with the offense. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner,Roddy White and Jerious Norwood are the future. The offensive line is also showing promise. Good work so far Thomas and Mike! We’ve got professional football back in the ATL!!GO FALCONS!!!!!

By Skeech

October 5, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Brandon - Matt is aloooong way from looking like either Manning, but he gets better every game. He doesn’t need to be manning, I’d settle for Hasslebeck! :)

Run defense needs to STEP IT UP next week and I want that Dome ROCKING for da Bears. C’mon Birds! 4-2…you can do it!

By FJR

October 5, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Look guys, the defense is a bit undermanned. But I’m proud of how they’ve played. We cut or traded a lot of “talented” players.

We’re playing with several guys starting who would be on most teams scout teams or at least backups right now.

Sure, Ryan made the one bad throw, but other than that, It hought he was outstanding. I can’t believe that as a rookie on the road he handled running the no huddle offense and calling all the audibles that well.

Offensive line played well.

you’re seriously criticizing roddy white? He might have dropped a couple, but he also got himself open, despite consistent double teams and safeties over the top.

By FJR

October 5, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

The problem with the secondary is that we got rid of a lot of “talent”. Going into the season, a lot of prognosticators called our secondary the least talented they had seen in several years of any team in the NFL.

I think the guys we have have played above and beyond their abilities. We’re just going to get beat int eh air a lot by good passing teams. Its something that we’ll hopefully address either this offseason or through the draft.

The fact that the Falcons have won a few games seems to make a lot of people forget that this is a REBUILDING year. I don’t mean that as an excuse, but when we’re starting one of the oldest players in the league, a 2nd year player, a waiver wire player and a marginal FS guy, you are really wondering why our secondary is getting torched?

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Roddy White is coming along. good foor him

By True Falcon

October 5, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Can’t gripe about this game. Looks like we might be headed for a .500 season which would exceed expectations.

Disagree about the talent level of the DBs. Lack of experience is the key. Grimes and Jackson are rooks, Houston second year. Next year they could be outstanding with a year in the system. One glaring need is pass-rushing DL. We need a quick one-gap guy for passing downs to come in for Grady. All those questioning the J. Anderson pick are looking good at this point. Wish we had Okoye to rotate in with Babineaux and Grady- would be stellar. Biermann looks too small to get in a stance. Maybe move him around on passing downs like Adalius Thomas with his athleticism.

Also, hate to say it but Brooking is done. In the nickel with him in the middle they ran all over us. One play in particular Abe and Boley turned a sweep inside but Brooking over-pursued, giving up 15. Another play the RT got into him and drove him back 5. Brutal. Give me Lofton, Boley, and Nicholas and we’ll go to war.

GO BIRDS!!!

By crabapplejoe

October 5, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

A good day for Falcon fans. For anyone to call Keith Brooking an untalented loser shows what a pathetic loser they themselves are. His pro-bowl days may be behind him but he leaves it all on the field and could never be called a loser. And can someone tell me why we let Patrick Kerney walk out the door for more money and then turn around and give that money to Jamal Anderson? Can you imagine having Kerney and Abraham on the corners. Even the biggest Matt Ryan fans wouldn’t have predicted a 3-2 start with a win on the road in Green Bay. So all you Ryan hating racists will just have to cry yourselves to sleep tonight!

By 74 Dawg

October 5, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Honestly, I thought the Falcons would win 3-4 games this year, as I posted on Bradley’s football fiasco blog. Right now , the preliminary grades have to be that they are ahead of schedule . They look a lot better than KC , Detroit, Oakland and the Rams, the folks they drafted with. On the other hand,they are overmatched against good teams. They look well coached, and they actually show up, unlike the last 2 years. The test will be, do they still show up when they are 4 and nine or 5 and 8 with a lot of aches and pains and nothing to play for but next year. Time will tell if Dimitroff/Smith can get it done, but so far , so good.

By This Gets Old

October 5, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

“Why not use the no-huddle offense more?”

Because if you don’t make the 1st down then how much rest does your defense get? Not to mention that BVG using a three down linemen which lets the QB sit back there instead of having to make a quick decision.

Hey guess what? We can throw the ball to the TE.

By OutOnALimb

October 5, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Crabapple Joe… Brooking is a liability period. Not only as his Pro Bowl days over but, he shoulda retired last season and not taking up valuable cap space and a roster spot. Read my lips…… Keith Brooking is a liability and they should have kept Demorio Williams or brought in another veteran who can make tackles at the line of scrimmage and not in the secondary. BENCH BROOKING NOW!!!!

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

PFFFFFFFFFFFFF, you falcon fans are straight up losers.

By True Falcon

October 5, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Nah, This Gets Old…

Have to take issue with your no huddle comment. You seem to be mistaking it for a two minute offense. The no huddle simply allows Ryan to read the D and call the play at the line. If you’ll notice the run-pass balance stays the same and the ball is generally being snapped with 10 or less on the play clock. How would this reduce rest time for your defense?

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Gotta give it to Ryan, he played a great game tonight

By country boy

October 5, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

C’mon Bird Babe. A little rough on our QB aren’t you?? Yea he blew it on the end zone throw but, damn baby, we are looking at a QB who just finished his 5th pro game. I though he did us proud all in all. Surely you are not asking Ryan to make the Pro Bowl this year are you Bird Babe???

By SickandTired

October 5, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Wow, anyone taking shots at any of the Falcons after a win like that should just give up watching football. Thanks to Arthur Blank seeing the light, we now have the makings of a REAL NFL franchise. The new GM and Head Ball Coach are making the right decisions on players to use this season as a building block to the future stability of this franchise once and for all. Matt Ryan will only get better, Keith Brooking will move on to New England next year and play well for another year, Turner will start as long as he’s healthy. The most amazing thing is the offensive line. Who would have thought that we could establish the run with power blocking and throw it when we want to instead of throwing it when the defense dictates. That is the key to developing a young QB. The days of the chaos Vick offense are long gone and it’s so refreshing to have hope for the future. If you still want to rant about MV being gone you might as well, as I said before, find something else to do. He’s gone, he’s never coming back, and the Falcons are moving forward to having a respectable, solid, winning franchise for the first time in history.

By Great One

October 5, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

This was a GREAT WIN!!! I am a Falcons fan who believes that Vick was mistreated and that the Falcons shouldve drafted the guy from LSU. But that is all water under the bridge now, there is a new QB here now, and he is performing way ahead of my expectations. I am a Falcons fan, not a fan of ANY one player. We all need to come together and support the team, not make excuses for why theyre winning or complain about the miscues or play the race card. I want to forget about the past as soon as possible, and this year’s Falcons organization is helping me do it!!! The future is bright, lets move on, and move forward!!! Wins are wins in the NFL, the old Falcons would be 1-4 or 0-5 instead of 3-2.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

October 5, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

Great One, you are more so-so than great. It should be Grate one in that you grate on the nerves of the intelligent and literate. Thanks for the multi-postings. It’s just as uninteresting and fallacious the third time as it is the first reading. Keep up the silliness and sophistry.

By crabapplejoe

October 5, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

To Great One….“Keith has been very efficient working the weakside linebacker,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I think it puts our best 11 guys on the field in the positions they feel most comfortable in.” I’ll take Coach Smith’s assesment of the situation over yours. Lots of folks hate on Brooking because he’s the only white guy left on defense. The Vick supporters particularly hate on him because they have no where else to go.

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

@Joebrave, I nevr said I wanted Vick to coome back here. lay that pipe down for 2 seconds

By True Falcon

October 5, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Regarding Vick for the last time:

Some facts from his last two full healthy seasons:

1) We never had a fourth quarter comeback

2) We never completed over 53% of our passes

3) Our red zone TD% was brutal

4) Our record was below .500

Vick was never an NFL caliber passer. In baseball they’d call him a thrower rather than a pitcher. He never got past his second read (and not only because of pass pro) and he had no touch. The Falcons were well known as the worst screen passing team in the league because Vick couldn’t throw screens. And why do all his apologists forget the DUMB things he did? The INT today was a rookie mistake, either late or a little short. Mike made some horrible plays taking off without tucking the ball. I remember several fumbles where he was either untouched or barely touched.

I know the guy did things no one else could. The problem is that coordinators figured out that a wide tackle five-man line would keep him boxed in on the ends and send pressure up the gut. Bottom line, for ALL Vick apologists: If Vick couldn’t run like he could would he be in the NFL? You all know the answer whether you want to admit it or not. He should have gone the Ward/Randle El route and become a WR and PR. That would have been fun to watch.

By RA

October 5, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

In my relentless search for all the haters that were smelling up these blogs last week after the Carolina game, I remain disappointed. I suppose you could say that Stendec is brewing up some serious hateraid. (Oh, and by the way Stendec, if you hit the post button and just wait for a few seconds, your message will send. It kinda keeps the rest of us from having to suffer through your posts more than once.) Aside from him though, I’m not seeing many of the characters from last week. You know the types, the ones that like to slither onto the blogs after a tough loss, just to make the rest of us feel worse. They don’t show up much after a win though. Now, whether Ryan is the second coming of Manning or the first comming of Ryan, time will tell, but I think that to have been able to do what he’s been able to do is nothing short of extraordinary, and Roddy White is one of the young up and comming recievers in this league. The one thing that I hope everyone remembers though is that this team is still a work in progress. If they lose, it doesn’t mean Ryan is bust. If they win, it doesn’t mean that they’re ready to contend. They’re learning, that’s the important thing. Patience, that’s the word now.

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

@True Falcon, you must be out of your mind. First off, I’ve never said that Vick was a perfect QB, but Ryan isn’t either. I can pretty much say you was in the dome screaming your a* off for Vick when he was here, everyone was, whether you liked him or not. True Falcon, I’m going to tell you something that I believe, and everyone else in this town. Vick is one of those players that come along every 10 to 20 years. Did he do every thing go right, NO!! Did the whole organization o everything right? NO!!!!!!!!!!! Vick had his flaws, but he lifted this sorry a* sports city up and brought us notoriety!!!! Maybe Ryan can, but Vick will be with the right team/organization. Thats the only way you can win in the NFL. He will do it

By Vick Supporter

October 5, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

@RA, i”m still here

By BCS Slave

October 5, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

The Falcons did a great job today. Matt Ryan seems to be growing as a QB. In the first road game he had happy feet. He didn’ know how to step up in the pocket…sure signs he was not used to the speed of the game. Today he looked much more comfortable in the pocket and while scrambling. Overall, his passing has been on target the past two weeks. He is hitting receivers in the chest and hands.

Unfortunately, our receivers are unreliable. Roddy White is obviously the only one Ryan can trust. Jenkins made one great play today, but he drops too many.

We are not going to win eight games this year, but I am very happy with how the team is playing. Smith is doing a great job coaching. The team is playing hard and I am proud of them. Sure we still have some holes. But when we can beat a good Green Bay team at home, leading the game throughout, we are making progress as a team. This was not a lucky win. Green Bay didn’t hand the game to us. The team and coaching staff deserve all the credit.

By PopEye

October 5, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

Good Game overall Falcons: My game ball goes to John Abraham on defense, once again he saved our hide, and Michael Turner on offense. J Anderson was again a no show in the game and each week is inching close to being a “BUST” but still too early to make that call just yet(maybe next week). Keith Brooking however is done. Good player in the past, but he probably needs to shut it down and take a job in the booth. We need a difference maker for his salary. The secondary is a complete “JOKE” something has to be done, what a complete failure each week. The defense as a whole needs to tackle better. Too many big play opportunities are lost due to missed tackles. Brent Grimes should be arrested for his obscene on field play. Each week this guy get’s posterized by anybody he covers. He can’t tackle, can’t hit, he can’t even cover his mouth when he coughs’. He looks totally lost and confused while getting burned time after time. He’s a 14 point liability even before the game starts. Just cut him already! Enjoy the win tonight but don’t let it go to your heads, we still have a long way to go. Maybe we can learn to tackle before next week. By the way nice job Matt, less the INT. I for one didn’t like the pick but he is working out ok so far.
Let’s all drop the race thing. Vick was the man before he got sacked by his own character flaws, I love him and God bless him, but he did it to himself (good luck in the second half Vick), so let’s all move on. We have to prepare for Chicago. Go Falcons

By Vick?

October 5, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

Lets just all be honest here Michael Vick is a Dumb_ and it does not matter what color you are if you dont think that then you are a dumb_. He had his chance he was too stupid to take advantage of it. Now we have an educated leader on the field who makes good decisions Mike Vick could not even hold his jock strap. I believe in redemption and everybody deserves a second chance but you are looking at your Franchise Quarterback he wears number 2 and he has exceeded all expectations for his first year lets all get on board because this guy is going to bring a Superbowl victory to Atlanta in the Future and also good luck Mike Vick and you too O.J. Simpson

By crabapplejoe

October 5, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

To Vick Supporter you wrote “Vick had his flaws, but he lifted this sorry a* sports city up and brought us notoriety!!!! Notoriety all right… Drafting Michael Vick was the single worst sports decision this town has ever made. I am a native Atlantan and have been through all the ups and downs. If there was one decision we could go back in time and change it would be the Vick draft choice. He polarized this city like nothing else before…and brought us nothing. Matt Ryan is putting us back on track.

By Great One

October 5, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

Mr Crabapple, what exactly what is Mike Smith supposed to say about Brooking? Put up ONE quote where a head coach in the NFL is bashing one of his players. You wont see that happen even in Detroit or Cincinnati!!!! If Brooking is so “efficient,” we’ll see if he finishes his career in Atlanta………..

By crabapplejoe

October 5, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

To Great One “what exactly what is Mike Smith supposed to say about Brooking? Put up ONE quote where a head coach in the NFL is bashing one of his players” He could have said nothing, but he choose to say what I printed. Your hatred of Brooking is based on one thing and you know it.

By Great One

October 5, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

“Lots of folks hate on Brooking because he’s the only white guy left on defense.”

Look, I dont know if that comment was even directed towards me, but if you read it over Crabapple Joe, you can see the ignorance for yourself!! Im calling it ignorant because you don’t even have ANY facts or statements to back it up!!! Why do you think “lots of folks” want to see all the “white guys” kicked off the team? I personally dont care what color the players are, I just want to see a perennial championship contender!!!! Im tired of my team and my town being the NFL laughing stock!!! THE VICK SAGA IS OVER WITH, the supporters and apologists have let it go!!! So why dont yall haters move on?? There is no need to compare Ryan to Vick, they are two completly different QBs playing with two different teams and coaches!!!

By Steve

October 5, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

What a difference it makes when you get a real GM who knows how to evaluate talent and a real football coach. Oh, and I don’t think we have to worry about our current QB getting arrested for dog fighting, getting stopped in airport security with a suspicious water bottle, failing drug screens, flipping off fans in the Dome, or having an alias - aka Ron Mexico! We still have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but give this GM and coaching staff a year or two and this could be a really fun team to watch!

By richbrave

October 5, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

I guarentee the FALCONS win at least three games this year.

By Great One

October 5, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

If you want to accuse me of being a racist, that’s fine, you dont know me and Im not hurt by it!!! For the record, I havent seen Boley or Anderson make many plays this yr either, does that make you feel better?? Kroy Biermann looks like he could be a factor glad to see him getting action!!! Im sorry I hurt your feelings by calling out Brooking, but hes a SCRUB. I dont cry when I see Vick being called a DOG KILLER, that what he is!!! Stop crying!!!

By TheAntiMe

October 5, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

I agree that the Falcons biggest weakness lies in the secondary. Having said that, you absolutely have to give a huge amount of credit to the Packers QB Aaron Rodgers for the Packers 300 passing yards today.

Rodgers was deadly accurate with most of his passes and the long touchdown pass to Donald Driver with 2 Falcons draped all over him, in the 2nd quarter, was as good as it gets.

By TheAntiMe

October 6, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, it’s kind of funny the comments about almost getting beat by a one-armed QB. I’m sure there may be one playing football somewhere in this world, but I don’t ever remember seeing a QB using anything but one arm to throw the football.

I mean, the dude plays QB for the Packers, not the drums for Def Leppard.

By Manny

October 6, 2008 5:32 AM | Link to this

Let me just get this out of the way…

That interception in the end zone was unacceptable and placed a big blemish on Matt Ryan’s day.

I had to say that, because if he didn’t throw that bad pass, Matt Ryan looked absolutely terrific.

I liked this game because this was the game that I was waiting for: A game in which Matt Ryan had to win the big game passing. The Falcons had the running game going well, but the Packers keyed on the run a lot and Matt Ryan and Roddy White made them pay.

Now, let me give the game ball to Roddy White. Roddy White was a beast! There were a few times in which his routes were so crisp that the DBs were falling down. And it wasn’t the grass… their legs were crossed. Roddy White picked those boys apart, and Matt Ryan just had to make the throw, because White was wide open.

But the reason why people should start bragging on Matt Ryan is because there was a point in the game in which he couldn’t use Roddy White as a safety blanket. He had to make difficult throws in traffic. It was, I think, in the 3rd quarter. Matt Ryan looked like Peyton Manning during that time. He was checking off at the line. He was making the adjustments based upon the defense and audibling. And he led that drive like a veteran.

And to top it off, that TD pass to Roddy White at the end was perfect.

Nice Game. Very nice. And against a good team.

By RA

October 6, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this

You know,I owe Mark Bradley a big time apology (which I’ll get around to making one of these days…) I held him personally responsible for keeping all this Vick talk going, and while he played his part, it’s become painfully evident that this city can generate its own crap where Vick is concerned. What’s sad is that a year after the fact, we’re still bickering over MV. It’s as simple, and as complicated, as this, Mike Vick chose, very deliberately to involve himself in activities that he knew at the time to be highly illegal. He got caught, and he was put away. Now, to the extent that you can argue that what he was doing wasn’t any worse that the hollywood starlets that drive drunk and endanger families, decide for yourselves. The bottomline is that Vick is gone and Ryan is here and he’s doing everything that he can do to learn and improve. I’d rather focus on that than someone who’s been in prison for almost a year because he thought he was above the law.

By Ryan

October 6, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

YOu know as far as the Mr Magoos who think Brooking is bad, two things:

Get your freaking glasses fixed and:

I’ll take the opinion of this coaching staff and players over yours. And my own eyes.

By jeanE

October 6, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Yeah, great win but still finding it hard to get excited about this team. All my favorite guys are gone & they barely use Finn which steams me to no end!!! Why are they throwing to some back up tight end (Hartsock) in the endzone but not Finn??? Mularkey is unimpressive in the extreme. I have nothing against Ryan personally but I still would love to have a defensive end to compliment Abe…Anderson is beyond pathetic. What is with that guy? He’s huge, how come he can NEVER get near the QB? Secondary is vulnerable…love the way Grimes plays. Special teams is awesome, the best unit on the team. Except for Jennings who almost had a disaster on his hands. Aaron Rodger, I agree, is very gutsy, great performance from a guy who was hurting. I miss Alge (so glad to see him get a TD with the Titans!!), Warrick & still miss Kearney for more reasons than one! Brooking is so done, it’s sad.

By boxer99

October 6, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Arguing with “Vick Supporter” is pointless. Just from reading his comments over the past few weeks its very clear the guy is a mental midget and has not even half of a brain in his head. he honsetly thinks Vick is going to come back and win a Super Bowl with some other team, Vick needs to learn to call and audible before he has any wet dreams of winning one. Maybe they will send O.J to the same prison Vick is in. Just think, they could be the best one-two punch in the Penal leagues. Its hard to argue with someone as ignorant as “Vick Supporter”.

By Manny

October 6, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I concur about all the Vick talk. Simply put, Vick isn’t here and Ryan is. But also to compare Vick and Ryan is comparing apples and oranges. Ryan doesn’t have the skills that Vick does. Vick didn’t have the support from a good coaching staff or complete system that Ryan enjoys.

I mean, we have absolutely no idea how Vick would fare if he had the opportunity to audible. We have never seen it. Plus, we don’t know how Matt Ryan would have fared if he was the QB last year or 2006.

This is my take: Vick is gone, but so is Jim Mora, Joe Gibbs, and Gregg Knapp. And Gregg Knapp isn’t lighting it up in Oakland, either.

Matt Ryan is a rookie. I don’t know what his career would look like, but he looked good yesterday… for the most part. Let’s see what happens the rest of the season. And let’s see what happens when Vick comes out and plays for the Chiefs.

By boxer99

October 6, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

“Vick Supporter”= Kneegroid, I like that very fitting.

By monty

October 6, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Good win for the Falcons, agreed. We were fading fast though, good thing time ran out when it did. Our secondary played way to soft, their receivers were usually open by at least 2-3 yards. I disagree that we pressured Rogers very much. We did a better job early in the game, but he sliced us up in the 2nd half. Good thing he couldn’t throw the deep ball because his arm was falling off. Lots of things to work on but a good win.

By laughing at Atlanta

October 6, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

What a disgraceful town of sports fans. Your team is clearly overachieving. Performing much better than anyone honestly thought they would. Yet, I read this blog and it is another example of racial childish bickering. There are 2 things you can count on in the NFL - Detriot Lions will suck, and Atlanta sports fans will continue to act like childish racists instead of speaking intelligently about sports. YAWN.

By cee

October 6, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

vick did it too way to go ryan

By This Gets Old

October 6, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

True Falcon: Nah, This Gets Old…

Have to take issue with your no huddle comment. You seem to be mistaking it for a two minute offense. The no huddle simply allows Ryan to read the D and call the play at the line. If you’ll notice the run-pass balance stays the same and the ball is generally being snapped with 10 or less on the play clock. How would this reduce rest time for your defense?”

Then we just have to disagree. Ryan can call the play at the line if they huddle. They’re [FALCONS] trying to get matchup advantages. They want to keep the D from making personnel changes. And it’s a change of pace. There’s a reason that when teams are trying to run the clock out they snap the ball (comparatively) later after huddling.

If you run the no huddle more you’re really taking the diminishing he value of it in my opinion.

By This Gets Old

October 6, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Am I the only one who’s embarassed, ashamed and P’d off by what happens on these blogs day after day, week after week and year after year?

Am I the only one who wonders why, WHY ajc allows some of these posts to be published as part of their product?

By Tron5000

October 6, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Great win yesterday for the D-Birds. Though I sense no lack of confidence coming from Ryan, it’s nice for him to get his first road win under his belt and pump him up a bit for future road games. The INT was a poor throw (and he admitted as much after the game), but I also see Ryan throwing the ball away instead of taking sacks, which shows a maturity beyond his 5 NFL games.

Turner “The Burner” is a stud. Even when he doesn’t have a lane, he lowers his head and hits the hole hard. I saw a few plays where he got knocked at the line, but keep the feet churning and was able to produce a few yards. He doesn’t give up on any play, in any situation.

Great call by Coach Smith to go for the end zone on 4th-and-goal from the 1. Without that TD, we may very well today be lamenting a loss, rather than celebrating a victory. I like that Peelle kid. Dude can catch the ball, and it looks like he’s the new Finneran/Crumpler 3rd-down guy.

Grimes is undersized, but he’s often around the ball. Had Boley not intercepted that pass, Grimes was in perfect condition to pick it off. He plays above his stature, and he will only get better with more experience. I would, however, like to see the D-Birds get some size at the corners and use Grimes in passing situations.

This Sunday against Chicago should show us a good bit about this team. The Bears will undoubtedly stack the line to stop Turner, forcing Ryan to beat them in the air. But it looks as though he and Roddy have formed some chemistry, so I look for White to have a big day in the Dome.

Nice win, fellas, and keep it going. Screw a high draft pick. I want wins.

By richbrave

October 6, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

AJC:

Pounding on the old pud? Sounds like you’ve been watching the SONS OF ANARCHY.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

October 7, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

No, I’ve been meaning to watch it but I haven’t yet. Pounding the old pud has been a tradition of mine for many years now. No arguments and always in the mood.

By john stanton

October 7, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Kaye

For the record I live in the same development at Tony Dungy and Gruden and have had several conversations with each concerning Mat Ryan. Both stated that if you saw his personal workout at BC prior to the draft it was evident that this guy was something special. Tony commentted that he processed “everything” very quickly,a great thinker and a lot of intangibles. Gruden said there was no question this kid could MAKE ALL THE THROWS, as a matter of fact he thought his arm was stronger than the “majority” of NFL quarterbacks already. Gruden stated after witnessing his workout and interviewing him that it would not be long before he was an all pro quarterback and he wished the BUCS had Miami’s draft choice and were in a position to draft him number one.

Tony didn’t comment on his arm strength nor did I ask but he stated, that Ryan was the real deal, extremely bright, humble and a leader which are the “main” ingredients a great quarterback has to have.

I for one think Atlanta was very fortunate to get this kid with the third overall pick. He’ll be around a long time. He has all the physical tools, he’s bright as heck, he’s a leader, the players rally around him and he will never embarrass the team or this community.

This guy is what team is all about

By BlytheVixon

October 8, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Thank God Ryan was avilable at the third pick in the draft. In one pick for the Falcons, the Falcons completely whitewashed and thoroughly cleansed the tumuluous Vick era for good. By dumping overpaid and overrated veterans such as TJ Duckett, Warwick Dunn, Algenon Crumpler, Matt Schaub, Patrick Kearney, Joe Horn and head coaches Jim Mora and Bobby Petrino, the Falcons have ushered in the Smith/Matt Ryan regime. Arthur Blank has finally got it right in that the Falcons now have a product on the field that they and the City of Atlanta can be proud of. The city is now buzzing about the Falcons the same way they were buzzing about the Hawks when the Hawks forced Boston to game 7 in the playoffs last year.

By richbrave

October 8, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

AJC:

If you had followed the series you would understand the ‘pud’ reference.

By Boo Boo

October 9, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Aaron Rogers had some kind of artificial assistance for his shoulder, like a cortisone injection? I wonder if everyone realizes cortisone is a cortisteroid, or more commonly … a steroid. I know in baseball a pitcher with a sore shoulder, or other joint ache, will announce a cortisone injection as treatment, so they can play. The reality is play becomes possible because of steroids; and just like with all steroids, cortisone has dangerous side effects, thus its use is regulated by a doctor’s care. If professional sports really want to make a statement against steroid use (and let’s get honest here, 99% of professional football athletes are artificially enhanced - not natural weight lifting strong), a player with a shoulder “sprain” will sit until healthy, just like a player with a concussion will do the same. Again, that’s a big IF … pro football wanted to make that statement. It obviously does not care.