AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > October > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons leading charmed season so far
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
San Antonio — Courtesy of the goofy ending Sunday inside the Alamodome, the Falcons are more the stuff of pixie dust than of blocking and tackling. In other words, they’re lucky (Is that Herman Edwards still yelling, “You play to win the game�?), and such a trait is fine until about Halloween. As for the rest of their schedule through Christmas, when they hope to reach another NFC championship game or better, something has to change.
Like on defense. Suddenly, the Falcons haven’t one. They can’t stop the pass, and they definitely can’t stop the run. The New Orleans Saints spent the afternoon at their adopted home without the formidable Deuce McAllister, but his two usually ordinary replacements helped torch the Falcons for 211 yards rushing. That’s when the Falcons weren’t turning Aaron Brooks into Archie Manning, along with Peyton and Eli rolled into one.
Wide receivers? I mean, do the Falcons have any? Dez White had nearly as many drops (two) as all of the Falcons wide receivers had catches (three).
Not good. Neither were the Falcons in general, with the Saints outgaining their guests 456-266 in total yardage. It’s just that the Falcons had a 34-31 victory at the end after the combination of a fumble return for a touchdown, the return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown, a brutal interception by Aaron, Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and two bizarre penalties on the Saints that allowed the Falcons to go from missing the game-winning field goal with no time left to making it.
There also was the Philadelphia victory for the Falcons to start the season. In a rare move, middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was tossed by the refs before the opening kickoff to ruin the Eagles physically and emotionally for the night.
Then there was the Buffalo victory, when somebody named J.P. Losman was the Bills’ quarterback. Just so you know, he is so awful that he has been replaced by somebody named Kelly Holcomb.
Then there was the Minnesota victory against a guy doing a poor imitation of Daunte Culpepper. Not only that, no NFL team is more of a mess on and off the field than the Vikings.
So, given those circumstances and that pixie dust, the Falcons’ many problems haven’t affected the bottom line. During this league of growing parity, it’s always about the bottom line, but only to a point. Falcons coach Jim Mora also knows as much, which is why he stressed as much to his team during his postgame speech.
Here’s the bottom line from Mora’s perspective: “We’re 2-0 on the road. We’re 1-0 on the road against the division. We’re 4-2 overall, and the team that we lost to was division champion Seattle when we were down 21-0 and came back to make it 21-18. And the Super Bowl champs, we were down 14-0 and down 28-13. So, in this league, if you look around at the scores week in and week out, it’s crazy. It’s just crazy. I mean, one week a team is blowing a team out, and the next week they’re getting blown out.�
Here’s the rest of the Falcons’ story from Mora’s perspective: “The key is to find a way to win, and they’re not always going to be pretty. But, at the same time, you can never fool yourself. You’ve gotta find the reasons as to why the games are close, and you’ve got to find the reasons as to why teams are running the football.�
Thus, encouraging news for the Falcons, because the players get it. At least they say they do. You can start with defensive end Patrick Kerney, who said of a unit that has reeked all season against the run, “That’s what we’re going to work on hard this week, and that starts with the veterans on this defense. We have to make sure that everybody is doing the right thing all the time, because even when you win, when you get the ball run on you [like the Saints did], there’s a moral loss there.�
Added running back Warrick Dunn, the consummate professional, “We have to play at a championship level consistently, but we still have to win these types of games while we’re making the corrections.�
Yeah, the Falcons do. Without making those corrections, they’ll start losing these types of games.
Permalink | Comments (53) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Terence Moore
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By William Kitchens
October 16, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this
Would you please post your resume on a job board in another market where your cheerful disposition and optimistic attitude towards the home team and a win would be better served?
I am not niave to your purpose at the AJC, just sick of it.
By prolix
October 16, 2005 11:43 PM | Link to this
While some of us are still excited about a win on the road, Mr. Moore still has to bring us down. Is this team perfect? No. But I’d hate to be in a job where my job description means being the most negative person in the city
By Brian
October 16, 2005 11:58 PM | Link to this
I agree with Terence. The Falcons better find some solutions fast. They cannot keep winning these type of games unless they fix the defense and offense. I know we won, but I cannot believe how bad we were. It’s not going to be a pretty second half of the season if we don’t. Tampa Bay is going to win this division if we don’t.
By RFK
October 17, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this
Listen what game is this 5 or 6, patience are the key lessons that we learn every game……Yes we need to not let 85year old A. SMith run all over us, but we will meet each challenge every week like that game we just played, Who Dat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Chris
October 17, 2005 12:29 AM | Link to this
Good job Mr. Moore. Im glad im not the only one that thinks the Falcons havent been looking very well lately. The Saints game was hard to watch. Yea a win is a win but the Falcons didnt look like a very good team sunday. The Saints ran and passed the ball all over the Falcons. They need to do something on both sides of the ball before the next game. The offense outside of Dunn didnt look to well. And the play calling didnt look to impressive to me either. I give the D credit for trying to fight all game and making some big plays but they got beat on all day. We havent stopped anybody on the ground all year, and if they dont do something before we play the Jets, Martin is going to have a big day.(he ran for 150 yards this weekend on just 18 carries) And what happen to the pass rush? The pass rush didnt show up.
Hopefully they can fix some things this week.
By Mr C.
October 17, 2005 12:33 AM | Link to this
The bottom point is that the falcons won. However, they were totally outclassed. The saints dominated both the offensive and defensive lines. Our defensive backs especially the safety position were pathetic. Bryan Scott might not have a job soon if he doesn’t start playing better.
Give kudos to the linebackers especially Michael Boley. Also Vick needs some credit for driving the team to the winning FG. A win is a win but how come we can’t stop the run nor the pass. The CBs kept giving the saints WR 10 yards cushion.
Lets hope they can find solutions to their defense. If not, it will be a long season.
By Submariner683
October 17, 2005 12:38 AM | Link to this
I’ll take the win. Yes, it is easy to be negative and pick apart what went wrong today. To have a fumble returned for a touchdown and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown is almost unheard of. Maybe one team in one game a season does that. How many field goals are blocked and returned in a season? Not too many that I can remember.
The Falcons’ secondary is horrible. Big play after big play. But, to their credit, they got called with some pretty ticky-tack defensive holding penalties and there was virtually no pass rush all day. Even when they stunted there was barely a pass rush.
The best secondary in the world would have given up these plays today. Brooks had 5-7 seconds to find a receiver almost every play. A lot of times the corners were playing too soft and giving up short passes.
The run defense really, really worries me. Not just because of the two back ups. It has happened all year. Only the Philadelphia and Minnesota games did the Falcons stop the run. And those two teams are some of the worst in the NFL. This is the worst I’ve seen the Falcons against the run in at least 10 years.
The offense was offensive at times. Dez White needs to be benched/cut, something. I counted 3 dropped passes this game and he is well over 10 for the year. He dropped a bunch last week for Shaub. I remember him being a speed guy while at Ga Tech. He is neither a speed guy or good hands guy.
I was glad to see Dunn get on track in the second half. I hope Duckett is alright.
Mr Moore isn’t off base by being negative. My point would be that pointing out the negatives in this game does not take a genious sports writer. Personally, I’d rather have an ugly, almost undeserving win than the Falcons play a perfect game and come up short and lose. A win is a win. Better to take this one and know you have to improve everywhere than lose and think you are on the right track.
By dannycardwell
October 17, 2005 12:43 AM | Link to this
one thing is sure. the defense has won all but 3 games for us in the last 2 years, even if they are not very good now. we have an under achieving offense other than warrick dunn that hasnt been good at all. vick is 2 years away from being what he should be, 2 #1 draft choice receivers that havent progressed the way they should, and dez cant seem to catch the ball any more. brooking is great but should never be covering receivers, he was brought in to kill quarterbacks. hartwell was a mistake from the start,scott is afraid of contact. other than that were in great shape. defense covered up all our offensive problems last year. if we dont get some new faces involved this will be a long season.
By Bob in SF
October 17, 2005 02:26 AM | Link to this
Ugly,ugly,ugly! Yes, it was a Win but the Saints are Terrible and Awful. The D made Brooks look like Elway and two journeyman backs look like Franco Harris and Rocky Blier. The Falcons are playing like a .500 team. Does anyone truly believe they can play like that .vs Tampa or Carolina and expect to win? The poor run D is especially troubling; poor tackling and positioning is still killing them and with the season now a 1/3rd over, we have to start assuming this is the norm for this group and not an abberation. One last note; if Dez White fell out of a boat, would the water just part instead of hitting his hands? This guy dropped passes at the Flats and he dropped passes in Chicago. Now he is drawing a pay check from the Falcons as a RECEIVER. This would assume that the people writing his checks assumed he would actually RECEIVE some of the passes thrown in his direction and surely Vick also assumes Dez will catch some of them at least occasionally. Apparently the only things Dez uses his hands for while at Falcons games are fastening his pants,tieing his shoes, and hitting the Gatorade after he drops yet another catchable 3rd down pass.
By Dwight
October 17, 2005 04:11 AM | Link to this
Bob in SF,
You have it all wrong. Dez White can also use his hands for holding. Don’t forget his penalty in the Saints game.
Can you say……Jerome Pathon??!!
By Scott
October 17, 2005 06:36 AM | Link to this
Vick sure wasnt going to win the game with his passing stats. Below 50% again. Reason receivers have low catch totals is they dont get the ball thrown to them only a few times a game. I still cant get over how Vick smirks when his receivers miss his errant throws. The one to Roddy White I think was his first catch from Vick, and Vick slapped him five, but it was like saying about time rookie.
Geezz Louise
By Enzo Vullo
October 17, 2005 06:43 AM | Link to this
You are right on the money! Luck has been on the side of the Falcons thus far this year. This was very evident in the games against the Eagles and the Saints. Luck will carry a team some of the time, but it will not take it to the Superbowl. It is not going to happen this year or any time, as long as Mora is the head coach.
By TomV
October 17, 2005 07:02 AM | Link to this
I thought Brooking played a great game and with Bolay and Williams they all were around the ball alot. Secondary, what secondary. D Hall got beat so bad on that last touchdown his jock strap was lieing in the end zone. Did anyone notice Vick lieing on the ground sulking after he threw the interception instead of getting up to try to tackle the guy who made it. Not the mark of a leader in my book. Finneran deserves to start, period. Dez White has some nice moves, but no hands. Granted a couple of those drops were not very good passes, but the one… ugggh.
By THL
October 17, 2005 07:31 AM | Link to this
If so many of you people hate T. Moore so much, why don’t you stop reading his articles. All your insults mean absolutely nothing when you’re dumb enough to tune into everything he says.
By Larry
October 17, 2005 07:46 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
Truthful & accurate! Disregard those Pollyanna’s who accuse you of negativity. There are hunters and farmers—these guys are farmers. These are the guys that stay in bed while you and I have the discipline, brawn, and courage to hunt. We’ll give them some left-overs after the real men, women and children eat!
This team has issues:
Our “quarterback” almost never hits wide-open receivers on precision routes and now, in his 5th NFL season, still can only comprehend the route of one receiver at a time.
When our “quarterback” does hit a receiver in the hands, too many times they are dropped.
Roddy White is a bust! He can’t even beat out Dez White who can’t catch!
The Saints, without their best running back and best receiver, and Aaron Brooks at QB, undressed and laughed at our defense. Aaron Brooks—LOL!
We have an owner walking the sideline giving group hugs when he ought to take his elephant trunk nose and spank some fanny with it.
The honeymoon is over, Mr. Mora! You took Dan Reeve’s players and gave them a new voice last year to motivate them, now it’s time to do some real coaching. Now we’ll find out if you can actually “coach” players up.
This team has been exposed and you’re absolutely right, Mr. Moore, is very luck to be 4-2.
By D-man
October 17, 2005 08:04 AM | Link to this
Alright now..time for a little common sense…Are you ready? Can you handle the truth? Here goes..Dez White..your outta here…get the heck out..you are costing the Falcons money under the salary cap for what? Heck, my 84 yr old grandmother can do what you do…get penalites and drop passes…why the heck are the Falcons PAYING you to do that?? Looks like they have the second coming of Peerless Price! Thank God, when they finally release White, it wont kill them against the cap like Price did. I honestly see NO upside in keeping this pathetic excuse for a WR. White, your a bum..get the heck outta here, you ham and egger..and dont have the nerve to accept a paycheck for this year’s work. You stink! I almost fell out when Mora mentioned that White would not lose his starting job while injured…hey MORA get a clue man..White doesnt deserve a starting role, GET IT? Now..another dose of reality..why the heck isnt Finneran a #1 WR? Why is he subjected to a backup role? This man has done nothing but come up clutch in the Falcons wins this yr…so why is he not a starter…mmm..something is fishy here…maybe he doesnt wear the right deodrant? Maybe…he doesnt like the right hip-hop music? Gangsta rap? MMMM…then what’s the problem??? Another reality trip for all us Falcon fans…the defense is stinking it up!! My 84-yr old grandmother (no,the other one) could have country lined dance with her 84-yr old friends through the defensive line (offensive!) all day long…heck she and Pat Kerney could have become line dance partners…no wait, he was too busy getting his butt kicked by the Saints make shift O-line. Yep, it’s hard to believe that the Falcons arent the ONLY team in the NFL hurting. Hey, the Saints had to throw together an O-line this game…a line that freak’n had Aaron Brooks drinking coffee and eating bon-bons behind it. Heck, he had all day to do what ever he pleased. And what about the 84-yr old running back that had a resergence of his career behind the same “make-shift” O-line of the Saints…(I think he was one of my grandmother’s dance partners…) AND..Ready for MORE reality? When, oh when, will Rossum ever run back another punt? He is totally fair catching EVERYthing..the old Rossum would have at least given them more effort, but I think the new model is too concerned about his old hamstring injury. I was glad though, to see him at least not faircatch the kickoffs…oh, wait a minute, my bad..you cant faircatch kickoffs! No wonder Rossum is actually returning those! I bet he crapped a brick when he was told Mora assigned him this week to run back kickoffs…I can see his reaction now…What?? NO FAIRCATCHES?? DANG! Anyway my fellow Falcons fans, just a few thoughts. Here’s another: The Falcons SHOULD have beaten the Patriots last week…but of course, our defense was rearing it’s ugly head at that point, and Schaub was discovering what Vick has always known..Dez White cant catch! I will say, I am pleased that Michael Jenkins seems to be getting better…(he is now catching balls which is a huge improvement!) What the Falcons REALLY need right now is a WR that they can count on to catch 6-8 passes a game and a few of those passes game changer catches! Until then, Vick will keep getting rolled up on and chased. Anyway…just my reality check for the week!
By Truckstop
October 17, 2005 08:23 AM | Link to this
With all do respect Mr. Moore (I use the “Mr” loosely), good teams find a way to win badly played games (I’ve seen my share of really bad Falcons teams nearly winning games like this against good teams). And, this IS a good Falcons teams (though they didn’t play like it yesterday) and its to their credit they were able to pull it out (again, good teams do that). I know your job (?) is to make controversal (stupid) statements to generate discussion and, it seems, you’ve done that.
My two cents: Anybody rememeber a qb name Chris Miller. He could move the Falcons up and down the field into scoring position but couldn’t get it into the endzone. Chris Chandler could throw the deep pass as good as any but you had to peel him off the carpet several times a game (or season). I mention this because some of the fans expect Vick to a perferct qb (whatever that is) but there is no such thing. Good qb’s have bad games and bad qb’s have good games occassionally. I want my qb to us give a chance to win every game and Vick does that. Is what he does pretty? No. But he sure is effective.
Remember Marion Campbell, Dan Henning, Jerry Glanville, June Jones, etc. Mora tops them all.
The Falcons have NEVER had a winning “tradition” but its being developed right before your eyes. Good teams had to learn to win games like this on their way to substained excellence. Of course, the Falcons and “substained excellence” have never been mentioned in the same sentence. But Mora and the Falcons are headed in that direction. Two or three games from now all you’ll remember about yesterday’s game is that it was one victory on the way to the playoffs.
I too saw alot of bad but I also saw some good — the Falcons (via Vick) moved to ball into scoring position with only 39 seconds left.
For me, I’ll take the win. As for you crybabies (and that includes you Mr. Moore), why don’t ya’ll start rootin’ for teams like the Saints, who looked sooooo good running and passing the ball…BUT LOST!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Kudzu
October 17, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this
In some respects a great, fun game to watch; in another respect, just plain pitiful…and goofy. My Lord in heaven did you see how much time Brooks had to stand back in the pocket and pass? And he completed (seemes like) every pass; the DB’s are terrible, safety’s seem afraid to tackle, let alone cover…
What happened to the great pass rush?
What happened to the stellar run stopping defense?
Where did the defense go? That was, at least it apperared to be, the one reliable thing we had going this year.
Most common sense folks can see that Vick is, well, we’re seeing all we are going to see…
What’s up with the apparent knee re-injury, on the ground can’t hardly move, then we’re up running around acting all cocky like nothing happened…I mean what is up with this guy? Does he really injure himself or is he a wuss? I used to play with kids and now watch my kids play with kids who can’t be looked at crosseyed without them starting to cry… Everything must be some drama with Vick. In actuality he sucked the whole game till the last drive and he finally figured out what to do…
Turnovers, blocked kicks, botched penaltys won this game, not Vick…please don’t start with your worn out banter of “all he does is win”.
Brooking played one of his more visible and better games in a long time. The middle LB spot must juice him up a bit.
Overall, just crap. I got done watching that game and felt like we had lost.
By Ignatius
October 17, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this
A “W” is a “W” I don’t care how you got it.
By Gumbo
October 17, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this
Terence, you are right! They outgained us by almost 200 YARDS with Aaron Stecker and Antoine Smith. Jason Webster is awful, Bryan Scot was even worse yesterday, and Keion Carpenter has yet to make a play this year!
And, dare I say it - I know I wasn’t the only one yesterday thinking that our best chance to win might be the tall guy standing over next to Greg Knapp. I am not a Vick basher, but if his legs are not 100 percent, I am not sure he’s our best option.
Regardless, yesterday was a complete defensive collapse.
By Rutuger
October 17, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
Jason Webster is the worst CB I have ever seen. You can pick up guys of his caliber by the dozen off of the waiver wire—why did we waste time throwing him actual money? His cohort Bryan Scott is simply dreadful, and this article is completely, 100% accurate. We have been very, very lucky so far this season, and it’s not going to last forever. Something needs to be done before we get exposed even more and the losses start tallying up.
By FalconW810
October 17, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this
I’d have to guess, Dez and Jason each has strange photos on somebody with power, maybe Peerless left the ones he had in his locker, located between DEz and Jason’s. This team has gone from one of the NFL’s best at tackling, to one of the worst, if not THE worst. Teams are going to chew on Webster the rest of the season, give credit to the Saint’s OL, they had our DL locked up on most passing plays, but the rush against our defense is very telling. Last year most backs went down by first contact, this year our tackling looks like speed bumps. Hey this isn’t being negative, this is a reality check. Tampa is more balanced than they’ve been before, we will see what kind of coaches we have as adjustments are made, good or bad.
By jimmy
October 17, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this
after all of the things that the falcons did wrong on sunday they could have possibly redeemed themselves with a defensive stop on new orleans last possession but that was not to happen. the falcons had absolutely no pass rush on the saints last drive. i know this could not have been the defensive scheme. i did not get to watch much of the game. was the pass rush this weak the entire game?
By Mike G
October 17, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this
THIS MESSAGE IS TO EVERYONE ON THE BOARD, INCLUDING YOU TERRENCE. IN THIS DAY IN AGE OF PARITY, A WIN IS A WIN!!!!!!!!!!
By Paul Hamilton
October 17, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this
I have said this numerous times this year here on the ajc. The real glaring weakness of the falcons is their secondary. I have to bash because these guys seem to get worse each week. Webster always seems to be out of position. Both safeties, even pointed out by len pasq. on espn are the WORST in the league. Alot of touchdowns I keep seeing a cornerback with okay coverage but needing some safety help over the top that is nowhere to be found. If the falcons don’t fix this problem, they will have to outscore their opponent each week to win. This scares me alot more than teams running the ball because if we run the ball and the other team runs the ball, the game should stay fairly close. If teams can come out and throw the ball down the field for 50 yards on consecutive plays to score, that means trouble. As evidenced by the patriots win.
By Wondering
October 17, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this
Not sure how many rocket scientist it takes to figure out that Atlanta needs help in the D sencondary but can someone call NASA?? There is a kid out of little ole Bennetsville, SC by the name of Cam Newton on the practice squad that has not appeared on the active roster YET, but can get the job done in the secondary. Scares me to think that the coaching staff thinks that what they put on the field is much better than he is. I hope and pray that things can not get any WORSE! MORA BRING ON CAM NEWTON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Adamsville
October 17, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this
Yes, the defense collapsed GUMBO. What is Jason Webster doing? When he blitzes he runs right by the ball carrier, he gives rookie receivers 15 yards of cushion so that they can catch the easy out route, bump technique on veterans and they run right by him, and misses tackle after tackle.
Keion Carpenter has not made one game changing play this year. None. Nothing. We might as well play with 10 player. (never tackles moving forward)
Bryan Scott…misses too many intercetptions, but tackles well. D. Hall is solid.
On a positive note, I say we let Boley, Demorrio Williams, Roddy White, Babbineaux and the rest of the kids get experience fast. What else do you need to see from Dez White? Hell, I’d find a young corner and let him get some major time too (where is Buhl anyway?) Sticking with the same old stuff will get us killed in Tampa and Charlotte, trust me.
By Bill
October 17, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this
I agree 100% with the thrust of the column, but I think that the criticism should not spare Michael Vick. He was finally accurate on that last drive, but for 59 minutes he threw the ball like a barroom drunk tossing darts—he couldn’t hit the target to save his life. I think Vick makes great reads—like the audible to bring Crumpler in to protect against a first quarter blitz before completing a pass to Jenkins—but he is rarely accurate, as the interception and the many incompletions to open receivers attest.
By kemet
October 17, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this
That game was one of the worst wins i’ve seen in a VERY long time! if it was’nt for idiotic blunders of the saints they would have BLOWN us out easily! i mean a fumble return AND a blocked kick return in the SAME game!!!! its not that our defense is good, because they definitely suck especially against the run! i mean the only reason we beat Philly is because they DONT run. i hope defense gets better cuz i can’t see winning any playoff game with these shananagans!
By Johnny C.
October 17, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this
Mr. T, I would much rather be lucky than good. In all the years that I played sports I learned to never apologize for a win, because sometimes you play very well, do everything right, yet still lose the game. Do you think AAron Brooks is walking around today talking about his “stats”, (which were quite good) or would he have preferred to talk about a “win”? In any event, you MUST win some ugly games sometimes, and I can’t think of one uglier than yesterday. I was not pleased with the play of ANYONE on yesterday, and that includes the coaches. Fortunately, this is a game where you don’t take anything from one week to the next, especially memories. You turn the page and start fresh for the next week. I am curious as to what was wrong with Finneran and why he was not played more yesterday? As for Dez White, I would trade him for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and for a piece of bubblegum, I will throw in Jason Webster. Like I said, no one looked good yesterday, but those two especially STUNK. Finally, can anyone in that secondary catch a football?? Too many passes going right through their hands for me.
By Mojo
October 17, 2005 11:01 AM | Link to this
First of all, you all need to remember that we have 2 loses by a total of 4 points…both against division leaders. And for all the things that went right for us yesterday, it was opposite last week when they all went against us (remember Schaub getting that 1st, only to have the worst spot I’ve ever seen take it away??) The point is this: The toughest part of our schedule is over, most ALL of our LB’s were in new positions yesterday, and the sky is not falling. You all will shut your trap soon enough, mark my words. We will go to the Superbowl…maybe this year, maybe next, but there are several in our near future!! Our D has to gel, and our receivers will continue to progress (after we cut Dez…Oh yeah, and Bryon Scott who could have had 5 interceptions yesterday and damn sure shoulda had 2-3)
By ?
October 17, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this
Anyone know if Jerry Rice actually entered into free agency rather than retiring?????????? “Finny”, keep your head up, help is on the way!!
The quarterback for my little league football squad asked if he could sit out the next game because of a mosquito bite he obtained to his non-throwing hand during the last game. He says he wants to be like Mike!
By paul
October 17, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this
First to all the “A win is a win so shut up” people- The folks who post here about the Falcons problems are just as happy we won as you are (including Mr. Moore). Just because they are pointing out glaring problems in our team does not mean they are not just as much fans as you are. They are just concerned about what these problems can mean down the road. If all fans are supposed to do is say a win is a win or a loss is a loss, then this would be a pretty dull sport. Analyzing and dissecting the team performance is a major part of the fun of being a fan.
Now, regarding the team yesterday: 1. Dezaster White must sit from now on. He is absolutely terrible (oh yeah i forgot he is a good blocker. Geez) 2. Mike Vick is still a guy who is a winner and i would want no other QB in the game when its do or die. 3. I hope to god that he is capable of learning to hit his receivers and go thru his reads because he is part of the problem with our receivers not catching any balls. If he doesnt improve he is going to go down for good one day. 4. Warrick Dunn is carrying the team on his back and is by far our best player. 5. Our defense totally collapsed in this game as they basically have the last 2 weeks. Our ability to stop the run is non existent and Curtis Martin will have a field day(nite) if this keeps up. We are getting zero pass rush and our secondary is awful other than Hall and he has his moments. Webster is terrible as are Scott and Carpenter. This will kill us in the long run unless major improvements are somehow made (i dont have a clue how, is Tommy Nobis still around?).
That in a nutshell is what we have to deal with in the upcoming weeks. If we can somehow slow down the Jets rushing attack (a big if!) and win next week we will have a bye week to try to figure this all out at 5-2. I for one will be most happy if we can do this.
Also, I do give kudos to the coaches and players for at least somehow managing to win in the face of being run off the field for the most part. This is due to having a winning attitude that is huge for a team who has never had back to back winning seasons. I have no doubt the coaches will try every possible thing to correct the glaring flaws we have.
Go Falcons!
By falcon guy
October 17, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Moore, if you really want to see the Falcons play better why don’t you do us all a favor and ask Jim Mora why they keep putting Dez White on the field, when it is clear to anyone not named Ray Charles that Brian Finneran is 10 times the receiver that Dez is? Oh wait, that would be what a real journalist would do, not some two bit hack like yourself.
By Submariner683
October 17, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this
Mojo,
The Falcons have lost by a total of 6 points.
No biggie.
I agree about Byron Scott. They always say, there is a reason why certain players become secondary guys. The fact that they can’t catch is usually at the top of the list. With that being said, he did have at least two, seemingly easy INTs go right through his hands. It wasn’t like they were laser tosses by Brooks.
The secondary needs help. The best help they can get is by a better pass rush, which has been absent the last two games. I can take it against the Patriots, who have a good OL but the Saints? Like I posted before, the best secondary ever can’t cover forever. The front four have to cause pressure.
The secondary was hindered by some ticky-tack holding calls as well. I’m more worried about the run D and the pass rush. I do like the new corp of linebackers. Boley was great in pre-season and was THE difference maker yesterday. Demarrio Williams was another great pick last year.
I’m hoping for better things from the defense. There are alot of great athletes in the front 7. The offense concerns me. I think Finneran should get the start with Jenkings.
By Johnny C.
October 17, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this
I’ll bet that Vick would love to have the time to “go through his reads”, but it appeared that either the Saints blitzed on every down or the O-Line just caved again. Vick appeared to be on the run all day just trying to escape the rush, let alone trying to find an open receiver (who just might catch the ball). It’s during these times when he needs the receivers to come back and help him, not act like they paid admission to watch the game. Everybody keeps saying how there is more to this team than Vick, yet when he gets in trouble, he appears to be all on his own. He needs to have a “hot” receiver available (who can catch) on every passing situation to help with the escape, because teams are definitely trying to shorten his day every week.
By John Reid
October 17, 2005 12:19 PM | Link to this
Yesterday’s game reminded me of the old saying about the $5 hooker, it may be ugly but it got the job done.
By Scott
October 17, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this
The main problem with Vick is he continues to bail out of the pocket too early. He does it because that is what he knows to do. Anyone watch Houston last night. Even David Carr knows to stand in there to the very last moment and deliver the ball. Vick does not get this or is not able to do this. He is a running QB and that is all that can be said.
By tommy
October 17, 2005 01:00 PM | Link to this
First, everyone needs to remember these were the Saints we played, the team that is legendary for its ability to play like Super Bowl champions one week and get blown out the next. The Packers played the Bad Saints, we played the Good Saints. Recall this team beat Carolina on Week 1. On the road.
Second, in the Age of Parity wins have a way of balancing out to your talent level. Other than one or two plays last week, did the Falcons outplay the Patriots? Yes. Other than one or two plays this Sunday, did the Saints outplay the Falcons? Yes they did. In the end the birds ended up the two weeks 1-1, which they should have been.
Oh, and to those cracking on Mike Vick, why don’t you play a professional football game on a sprained knee and show us all how easy it is.
By timothy
October 17, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I do agree with you on the fact that the Falcons need to make improvements on both sides of the ball. I would like to point out that it seems that the problem WAS NOT PEERLESS PRICE. Notwithstanding that Price did not live up to number one WR numbers, but he did do better than what we have seen from the rest of the WRs in the last few games. Dez White does not have good hands…Roddy White is definitely looking like a rookie WR, not a number one pick, though…Brian Finneran is the best WR, but can only outrun a snail…Michael Jenkins does not even look as though he is going to be as good as former Falcon WR Alfred Jenkins…Alge Crumpler is a tight end who is the best thing going as far as catching the ball, yet remember he is not a WR. Warrick Dunn is Mr Consistent and Reliable…Michael Vick, love him, but needs to throw the ball downfield more then you will see those passing numbers come up, maybe not much though. The defense is marred by too many injuries, and with that many injuries, I believe that the offense will have to outscore the opponents until we get some of the defensive players back.
Mr. Moore, though yesterday was definitely an ugly win, the Falcons are still 4-2, which means that they are a winning team, as of now…a winning tradition takes time to build and I think that the Falcons are on the right track…and yes, though Vick’s numbers are worse than a high school quarterback’s, HE STILL WINS GAMES..
By midknight1371
October 17, 2005 01:09 PM | Link to this
D-HALL? COME ON NOW! TIGHTEN UP PEOPLES AND LET’S GET AT THESE FOLKS!
By Xman
October 17, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe you guys are getting on Terrance for being negative. You people need to wake up and see the Falcons for what they truly are. Fortunately for us, the one shining aspect of our team is that we have a great running back and one really good tight end. I thought we had a great QB, but Vick has been a disappointment of late. So far he is the statistical underling to one Matt Schaub, a guy who is making only a fraction of what Vick makes. Heck, I was actually hoping to see Schaub in the game yesterday. Perhaps we could have seen a few more sustained drives and kept our defense off the field. Speaking of defense, where were they? Our DBs play too far off the ball and when they play on the ball, they get burned for big yardage or they interfere with the receiver. The LBs find it hard to play the cover game and the two linemen who are not double-teamed are making almost no impact. THIS IS NOT THE TEAM THAT WILL MAKE IT TO THE SUPER BOWL. Face the facts, folks. I was relieved to get the win yesterday, but if we continue to play like this, we’ll be lucky to get 2 more wins under our belt.
By DCFalconFan
October 17, 2005 04:24 PM | Link to this
First, Mr. Moore column is correct in that there is much that needs to be approved about the run defense and wide receiver play. But everyone needs to take a deep breath and look at this team compared to the other post playoff season teams of ‘92, ‘96, ‘99, and ‘03. 4-2 is looking pretty good and remember even though NFL pundits are on the Carolina and TB bandwagons and usually down on the Falcons…the Falcons do not lose to the Panthers with a Vick lead team and TB has played a Conference USA schedule to this point and in a few weeks they will start playing real teams. There is definite room for improvement but the situation is not dire.
By ATLien in NC
October 17, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this
Hey, I have a question, does anyone remember ‘Sunshine’? Once a sure handed undrafted rookie who made an impression on the coaches during training camp. Releasing Peerless was smart, should have kept Sunshine, dropped Dez, have him go back to GA Tech to help Chan Gainey coach their receivers how NOT to catch!!!!!!!!!
By Don
October 17, 2005 06:12 PM | Link to this
I guess I’ll put my GRITZ BLITZ and HELL YES signs away until our defense shows back up.
Offense scores points. Defense wins championships.
By jc
October 17, 2005 06:31 PM | Link to this
Well, at this point we’ve seen more of the same two weeks in a row. When I stay out way too late attending the Jets game for another Monday Night game, if I see Dez White dropping balls, secondary DB’s giving 15yd cushions on crucial 3rd downs and the Jet’s QB with 5-7 seconds to decide where to throw the ball I will then know that the problem is not the personnel on the field but the coaching.
Also, can we trade in the old Vick model for the new, improved Marcus Vick model that can PASS in addition to exiting the pocket and trying to be a hero on every play? I’m afraid it’s not long before the current Vick model winds up in the shop until sometime next year due to injuries. Vick is a remarkable athlete but since last season I’ve doubted his potential as a true league-leader at the QB position. One guy can’t do it all but when the rest of the team plays as poorly as they have the past 2 weeks, what’s the alternative?
By Scott
October 17, 2005 07:14 PM | Link to this
What’s up with the apparent knee re-injury, on the ground can’t hardly move, then we’re up running around acting all cocky like nothing happened…I mean what is up with this guy? Does he really injure himself or is he a wuss? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
kudzu
LMAO at that one as that is exactly as I see it with Vick. I am honestly beginning to believe that he has some kind of a mental problem. I have never seen a QB do this in all the years I have watched the NFL. Drama ? Feigning injury ? Jumping up like superman the following week, after grabbing his left hammy in games.
Will it never end. I guarentee you that we could not trade Vick and get a top ten Number 1 pick for him. The NFL knows all about him now.
By BCF
October 17, 2005 07:23 PM | Link to this
Good God - how many of you people graduated from elementary school. The run D needs to be approved? Cripes.
By GTIronman
October 17, 2005 08:09 PM | Link to this
Begrudgingly I agree with Mr. T. Hell must be freezing over.
When are we going to do the obvious: Put Schaub in at QB and either run Vick as a halfback or in the slot, assuming he can catch better than he can throw?
My combine stats on Dez missed the obvious, the boy can’t catch. The scouts need to come up with a drill to measure that. The shame is, he’s been running better routes and putting big time moves on some people. GT PhD or no, he’s got to go.
I’d love to see some good analysis on Scott. This guy was always around the ball making great plays the first two years. Somethings gotten into his head for him to look like this now. Looks like he’s been teaching Dez how to catch.
Kearney can talk about getting to work all he wants, but the D line is getting man handled. Scheme may fix some of that, but we’re not being outschemed. The losses at CB are also showing. Unless there are two more Cash’s out there for the taking, we’re in for some big time hurting.
One of the bests posts I’ve seen is that McKay can’t judge WR talent. he needs to contract that scouting out The only positive I see is that the offense is making progress each week. We’ve scored 30+ in each of the last 3 games, against poor D’s, but 30 points is 30.
Go Dirty Birds!!!
By FalconW810
October 17, 2005 08:29 PM | Link to this
Falcon Guy, tell him how you really feel…ouch! Paul that was well said.
By Johnny C.
October 18, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this
Pocket???, Pocket??? If you guys saw a pocket for Vick to stay in on Sunday, you were watching a different game than I was. Throwing the deep ball requires about 4 seconds (4.3 40 for avg deep receivers), with about a 5-step drop to allow the qb to step into the throw, when the Falcons’ O-Line is giving Vick all of 2 seconds at best before he has to break camp. If you can throw a deep ball with that amount of time, you need to call Arthur Blank.
By William Kitchens
October 18, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this
To THL… My comments are directed toward Mr. Moore’s body of work regarding the Falcons.
And if I choose to read or comment in anyway, it is my business.
Enough said as a gentlemen, the rest you can guess.
By larry w.
October 18, 2005 10:42 PM | Link to this
WE WON THE GAME!!! Anyone who beleives that these divisional games are going to be easy are just fooling themselves. I was guilty of beleiving that we would walk over the Saints because of their erractic play and the loss of their star running back. I should have known better! The Falcons and Saints always play hard fought, down to the wire games regardless of the records. I’m just happy we got out of there with the win. It was a huge win!!