Jeff Schultz

By Scott

October 26, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Somebody please retire the fade route in the end zone. More often than not it’s intercepted or broken up. It’s a horrible risky play that coaches continue to use even though it seldom works.

By Brent

October 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

A market correction?

Give me a freaking break. The Falcons were the better team on the field on Sunday.

But for a pathetic call by the referees, Matty Ice and the Falcons would have brought home a victory.

Reading your article Jeff, you make it seem like the Falcons were outclassed by the Eagles.

I think they just caught a couple of bad breaks.

Go Falcons.

By lex luther

October 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Truth be told, I would take Lawyer Milloy into any fight on any day. The guy is a game changer and a real professional. Adam Jennings should not be in the NFL. To timid, and definitely a non-big play guy. Where’s Rossum, and why let him go for this scrub?

Coach Smith and staff did the right thing with the time outs. Considering the enviroment and time on the clock, why question his motives. He needed time to win the game, who would had thought that the OFFICIALS, after the horrible call against San Deigo, would foul this one up.

The season is a long way from over and I’ll stand with these FALCONS until the wheels fall off. BTW..Brian Finnerian, bricks for hands.

By Barton

October 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

You mean to tell me that you would say that a team such as NE of last year or the NYG would have been screwed out of this game by the officials because they aren’t rebuilding but the sheer fact that the falcons are rebuilding and 4-2 that this loss was ok and something to just forget about.. I mean they could have been a decent 5-2 team.. I agree though that they may not have won because Ryan is not god but they weren’t due for a bad call by the refs its not like they’ve gotten lucky in these wins.. they’ve earned them. Don’t like the premise of the article Schultz but do like some of the content

By PlusSizeModel

October 26, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

The whole point of a fade route is it’s caught by the receiver or it’s incomplete. Unless the QB throws the ball ten yards short, of course. Nice game from the Falcons. I’m just glad they’re interesting to watch again—-wins this year are a bonus.

By Brad

October 26, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Fade routes to the end zone are okay - but they need to be thrown to Jenkins or Finneran - those are their plays, not Roddy’s… Roddy’s plays are the ones he got touchdowns on - over the middle, make a catch, beat a defender or two, cut across the back of the end zone - not a fade to the corner of the end zone. How many times in the past have we seen Finneran get up over the defender and steal the ball away? That is his game, not Roddy’s…

And as for Milloy - he’s right… in my opinion, that was a clean hit, the ball was still in the air and was live and it looked a lot more like he got his shoulder in to Smith’s chest. I thought the flag was a bit late as soon as the official realized Smith was hurt…

And the “muffed” punt was terrible. If the officials thought he had touched the ball, then the play would have never been whistled dead in the first place and the Eagles would have had a touchdown on that play. Because the touchdown was called back is evidence that someone on that field blew a whistle because he didn’t believe Jennings touched the ball and the Eagles had downed it… whether it could have been challenged or not, that is the evidence that puts the officials at fault on that play. Someone overturned an initial ruling and flat out gave the ball, and the game, to the Eagles… terrible…

No fault to Smith on anything aside from whoever made the decision not to give Turner the ball at the goal-line or the decision not to line up Finneran or Jenkins for that corner fade route - and you have those kinds of calls every game where you second guess yourself - they only appear magnified when a play like that costs you the game…

By Zach

October 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Smith can’t hang on to timeouts just in case he needs to challenge a play in the next 28 seconds. He expects the officials to do their job correctly.

By Pete

October 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

For the 400th time over the past 43 years, the Falcons just continued being the Falcons, finding new and creative ways to BEAT THEMSELVES.

By David C

October 26, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

cliche article. worthless

By CRUSADER 4 VICK!

October 26, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

good game falcons.

By Bart Cowski

October 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Market correction or reality check; it doesn’t matter. The fact is, while playing hard, the Falcons did not play smart. At least their shots to the foot were not en masse as was the case last season. Still, they are a work in progress with lots of potential as long as they continue to learn rather than repeat their miscues.

By Falcon Fan

October 26, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Yes the call was a bad call which seems to be common this year in the NFL. However, I would have to say that no matter how much I like Mike Smith his inexperience as a head coach may have cost us this one. First if we have one of the top running games in the league, why can’t we at least try to run it in on 2nd and goal that close to the goal line. Second, a fade should be called maybe at 11 yards out, not that close, and not on arguably their best coverage guy. The main thing I feel he learned from was using that 3rd time-out before the two-minute warning. 2-minutes means booth review in the NFL. No need for time-outs for official mistakes. 22 seconds? we could have saved that one. Bet he doesn’t do that again. Oh and before the idiots start… nevermind, no point in talking to them.

By CRUSADER 4 VICK!

October 26, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

falcon fan…finish your thought.Are u talking about the vick fans?Well,U NEED TO BE PRAYING THAT HE DON’T BE TRADED TO A TEAM IN YOUR DIVISION.VICK IS ON HIS WAY BACK AND HE’S GOING TO RIP APART EVERY TEAM THAT HE PLAY AGAINST.BEWARE FALCON VICK HAS YOUR NUMBER!

By ..GT NEWS

October 26, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Georgia Tech is ranked #25 in The Harris Poll

By Falcoholic

October 26, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

I agree that the Falcons were not out-classed in this game. Most games hinge on some big plays, and the bad call was a big play for the Eagles made by the official. The bad call took away Atlanta’s chance to make their big play. It’s tough enough for a given team to beat any other team in the NFL without the officials tipping the game. I’m assuming it was an honest mistake and just bad luck, but there should be some way to rectify these game-deciding bad calls that are becoming so common.

By russ

October 26, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Brad, a muffed punt cannot be advanced, therefore, no touchdown. The two playcalling gaffes that stick out to me were the fade route from the one and also the Falcons throwing on 1st and 3rd downs late in the 1st half stopping the clock and giving McNabb time to get points before halftime. Take the 7-7 game into the locker room please Coach Smith.

By e.b.

October 26, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Oh, I definitely agree Falcons are a better team then the Eagles, and you can easily look at two things that happened today that point to them not winning the game. The bad play calling on 1st & Goal, and the bad officiating on the “muffed” punt. Otherwise, Falcons win.

By Broluv Knot

October 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

The Falsons’ lack of composure combined with the officials’ ineptitude made the Eagle DNA on the breath of the FOX announcers reek all the more. Still, the flashes of promise witnessed thus far gives rise to a Falcon season that is far from over. I’m keeping the faith but not holding my breath. Hail Falcons! Rectify Rays!

By WHAT?

October 26, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

That’s the worst argument I’ve ever heard Schultz.

How did Smith’s decision to use his last timeout “backfire?” He saved 28 seconds by using it (because the Eagles would have run the clock down to the 2 minute warning). In case you didn’t know 28 seconds on a potentially game-winning drive is HUGE.

To suggest that Smith should save his timeouts in anticipation of the officials screwing up crucial plays is ridiculous. If the officials hadn’t blown that call and the Falcons had plenty of time to drive 60 yards, you would be writing a column applauding the decision.

So, instead of writing about Mike Smith’s supposed “blunders,” try writing a column supporting a league review of what is clearly a flawed replay policy. What the NFL should do is extend the window of time where the booth can review a play to the last 5 minutes of the game instead of the last 2 minutes.

That would allow coaches to spend their timeouts for the correct purpose - to conserve time and set their team up for a game winning drive that cannot be taken away by terrible officiating.*

By T

October 26, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

It kills me that everyone makes excuses for the officials WRONG call.

The falcons made some bad plays, the coaching staff made some bad calls, but correct me if i’m wrong… the officials get paid too, right?

I don’t think coach smith was wrong to take the 3rd timeout when he did. I do think the fade pass call on the Eagles 1 yd line was the wrong play. BUT, the “muffed punt” call was 100% wrong. It wasn’t even close. So, if you have a problem with play calling or coaching decisions, that’s fine. But, don’t try and package everything together as “because this or that was wrong, it makes that call indifferent.”

It does not. Horrible call, took the Falcons last chance to win the game away from them, period.

By This Gets Old

October 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

I’m not second guessing because I wrote this in the summer. Teams with a high percentage of TD’s in the Red Zone use the TE.

The Eagles have given up an average of 6 catches per game to opponents TE’s. It’s not a lack of toughness that’s stopping us from running effectively against these top D Lines. You can’t be stubborn and keep butting your head against the wall but we can’t gain a single yard down there?

It’s only that we started 4-2 that makes this loss hard. Truth be told how many of us expected to go into this game with a better record than the Eagles?

By bigeasy830

October 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

I love the fade route call in the red zone, the QB just made a terrible pass. Quit blaming everyone but him for the pass. He made a mistake by not throwing the ball to the corner where only the receiver can get it, he threw it short and it was picked off. They lost plain and simple and the Raiders game won’t be a gimme. The Raiders have good CBs that can play press coverage just like Philly. Atlanta’s O-line handled the blitz pretty well, it was the Eagles CBs ability to play the press coverage against the Falcons WRs that was the difference in the game. A better second option at WR would really help the Falcons, to bad Joe Horn did not want to stick around for the rebuilding process. It may not be such a long process after all. But when management tells a seasoned vet like him that a rookie 4th round pick will get the majority of the snaps, I can’t blame him for wanting to kick rocks.

By T

October 26, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I expect the Falcons coaches and players to take the “high road” with their comments. They will get fined by the NFL if they speak the truth. But, that doesn’t mean the writer’s and public have to tow the line! That crew should be disciplined for that call.

By Craig O

October 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

I agree with several comments above that this article is worthless. Falcons did not fumble anything. It was a BAD call. 99% chance Matt takes Falcons down for TD if the refs did not screw up the call. We should be 5-2. I agree that Jenkins or Finneran need to be catching any fade routes but we should have ran the ball with Olge or Turner at the 1 yard line first and then play fake with the fade on 2nd or 3rd down. Falcons showed that they are as good or better than a veteran Eagle team.

And the Vick supporter needs to get a life! I was a True Vick supporter for many of years until he did what he did. Fighting dogs is for the lowest scum of the earth. Any of you out there that support him, you got issues my friends. I hope he gets his life together but do not see why you fair wheather Falcon supporters keep saying that Vick will be beating Atlanta. Remember- He never had 1 4th quater come back. A real QB can pull that off, that is what Falcons have now.

By darrell starks

October 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

ADAM JENNING DAM, DAM, DAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE NO MORE ADAM JENNING LET HARRY OR NORWOOD RETURN PUNTS . GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Singletary

October 26, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

I won’t repeat ATFF’s points, but they are solid. Did it make anyone else sick to hear Reid’ press conference praising Westbrook instead of the zebras?

Mike Smith took the time out to save 28 seconds on the clock. I don’t fault him for not holding one in reserve. (It is not his fault NFL refs are incompetent.)

While I understand the need to move the game a long, let’s give the head ref a communications helmet so the booth refs can tell him they are reviewing the idiot call on the field. At a minimum, give teams booth review in the last five minutes of the game!

Finally, we watched several games via TiVo, and ref teams come on the field with clear predilections to call/not call certain penalties. Officiating clearly is not even in the NFL..

By Reid in EAV

October 26, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

A potential angle for a future trend piece of feature: I think in some ways, the availability of instant replay is making officiating WORSE instead of better. That phantom “muffed punt” is a perfect example. The official was letting the play run, not blowing it dead, because that’s now standard practice in NFL officiating. Let it run, then sort it out on the monitors. Had the official known that he had to make the right call IN THE MOMENT, the FIRST TIME, the call probably would have been different.

Agreed, there were a good many plays we would like to have had back (Milloy’s brutal hit and Ryan’s ill-advised fade amongst them) but that doesn’t excuse the fact that this was TERRIBLE officiating that denied the Birds a chance at a game-winning drive.

By Rick

October 26, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

The goal of the instant replay is to get the call right, but the way the NFL instant replay system is constituted, it’s impossible to get the call right every time. I think the college replay system is by far a better system the the NFL because it stays true to its objective: to GET THE PLAY RIGHT!!! If this was a college game, the Falcons would’ve at least had a chance to win the game. The NFL botched a chance to have an exciting, last second, come-from-behind type game. Instead, most viewers turned the game off once that call was official. I know I did. Just another why the college game is better than the pros…

By JBK

October 26, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz is an idiot. In every game a team has its ups and downs in play calling, coaching, etc. That is what makes it interesting.

The refs cost the Falcons a CHANCE to win. That is it, that simple. While mistakes are made, one that clearly costs a team a very decent chance to win should not stand.

Look at the NFL game summary on NFL.COM what political B.S. regarding the subject botched call.

By Bubba

October 26, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Did the refs screw up? Absolutely. Replay’s making everybody easy.

Did Smith’s strategy backfire? How can you say that, really? Plenty of decisions were made in the previous 57:32.

No, the Falcons lost. They got into a street fight with Philly, gave some good shots but took more than they gave. Be mad at the refs, but know that Philly won, that the Falcons didn’t lose, that this is a young team playing better than they ought to be. No Baker, no Weiner, no Jamaal. Beat up, knocked out. That’s football.

It’s not so much a loss as it is a lesson on where they are and where they need to be. They lost a tough game to a good team. They didn’t quit, and for that I say Go Birds!

By Screwed in Philly

October 26, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Save a timeout. Wow! That’s smart. Typical AJC. Coach Smith should have waited until 2:05 to take th the timeout. That way, after the punt, there would have been less than 2 minutes left. He shoudl be fired for not using his ESP.

By Screwed in Philly

October 26, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Save a timeout. Wow! That’s smart. Typical AJC. Coach Smith should have waited until 2:05 to take the timeout. That way, after the punt, there would have been less than 2 minutes left. He should be fired for not using his ESP.

By SquillDog

October 26, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

This is the dumbest article I’ve ever read in the AJC. And that’s saying something considering Terrence is on the staff. Considering watching the game before writing a story. Better yet, consider a new career because you’re just wasting my time.

By genegarbage

October 26, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Jeff-

You sound like a Philly fan. Ref should have called in our favor and let Philly challenge. That call lost us a chance at the game. You, Smitty, and every Falcon player know it, as well. McNabb is the MOST overrated player in the NFL. We were the better team today.

Go Falcons

By monty

October 26, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

Falcons got outplayed today, if we could have stopped Westbrook we win, but he wreaked havoc all day. Maybe in the dome we win, but it’s hard to go into Phillie and beat them there.We needed a flawless game from Ryan, we didn’t get it today, not horrible, just not flawless. That fade pass was the ugliest ball he’s thrown all year.

He will learn and get better.I’m sure he learned as much today handling their blitz package as he has learned all year. He’ll be a better QB for it.

By Jack

October 26, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

I am not happy with the loss but I am more unhappy with the LOSER mentality in ATL. Every year we make excuses for losses! Enough!! And ARTHUR BLANK CENSORS HIS MESSAGE BOARD. I criticized the team WITHOUT CURSING OR INSULTING and I GOT BANNED FOR IT!!!!! I thought this was USA freedom of speech? NOT IN ARTHUR BLANK”S PLAYGROUND> You either agree and accept a loser mentality or you are BANNED for criticizing them…HOW LAME! I WILL NEVER SPEND ANOTHER DIME on HIS team!!!! ARTHUR BLANK, YOU SUCK !!!!!

By Jack

October 26, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

We have not won in Philly since 1980!!! Come on ATL!!! Damn why do you accept this sh-t???!!! No excuse for a stat like that! Only LOSERS accept that sh-t!!!!

By monty

October 26, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Roddy White is a greatly improved version of last years RW. However, he hasn’t reached great status yet, he missed a deep ball that he should have caught. I thought Jenkins made a couple of nice catches. I think we are a couple of players away from competing with the “big boys.” I thought Turner looked a little slow getting to the gaps, it looked like holes would open but close before he could get there. Westbrook is a perfect combination of speed and power!

By Falconjack7777

October 27, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank, your gestapo moderators banned me for criticizing YOUR team. God forbid somone criticize YOUR team! I was a fan before your carpet bagging a$$ came to town. I did not curse anyone but was insulted and told to stfu by YOUR members. I criticized the LOSING mentality of accepting NEVER having won a SB and NEVER having won in Philly since 1980!!! and for that I was banned! SCREW YOU ARTHUR BLANK and YOUR team!!! Obviously, if one of the commoners criticizes YOUR team they are not worthy of YOUR message board!!!! I put a curse on YOUR team and they will NEVER win a super bowl as long as you live!! The Cubs have the billy goat curse…YOU have the falconjack curse!!!

By falconfan68

October 27, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

3 hiccups so far this season

By Arthur Blank

October 27, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

Atlanta fans,

I just want to apologize for the way we played today. I know we didn’t play as well as we could have. But, be patient. I know in 10 years or so, we will be competitive. In 20 years, I think we can POSSIBLY compete for a super bowl. In the meantime, keep buying tickets and jerseys. Someday your ship will come in. I really don’t give a rat’s a$$. I ‘ve made my $$$$ b!tches !!!

By Boo Boo

October 27, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this

Personally, in a corrupt town like Philly, I wouldn’t put it out of the realm of possibility that for 22 seconds anything the Falcons could have done would have been flagged in the Eagles’ favor because they knew Smith had just called his last time out, with no way to challenge anything until the 2-minute warning. If any Falcon would have been within five yards of a bouncing punt, they could have made the same call. Jennings just made it easier for the officials to help let the Eagles get over the point spread.

The Japaneese need to hurry up with those “robot officials”, 11 of them, suspended from wires over the field, each keying on a defensive player. Let’s have 8-hour games, with 200 holding calls, 120 late hit-personal foul penalties, and no bad muffed punt calls, simply because its all about calling the game right, or not calling the game at all. Turn the NFL into the NHL. Hey! An NFL penalty box sounds like a great idea. Personal foul, then play with 10 men. Hmmmmm. Ryan might not throw interceptions in the end zone if it was 11 on 9! A 2-man advantage for 2 minutes. Who’s on the rules committee?

By Drugczar

October 27, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this

No doubt the muffed punt call was awful, but all you folks who think the falcons “won” the game otherwise are fairly delusional. Their two touchdowns came on a lucky dart that got through triple coverage and an even luckier drive against a too-early prevent defense. As for whether taking the timeout at 2:30 was a bad call or not, you’re basically looking at getting the ball at 2:15 with no timeouts and the 2-minute warning or at 1:50 with 1 timeout left in the bag. With 60 yards to go for the touchdown and the win, that’s basically a wash. Either way, you’ve got more than enough time to get down the field, so Smith might just have well kept the T/O. Hindsight’s better than 20/20, though.

By Henry 1

October 27, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this

The call by the officials was terrible as evidenced by all who watched the game. The Article by Jeff is misleading, and does not convey the correct story, but who am I to say that his intent is to report the story accurately. Coach Smith’s use of the timeout was the correct one, and we hope he does not allow this incident to affect his clock management in the future. I would like to see Finneran in the game in goal line situations like the 1st and goal, instead of Roddy. I also cannot understand why Matt checked out of the Run with a bruising back as Mike Turner in the back field. Let me hope it was not his ego with all his family and friends in attendance. Despite the fact that Jennings did not touch the ball this has been the second time this year when his indecision has caused a turnover. We seem to be giving up on the run too early, and that has been the case in the three games we have lost. For a team blitzing like the Eagles, I thought more draws would have been called and the screen passes executed better after an extra week to prepare.

By Dr. Warren

October 27, 2008 2:52 AM | Link to this

Why is no one talking about our feeble run and pass defense? The score should have been much worse. McNabb and, especially, Westbrook kicked our butts. How many times did we fail to stop them on 3rd down? Adam Jennings is the problems? How about first finding us some cornerbacks.

By Henry 1

October 27, 2008 3:01 AM | Link to this

Although Roddy is leading the team in catches and has improved significantly over his first two years, he is still too lazy in breaking off his runs or driving off the DB. He does not force the DB to come out of his back pedalling mode and as a result the DB can break quickly on the balls thrown to him as we saw on many occasions today. I have been saying this about Roddy from his Rookie season and he is yet to improve in this area, one thing for sure, his hands have improved and he is making some difficult catches this season. The ball he dropped today was a difficult chance. I am wishing to have Laurent Robinson back in the lineup and healthy.

By Jared

October 27, 2008 5:36 AM | Link to this

There’s a simple answer here … the replay rule should be changed so that turnovers can always be reviewed.

NFL Officials have been embarrassing this season. The personal foul they called on the guy who sacked Ryan earlier in the game was horrible as well.

But turnovers are just to big to leave to loopholes in the rules.

By "Charles", The Original

October 27, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this

As the legendary Georgia Bulldogs’ radio personality Larry Munson might say, “Get the picture.” The score is 20-7, Eagles. With 3:55 left in the fourth quarter, Matt Ryan hit Roddy White in the back of the end zone for a touchdown; score 20-14 Eagles. On the ensuing kickoff, the Falcons’ defense held the Eagles’ offense to three plays and out. And the opportune time for victory had presented itself.

The Atlanta Falcons smelled blood. The Eagles punted to the Falcons’ forty yard line with 2:30 remaining on the clock. With momentum on their side, the Falcons had the Eagles down for the kill and were poised to pick them apart with 2:22 remaining on the clock. But it was not to materialize. Officials of the Audubon Society charged with the preservation of the bald eagle chased the Falcons away. And the Eagles escaped an almost certain demise.

By Birdy

October 27, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

At the risk of being redundant, I will ask in this blog the same one I posed elsewhere:

When will an AJC columnist or reporter write about the complete lack of on-field value Keith Brooking is bringing the team?

Are the local writers afraid of repercussions by the team if the highly-marketed, yet awful-playing Hometown Hero is reviewed honestly? It seems since Matt Winklejohn ran afoul of the team’s poohbah’s a few years ago and was unceremoniously dispatched to cover girls soccer (or something like that), no beat writer or columnist dares address the fact that we have the 2nd highest-paid LB in the leagu on our roster, yet he plays the softest possible football.

This week, instead of meeting a qb head on at the goal line he did his usual fade to the side and allowed McNabb to score. Does Ray Lewis do this? Or Derrick Brooks? Or any number of WLB / MLB’s in the league today? Brooking avoids contact to avoid injury to avoid leaving the field to avoid letting the fans see the difference an understudy makes.

I won’t even mention the embarrassment of brooking getting beaten on a pass-and-run by a 280 lb fullback (and all the excuses the announcers tried to make for the pitiful #56).

We know the team has three priorities — in no particular order: Gameday experience; Community involvement; on-field success. This comes straight from Arthur Blank. Guess which one Brooking specializes in?

But the fans want a WINNER. And we need YOUR HELP Jeff Schultz (and that of your colleagues).

Please, please, please somehow discuss openly and honestly your opinion of how this LB is performing and whether his continued placement on the field is warranted by his play.

And if you’d like to touch the ‘dynomite’ of whether Mr. Blank’s closeness to certain players and their expertise at being a sycophant has earned them a long, undeserved ride on the payroll here in Atlanta, by all means do so. Just know that I can’t help you get another job so you’re on your own there, buddy. But it would be much appreciated to us fans that want a winner here in Atlanta.

If you see Terrence Moore in the halls, tell him to take a look in the mirror and consider writing about this to help the fans. Tell him it might even incite some heated blogging like some of his other columns, if that will make it more appealing to him.

Thanks in advance, Jeff!

By Dan

October 27, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Nobody has mentioned the poor play by the Falcons linbackers! I’m tired of watching that old dude from Tech running around trying to catch a tight end he can’t cover or taking every fake every QB ever uses on play-action - he is always out of position! Always!!!

By Jeff

October 27, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

The officials are paid to make the right call. I don’t put any blame on Smith. Or Jennings, keeping aside my general disdain for his “game.”

By rob

October 27, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

dont look back ..we’ve got the raiders in oakland next week..we can beat these scrubs…go falcons..and knock meangelo hall into next year..

By elephanthead

October 27, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

That was tough loss. My coaches always said that if you leave yourself in a position to have a bad call change the outcome, you deserve to lose. My observations: 1) When we go up against good defenses, the running attack disappears. The Oline is still not getting a good push and Turner may have good open field speed, but my grandma would get to the line faster than him. Lets try Snelling - he delivers a lick to the tackler. 2) When you have no faith in the run game you get stupid calls / poor execution like the fade route from 1 yard out. If you are 1st and goal from the 1, and you can’t power the ball into the endzone, you have REAL problems. 3) No pass rush again. You would think the coaches would have noticed that their DBs are getting toasted because the QB has plenty of time to find open receivers. 4) The linebackers are are making tackles too far downfield ( if they are tackling at all). Lofton is playing good ball, but Boley and Brooking are lost out there. Those complaints aside, the team is doing better than I had expected. The key is whether they learn from their mistakes - both in the game and in personnel. This time next year will be what tells the story.

By jeanE

October 27, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Jeff, you are right on the money as usual! Lawyer, come on man, you are a veteran player, how stupid was that? You will most definitely be fined. Hope it was worth it. Smith made a poor decision with the timeouts. Stop defending yourself & admit you screwed it up! Jennings, while not entirely responsbible for the loss, is routinely horrible & should be cut. Let Jerious do it, hate to risk an injury but I feel confident with Snelliing as a #2 running back. We need more out of the return game. Ryan made some mistakes, why is he throwing a fade route to Roddy? That is not his forte, it is Finn’s!! Finn dropped a TD but had a good game with 2 1st down conversions & an anwesome special teams stop. Westbrook is going to get his yards & did but overall, I thought the defense wasn’t that bad. I can’t believe it but we missed Anderson when he went down! Playcalling is atrocious, who comes up with that crap? But, still we had a chance to win & we blew it with too many mistakes plus one bad call by the refs. We will go to Oakland next week & take it out on the Raiders!! Go Birds.

By JimC

October 27, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

The best thing about Sunday and, really, this season? The fact that the Birds are playing good enough, the players are connecting with the community as Football players and not thugs or do-gooders, the coaches and front office are bringing hope that the Fans (wow, Atlanta has fans now) boil their frustration over an opinion article in the AJC.

I saw the game. There were many plays that the Falcons would like to have back. Did Smith’s timeouts backfire? YES…was it the wrong decision? NO unless Smith has ESP.

Did the Ref’s call lose the game for the Falcons? NO…Did it take away a chance for victory? YES…But the good news is that despite a day when Ryan learned some lessons, coaches made some questionable decisions and players muffed a few opportunities we STILL had a chance to win against a solid team.

Great teams win under these circumstances. Good teams stay in the fight. After last year’s debacle we are now a team with hope. We were still in the fight with a little more than 2 minutes remaining. It’s not only a huge step, it is a precursor for better days to come.

By YoYo

October 27, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Well, is anyone really suprised that this happened with Jennings back there? Don’t we all collectively hold our breath every time a team punts to us?

I’m at the point now where I’m not angry at Jennings anymore (not just for yesterday’s blunder mind you….but a portfolio of work)…instead I put this on the coaching staff - why in the world is he still returning punts for this team?!?!! We really don’t have 1 other player that can at a minimum sit back & fair catch a punt? REally?

By CTfalconfan

October 27, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

We lost this game because we could not stop Philly’s O in the 2nd half. They went up and down the field. Secondly we continue to struggle in the Red Zone, tossing an interception on a VERY STUPID play call by Mularkey. The team seems to play good in the 1st and 4th quarters but just goes through the motions in the 2nd, 3rd quarters???

Overall the team is still playing well and is very competitive which is much more than we can say from last season…

By Frank

October 27, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Coming close to the ball is not touching the ball. The refs blew it and the Falcons were only allowed to play 58 minutes in a 60 minute game. I don’t care about the last Philly touchdown. The Falcons weren’t going to get the ball back anyway. The players and coaches can’t criticize the officials without being fined. More important than the “one” play is the plays the Falcons could not run in the last two minutes because of sorry officiating. Do you really cover sports?

By Frank

October 27, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Coming close to the ball is not touching the ball. The refs blew it and the Falcons were only allowed to play 58 minutes in a 60 minute game. I don’t care about the last Philly touchdown. The Falcons weren’t going to get the ball back anyway. The players and coaches can’t criticize the officials without being fined. More important than the “one” play is the plays the Falcons could not run in the last two minutes because of sorry officiating. Do you really cover sports?

By Hawkers2

October 27, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

1st and goal at the 1 and pass? No way. We have a multi million dollar full back. Give him the ball, and let big Grady play full back and clear the hole. Heck just give Grady the ball. The punt didn’t cost us the game, the use of timeouts didn’t cost us the game.

The dropped pass in the endzone cost us the game. All year we have not put Ryan in position to lose the game and today we did.

Bad play calling in the red zone has cost us this year and the lack of faith in the offensive line to not run 3 or 4 times from the one yard line doesn’t say much for the confidence in our OL. I think they could have gotten the job done.

By ice man

October 27, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

once again SCHULTZ is off the mark Falcons are improving and are going to be great maybe we should recall SCHULTZ ajc wake up and get some real sportswriters

By Stan Overby

October 27, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Let’s not get too bent out of shape here about this loss. We went into Philly, one of the toughest environments to play in, and hung with them the entire game. Ryan made a couple of mistakes, but he still looked better than any rookie quarterback I’ve seen in a long time, certainly better than any rookie QB this year. I would place the blame squarely on Jennings here. If it’s a short punt and you can’t get there, get away from the ball. To place the blame on Smith here is to point fingers in hind sight. He wanted to give our offense as much time as possible to put a final drive together. You should never save a time out for an emergency challenge flag, that’s a ridiculous proposition. That being said, we came down from a cloud today, but we were not far off from Philadelphia who many writers pegged to be a playoff team. The bumps in this season have been milder than anyone could have predicted.

Next week we’ll take it to Oakland and MeAngelo.

By Paul W

October 27, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

It is whiny to blame the officials. In real time it looked like Jennings had touched the ball, they are not capable of being 100% correct.

Likewise, I don’t know if Mike Smith can be blamed for burning his timeouts. In HINDSIGHT he should have saved ove until within 2 minutes, but be honest and admit how many people questioned it when he did it? He’ll learn.

We are rebuilding and we will lose some of these. The weak throw on the fade route was more damaging than the missed call. Ryan will improve, Smith will improve, and the team will improve. We are rebuilding but on the right track. Be patient.

By CTfalconfan

October 27, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Eagles got lucky but so did we against CHI so let’s focus on Oakland and getting to 5-3 at the half way mark. That would indeed be an impressive complishment over last season. - GO FALCONS!!!

By Steve

October 27, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Jeff, I like your column but this time you are all wrong. The Falcons hung with the Eagles and should have had a chance to win. Coach was right to use his TO. Who would expect such a TERRIBLE call on such a pivotal play? The bottom line is Jennings did not touch the ball so what did he do wrong? If this call went against the Cowboys or Giants, they would have a 30 minute segment on SC to say how they got ripped and we have to change the system. I was proud of the Falcons yesterday.

By Deb

October 27, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Good game Falcons. Yes, the refs screwed up the call, but we shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. Finnerman drops a ball in the end zone, bad call when we were on the 1 yard line and decide to throw the ball. It’s still a learning experience for both the team members and the coaching staff. I do agree, though, that there should be some sort of recourse in that the refs should have reviewed the play. Either way, the team does not have a reason to hang their heads — they did a great job and outplayed the Eagles. The Eagles should thank their lucky stars for their wins. Bet our defense sure was a surprise to them. We need more Lawyer Malloy’s on the team — he shouldn’t be penalized for playing the game as it is intended to be played.

By T

October 27, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

EVERYONE STOP!

Stop going off topic with every comment about the defense, Brooking, the fade rout… all of that is irrelevant as it pertains to this discussion! The refs didn’t just make a bad call. They influenced the outcome of the game with that horrible call. They violated the #1 rule you are not supposed to do as an official. Did the Falcons play a perfect game? No, but they did everything right in the last 2:00 leading up to the “muffed punt”. They should have had the chance to win the game… But, the refs took that away, PERIOD.

By Rob

October 27, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Baloney, Steve. you the man’ but, games are played until the final second runs off the clock. Large and tiny mistakes are made throughout the game and the team that makes the most of thier success and failure wins. The game cannot be decided by officials like San Diego vs. Denver. We have the technology…..they should have rebuilt it, right there.

By W

October 27, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Chargers get a bad call that costs the game, it’s national news and refs are held accountable. Falcons are not given the opp. to win the game on a bad call and it’s like it never happened b/c we are the Falcons and playing a big media team like the Eagles.

I guess, what can you expect when your own sports writers won’t even defend the team they are covering? Instead telling everyone we should expect this and accept mediocrity. You are a joke Schultz, call it like it is, the refs made a horrible call, they decided the outcome of the game, and the NFL review policy is flawed. If it was a college game, the call would have been corrected. I guess NFL coaches should now save time-outs and assume paid NFL refs will make horrible calls. To even think Mike Smith did anything wrong in his clock management in the final minutes is absurd.

By RRisener

October 27, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Actually Lawyer Milloy’s hit on L. J. Smith appeared legal, although brutal, to me. If you watch the replay you will see that the ball bounced off the back of another defender and appeared to bounce away. Although the ball appeared to be out of reach it was still in the air and still live (tipped ball drill) when Milloy made the hit. I am surprised the Falcons did not protest the call (although it was probably not worth a challenge) more at the time

By The Truth

October 27, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I am really starting to get tired of reading crap like this from the AJC. If it’s not you guys kissing the bulldogs a**es we’d have nothing but this garbage to read. I’m tired of hearing about the fade route being a bad call because I’ve seen the fade route work several times in big games. Thinking back….I can recall the NYG beating the perfect team in the super bowl off of a fade route to Plaxico so lets end the crap about the fade being the bad call and call a spade a spade. First and most importantly that was a terribly thrown ball by Matt. Secondly, that play should have been run for one of our taller receivers which out of the two neither one of them bothered to show up.

I know and you know that the coach and everybody else is going to point to other points in the game and say that they could have done something differently. THE problem here is looking them dead in the eye when they are saying that THEY could have done something differently. The REFS call did blow and seal the deal for the Eagles so the fact is that call did blow the game for the Falcons. You can try and spin it however you want but the facts are the facts. There was no other chance for the team because the REFS made a bad call. I think most of us agree that Adam shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place but again the facts remain that Mike Smith didn’t blow the call, and Adam Jennings didn’t blow the call. Those refs did.

By Shannon Castleman

October 27, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I hate it when UGA does the fade and so with the Falcons. here is the point: even if it works, the odds of scoring when giving it to Turner 3 straight times is better than the odds when throwing 3 straight fades. It shouldn’t matter that it was single coverage. We needed a TD. Time was not an issue. We make the game too complicated. Worst case you get 3 points off that.

By Bill Tanner

October 27, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

This was a good game by the Falcons. Sure, they made some mistakes, but that is normal for a team with a new head coach and a rookie QB. Overall, they had a chance to win in the end, which is all we, as fans, can ever want. Bad call by the officials (again). It is fun again to watch the Falcons.

By jc_atl

October 27, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

My only disappointment in yesterday’s game was the officiating. Sure, you can say that Mike Smith should have saved a timeout, but then it would not have mattered if the officials had made the right call on the non-fumbled kick reception. I’d give Matt Ryan and Roddy White at least a 50% chance of hitting a big play for a Falcons 21-20 victory. Crappy officiating sucks.

By RRisener

October 27, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Actually Lawyer Milloy’s hit on L. J. Smith appeared legal, although brutal, to me. If you watch the replay you will see that the ball bounced off the back of another defender and appeared to bounce away. Although the ball appeared to be out of reach it was still in the air and still live (tipped ball drill) when Milloy made the hit. I am surprised the Falcons did not protest the call (although it was probably not worth a challenge) more at the time

By mars

October 27, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

It was due to the officials lolligagging and wasting precious clock time that Coach Smith used the last time out. It was incredibly convenient that the next play was blown oh-so-badly by the official (as bad as Jennings is, his feint did not cause that official to be incompetent). Though the falcons may not have been able to pull out the win otherwise, the game was definitely gift wrapped and presented to the Eagles, who most assuredly did NOT earn this win. They enjoyed ill-gotten gains yesterday!

By Bk Hawk

October 27, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

He!! no! Smith did the right thing and so did Malloy. Ref’s screwed up the last 2 1/2 minutes. Falcons will be back. They never quit….

Jeff, you and ajc sports writers never question Bobby Cox’s decisions or ask him any hard questions about his judgement. Why my friend? You don’t mind cutting down others: Falcons, Hawks and other Coaches.

By T

October 27, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Right on point W & The Truth.

Our Atlanta media sux beans, but the problem is they are not accountable to each other.

By Rabbit

October 27, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

Jeff—-You must be from philly with your one sided observation.And the fade call on 2 down was the right call for that situation with the eagles expecting the falcons to run.The fade is a very effective pass if timing is right.On Milloy the hit he putt on the TE was justifiable the guy was still reaching for the ball.The call on the punt return was one of the worst calls i have ever witnessed in sports,even a blind man could see that.Adam Jennings is not an NFL type player cut him and move on.And last but not least coach Smith if your going to coach in the NFL, at least know the rules.

By ff

October 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

File the game under protest!!

By Steve

October 27, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Right on W. Well said. Falcons should win this weekend and go 5-3 while playing 5 games on the road. Falcons, let’s take care of business this week and get some respect.

Rob, you lost me on your comments compared to mine. I agree, the system has to change. Here’s an idea, if you are out of timeouts and you throw the flag and lose the challenge, it’s a ten yard penalty. Or better, do it like the colleges do it. Perfect system.

By Brill

October 27, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I am with JimC @ 8:38. I was going to come out blasting about coaching decisions, the refs, etc. But instead I am just going to be happy I have a team to be proud of, that doesn’t just mail it in like I have seen in the past. We need to pound Oakland and go into the halfway point of the year 5-3. GO FALCONS !!! Matt Ryan for ROTY

By The Ole Ball Coach

October 27, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Simple the Falcons got robbed by the Refs

By Rufio

October 27, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

First of all I agree in that this article is pure garbage.

Second, the Ref’s should be held accountable. No one can say we would have won this game with the mistakes made during it, but you definitely felt good about your chances after holding Philly to 3 and out. You just really would have liked to have given Matt the chance to show what he’s got.

Also, the fade route was Matt Ryan’s call. He is given the freedom to call that play if he reads Man coverage on the outside. Which there was. So at least that was promising… although poorly executed. So odds are that the run was actually on, but Ryan audibled out of it. He’ll learn.

I like the way we’re headed.

Go Falcons.

By ff

October 27, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

I’m shocked that no announcers, sportswriters, or fans seem to understand the end game strategy that occured after the Falcons had the horrible muffed punt call. They were down by 6 points with no timeouts left. Game over unless the Falcons allow a quick touchdown by the Eagles, get the ball back down 13, score a quick touchdown, onside kick, recover and score a miracle last second touchdown. That’s the only chance the Falcons have at that point. Instead of acknowledging this, I see articles praising Westbrook’s game clenching touchdown run with 1:59 to play. Sickening.

By TheJoe

October 27, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I dont want to blame anyone but if I had to it would be Adams Jennings it was his job to just catch the ball and dont let it bounce and he did not he has been the weakest link all year he don`t know when to fair catch and not to Norwood should be running back punts too.

By LT

October 27, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Very simple strategy, Get Brooking OFF the field, has anyone notice that Lofton, is not on the Goal-line Defense… Review your tapes and you will find Brooking, in the middle making his customary wrong first step by design.. to avoid direct contact I have watch this man B****** his way though game after game.. remember this he is the only hold over from the past ten which this defense has never been rated higher then 12th in the league…Pitiful… This defense will crumble. crumble, crumbl