AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > October > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US4-2 start can’t hide weakness in foundation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Flowery Branch — If you looked at the Falcons’ schedule before the season and saw early games against the three-time Super Bowl champions, the most dominant team in the NFC during the last four years and four defending playoff opponents in five weeks …
“I know, you wouldn’t have thought we’d be 4-2,” coach Jim Mora said.
But if you thought 4-2, you probably also thought “pretty good.”
Six weeks in, these are the Falcons: 4-2 and not “pretty good.”
There are 4-2s that turn into Super Bowl contenders. There are 4-2s that morph into 8-8. The Falcons might be the former but they look closer to the latter.
Now. This is usually the time when a media-savvy coach reminds everybody not to jump off a cliff, even if behind the scenes he might be ready to push one or two guys off. He might even drop in a line, like Monday’s: “Hey, we’ve won four games, and I’m not giving them back.”
And, yes, there are 10 games left. And, yes, sometimes problems do fade and teams do get better and last season the Falcons’ defense was drilled in consecutive weeks by Kansas City and Denver (in a win), then rebounded.
But there are problems with some of the Falcons’ problems. They’re not going to go away. Pass coverage can improve. But at the end of the day, Jason Webster is still going to be Jason Webster, and Brian Scott may still be just a really good piano player.
Run defense can improve. But when you rank 28th in the NFL (133.5 yards per game) and have allowed three opposing backs more than 100 yards, and the New Orleans Saints (with their Nos. 2 and 3 running backs) rush for 211 yards, it screams that one or two tweaks isn’t going to fix things.
Only four teams — Cleveland, Buffalo, Houston, Minnesota — are worse against the run. None is 4-2. Combined, they’re 6-15.
Young receivers can improve. But Michael Jenkins and Roddy White aren’t turning into Clayton and Duper by Week 10, and the only thing Dez White has given the Falcons is a statistical improbability: He has half as many catches (2) as a backup tight end (Dwayne Blakley has 4).
White has approached Peerless Price status. That is, cutting White may not make the Falcons better. But at least it would prevent the mistake of ever throwing in his direction again.
There’s also the Michael Vick issue. Health is always a concern with a running quarterback, particularly a running quarterback who plays behind a line which too often shows holes in protection. But Vick already has had hamstring and knee injuries, and those are the type of ailments that generally linger. He aggravated the knee Sunday against New Orleans.
Last year, we didn’t know what to expect. We got 11-5 and an NFC title game.
This doesn’t look like 11-5. It certainly doesn’t look like an NFC finalist. Playoff contenders stop the runs and minimize big plays. Playoff contenders can’t afford to rely on late-game heroics by banged-up quarterbacks.
The question isn’t whether the Falcons’ problems will disappear. The question is whether they can overcome the problems that aren’t going away.
At least Mora isn’t deluding himself. Addressing the team in general and the run defense in particular Monday, he said, “No one is trying to brush it under the carpet and say, ‘We got a win. We’re 4-2. The world is great.’ If you aspire to be a team that goes far in the playoffs and bring the trophy back to Atlanta, then you don’t sweep that stuff under the rug.”
Tampa Bay is better than expected. Carolina is good, as expected. New Orleans is still a pain in the butt for this team. So suddenly, splitting division games looks like an accomplishment. Suddenly, road games at Miami, Chicago, and Detroit on Thanksgiving look like a struggle. The New York Jets next Monday? Curtis Martin ran for 148 Sunday.
Mora said of the defense, “We’re off a hair. When you’re off a hair in this league it can look very bad.”
Six weeks in, the hair looks like a woolly mammoth.
Permalink | Comments (82) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
MOST POPULAR STORIES
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Daniel
October 17, 2005 08:37 PM | Link to this
When i looked at the schedule at the start of the season, I thought we might be 3 and 3 at best 1 and 5 at worst. Im happy to be 4 and 2 right now.the falcons have pfoblems, No question about that.What NFL team doesnt, Except the Indy Colts, they look like the real deal to win it all.the falcon defense looked TERRIBLE most of the afternoon. saints passed at will and ran the ball on us like it was a team scrimage,pass rush was non existant. Byron Scott looks completely lost out there, Deangelo hall spent most of the afternoon chasing wide recievers that ran by him. Dez White, Please will someone explain why this guy is still out there?? Michael vick is taking a pounding, and i’ll be real surprised to see him finish the season.The only things we have going for us right now, Is a good running game and special teams. if the defense doesnt show improvement, especially against the run, and our wideout dont improve on catching the ball, and Michael keeps taking those hits, this is going to be a 8 and 8 team, that will extend our record on non back to back winning seasons, been a falcon fan since 1973, i have seen alot of PATHETIC falcon football in those years and have seen some good to very good falcon teams, this team just looks okay right now
By Nicholas Irwin
October 17, 2005 08:53 PM | Link to this
What you seem to be forgetting is that all of these things (with the possible exception of the receivers) have looked really good at one time or another this year. So I don’t see how you can say, they can’t and will not be fixed. I’m not saying we played well against New Orleans, far from it, but this team played like the best team in the NFC in two games and in one half against Seattle. Saying it’s not there and will never be there is ridiculous.
By Sammy Baugh
October 17, 2005 09:06 PM | Link to this
I really like Mora. He dosen’t sugarcoat the fact that the Falcons have underperformed desptite their record. He dosen’t insult the fans’ intelligence. If he’s not doing anything in the offseason, perhaps he could manage the Braves next Spring.
By Big Ben Right
October 17, 2005 09:11 PM | Link to this
Nicholas, you’re exactly right. The defense looked great against the Eagles, in the 2nd half against the Seahawks, against the Bills, and against the Vikings. We’ve had back-to-back rough games, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see great defensive efforts the next few weeks. I’m not about to start worrying yet. We’re alot closer to being 6-0 than we are to being 2-4.
By William Kitchens
October 17, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
We’re alot closer to being 6-0 than we are to being 2-4. (Big Ben Right.
You couldn’t have said it any better.
By domeOFpain
October 17, 2005 10:12 PM | Link to this
Look, we have a “winnable” game in the Dome on MNF and then a byw week. The run defense will work itself out. I do worry about the pass defense.
The bye week will be well appreciated by MV7 and company (Vicks knee, Kerney’s ailments, et al). We do have a good chance of another 11 - 5 season IMO. The key to the season will be the Tampa Bay games, but they lost Greiese for the year I believe. So, let’s see what happens :)
By Mr.Falc
October 17, 2005 10:38 PM | Link to this
All the team needs to do is bench Dez White and things will turn right back around to the way it was when hewas out those two weeks.
The guy misses huge passes each week at the start of the game, destroying chances to start fast and build momentum. He keeps the opponents in the game, and that changes how the defense has to approach the next series.
We rushed better and passed better with the guy inactive. How silly is it to keep playing someone who looks worse than any free agent out there?
As strange and simplistic as it may sound, with competent guys catching the ball like paid professionals, everything else will just fall right into place again.
But will this coaching staff hold players accountable and bench them for mal-performance?
By LARRY
October 17, 2005 11:26 PM | Link to this
EVERY BODY HOLD ON MIKE VICK GOING 2 BE ALRIGHT I THINK HES DONE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH HARD HITS AS IT IS HES ONE TOUGH COOKIE NEEDS TO START MOVING OUT OF THE POCKET A LITTLE MORE THEN U WILL SEE A LOT MORE TEAMS STRUGGLING WITH THE FALCONS OFFENSE HES NOT A POCKET MAN U HAVE TO LET HIM MOVE AROUND IF U EVER NOTICED THATS WHEN HE HAVE HAD HIS BEST GAMES AND WE`VE NEVER LOST WHEN HE DOES THIS. CAN I GET A AMEN
By smoovcc
October 17, 2005 11:57 PM | Link to this
You have a league of parity and you are already to dump the Falcons. Schultz you should stick to writing “Peanuts” comic strips. The Falcons have problems, but they can still win this season. The scariest thing for me is all the rookies and guys fresh off the street. We definitely need to get better on defense and the passing game. Monday night will be a game that emotion and the national spotlight will help guide us to victory. These guys deserve their much needed bye-week. Again you can’t discount New Orleans, they are not a highschool team! They were hungry and desperately needed a victory. Go Falcons!!!
By Great Falconi
October 18, 2005 02:43 AM | Link to this
Remember when Dez White was wide open behind the defender and Vick didn’t get enough air under the pass and forced Dez, a man who has awful hands, to try to dive and catch a ball with his hands? I blame Vick on that one.
Remember the deep throw Vick made to Dez in the end zone and the Saints defender knocked the ball away? I give the defender credit for that one.
I say those two things because that is how I think the Falcons’ coaches view those two plays. The sad thing is that they’re correct…and delusional. Dez has dropped many easy passes, but he also seems to be the guy they go to when they have the chance to hit a big play that screams out for a guy with good hands to be on his end of the pass. How many times has he caught one of those passes? I can’t name one.
On the other hand, Brian Finneran has made a few, but he was strangely absent from the gameplan against the Saints. Some idiot on one of these blogs claimed that Dez White is a better receiver than Finneran and that is why Dez starts. I guess I grade receivers differently. I tend to take off a letter grade or three when a guy can’t catch a ball with his hands. Then again, maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
By dirrtybird
October 18, 2005 03:43 AM | Link to this
Dez white does suck, but we’re a running team. The real problem is Jason Webster. This guy is awful in coverage. I mean AWFUL. Play after play, opposing teams just throw his way for an automatic first down. We could bring a safety over to help but Bryan Scott is no better. Our secondary is struggling and if I were playing the falcons, I’d throw the ball towards Jason Webster 3 out of 4 plays.
By Dan in Augusta
October 18, 2005 04:49 AM | Link to this
Big Ben & William,
A lot closer to 6-0 than 2-4??? Which games were you watching and what were you drinking?? There was no domination, they won some on sheer luck. Sunday was a prime example. The stats say they should have lost.
By Steve
October 18, 2005 07:46 AM | Link to this
Our receivers could use a coach that teaches them to use their hands to catch the ball. Is there a good “hands” coach out there? Maybe Jerry Rice? We need somebody to teach these guys how to catch the ball! Algea has great hands and great technique. He also has the most catches. Dez had several hit him in the hands and he had no completions. Zero.
By lawdog85
October 18, 2005 07:59 AM | Link to this
Falconi! what do mean Vick didn’t put enough air on the pass that he threw? Man! Dez just missed judged the pass! I really don’t understand you guys, even the gentlemen calling the game stated that Vick threw the ball perfectly. the receiver just didn’t come up with the catch! Every team in the NFL receivers, adjust to the quarterback throws even if their not good, difficult, hard, underthrown, multiple defenders on them, etc…. We have one that’s capable, and that’s Crump!!!! a lineman that’s allowed to releast off the line of scrimage and catch passes!
By longstreet
October 18, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this
Dez is a dud. Bring on Finn.
By RED FOREMAN
October 18, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this
ONCE AGAIN SCHULTZ,YOU ARE A DUMBASS…
WE ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
By C. Diddy
October 18, 2005 09:09 AM | Link to this
One man is the solution to the Falcon’s problem… T.J. Duckett.
By Larry
October 18, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
Here’s an idea!
Let’s find a quarterback who uses his mind and doesn’t rely on his legs, hiar, earrings, and tatoos to look good, and as an added bonus can speak in sentences!
What do you think?
By Randy
October 18, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
Ohh Great Falconi, what else do you see in the future?? You are sooooo on the money. Tell them Longstreet, how long do we sit the good hands people like Finn? Go Algie, you are a true professional. Where is Fred Biletnikoff when we need him? (Rest home in Oakland maybe?)
By tc
October 18, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
STATS ARE FOR LOSERS! THE ONLY STATS THAT ARE IMPORTENT ARE WINS AND LOSES. 4 WINS 2 LOSES.
By Randy
October 18, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this
But, but, but, Larry, Image IS everything.
By Gritz Blitz
October 18, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this
The loss of Hartwell and Cash really hurts. Losing these players highlights the weaknesses of Webster and Scott. D Hall is our best cover guy but he is trying to do too much in making up for the innefectiveness of the others. I really hope that Mora finds a way to plug the holes before we play Carolina or Tampa. Someone mentioned Griese being out for TB, but did anyone see how well his replacement played? He basically put the game out of reach in the 2nd half against Miami. We will likely end the season 9-7 or 10-6. My biggest concern is how competitive we will be in the playoffs. We always have a chance with Vick.
By E-Rud
October 18, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this
As falcons fans we can weather the storm this year but be truthful to yourself the team as major problems all over. As a NFL team, we can not do the basic to be a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM because the secondary (Webster, Carpenter, Scott, Hall) can’t cover or tackle,not physical, to small,confused, Linebacker can’t tackle or cover can’t fill holes, to small. Defensive Lineman, undersized, not enough speed on the corners. Offense (receivers) no speed, confused, need a proven veteran who can also teach Michael,one small receiver that is quick and fast, (Running back) we need a all around back to help Dunn due to Duckett can not do but one thing period.(Lineman) need to world movers and two train stoppers. The offense need to be open up more just like the one for INDY last night which I enjoyed watching, which everyone was used by Manning. He also demanded control of the offense.
By Dawgssuck
October 18, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this
The Falcons shouldnt have won the game….but they did. The biggest problem seems to be they got worse from playing NE to New Orleans, and in less than a week, its national spotlight time. Heres a quick plan….stack the line against the Jets and blitz like crazy. Vinny might be able to hold his own until halftime, but sack him 6 or seven times and he is out. Control the clock and wear them down. Sorry coach, and i am a die hard Tech fan, but you gotta bench Dez. Utilize Dunn, Crumpler, and Finneran. Hey, here is a thought, line up Dunn and Vick in the backfield and have Schaub under center for a few plays…that will scare the Jets silly, two QBs and two RBs between three players. After the Jets you have the bye week, work on the defense and lock Vick and the WR’s in the dome with the coaches until they get thier throws, catches, and routes down pat. If Indy came in right now, we would get CREAMED. Tampa just became one-dimensional because Griese is out. Carolina is good, but not great and we can beat them if we play like we should. New Orleans has to come here next time, and boy are they ticked at us. The hole in the ship is definitely fixable, but can it be fixed in time? Schultz….be nicer and have a little optimism. Go Falcons!!! ps….dawgs suck.
By E-Rud
October 18, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this
I think your right Larry , I think Michael is worried more about his looks instead of trying to learn and lead the offense. I also think he might have a learning problems because the offense looks really basic when he is in control and he can not read defenses well so he always rely on his on ability when nothing else works which cause the entrie offense to play and look confused. This will all come out once someone get mad and reveal it to the media later.
By cp
October 18, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this
Some of you make it seem as if Vick is on the field checking his hair . Some of these insults are ridiculous. Vick knows he is not very accurate he said it himself. What would help if we had some recievers who held onto the ball from time to time.I watched Vick in the pro bowl and i know it wasnt a real game but he had no problem getting the ball to recievers like Holt and Horn.The problem isn’t Vick its the defense. We could have Joe Montana back there and lose with the way this d is playing.
By Casual Cal
October 18, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this
The Falcons are 6 points away from being 6-0, they will be fine. We will win all the rest of the games we have in the Georgia Dome which is becoming one of the loudest if not the loudest arena in the NFL. We will win at least 3 out of the next 5 road games so 11-5 or 12-4 will be our record. Bank on it. Dez White is okay, the defense will get it together and the band will play on. Period.
By Randy
October 18, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this
CP, the defense ONLY plays defense, that wouldn’t help Vick be more accurate help him read other defenses, OR develop the QB instinct he NEEDS to throw FIRST, run only for safety as a last resort.
By Don
October 18, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this
Larry and E-Rud:
You guys are unbelievable!! The problem that “my” team is having is not just the qb’s problem. Our defense sucks. It’s amazing to me how we have a winning record but people like you two never give Mike any credit. If you don’t like him go find another team but most of us are happy with what he has done for the falcons.
You probably want Schaub to start but it’s funny how we lost that game. I want the one who wins.
By Chris
October 18, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
I agree with a lot of you people, Finn should be starting over Dez. Vick seems to find Finn when Finn is playing. During Vicks first full season as a starter Finn was his favorite target and I think he was the leading reciever on the team. But its also funny that just a year ago everyone hated Finn because it seemed like he couldnt catch a cold but now hes the best thing since sliced bread. I can remember when Finn use to drop those same passes that Dez drops in games.
Im not even going to waste my time responding to you people that believes that Vick is more worried about his looks than learning the offense, you people make me sick.
By Chris
October 18, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this
I agree with you Don. Im happy with Vick. He wins! What else do you people want? Unlike some of you people ive been a Falcons fan for a while, and I dont want to go back to the days before Vick(except 98). It was hard being a Falcons fan in Atlanta for a while, having season tickets and the Falcons were going 3 and 13. Im talking about the days when the Falcons only sold out the Saints games and on the other sundays you had to listen to them on the radio. So you people that like to rag on Vick about his stats and him only wanting to run should just watch someone else, but ill take the winning QB.
By Katrina
October 18, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this
Some of you guys need to stop, seriously. Saying Vick has a learning problem is rather idiotic and quite stereotypical for “some� fans to say. For those of you criticizing, let’s put you out there, let you learn a playbook, and then see how successful you’d be. Give me a break, Steve Young (a great running quarterback in his own right) even said that it takes time to learn this offense. And before the Schaub debate start, let me say that yes he’s a good passer, but right now he doesn’t have that umph that gets us over the hump to win games. He gets us there or keeps us in, but doesn’t push us over. Vick pushes an already good team over…he’s our extra something. That’s why we win when he plays.
To the discussion at hand, yeah we need some work particularly in the secondary and with the receivers. I’m not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. We’re a good team and yeah we really are a lot closer to 6-0 than we are 2-4, but we do need to tighten up on defense before we start on the games after the bye. Maybe Steve was right when he said that maybe we need a better receiver’s coach. One that’s gonna teach these guys how to make NFL plays…toughen them up and get them outta that college mind. These guys are obviously talented or else they wouldn’t be in the NFL, we need someone to help bring out that talent. Anybody have Jerry Rice on speed dial?
By Swiftie
October 18, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this
Are we ready to admit that our #1 draft pick is a total bust yet? Or is someone going to tell me that “it takes time for receivers to learn routes” I remember in training camp, Mora saying constantly that, ” we have to get the ball into this guy’s hands somehow”. He seems invisible to me. I saw him make one catch last week. What is the real story here?
By Nicholas Irwin
October 18, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this
The defensive line doesn’t have enough speed??? Some of you people are complete idiots. You haven’t the first clue about football, you just thought you’d come on and complain. Did you see our defensive line in every game this season up until the New Orleans game? I guess not, because the only way you could ever come up with the conclusion that our defensive line doesn’t have enough speed is if the Saints game was the first game you watched us play in the last two years.
And I’m through with you Vick bashers. If you wanna continue thinking Matt freaking Schaub would have this team where it needs to be, there’s no hope for you anyway.
Sheesh…this is turning into the Braves blog. One bad game which we wind up winning (in case some of you didn’t know) and everyone all of a sudden needs to be benched or fired. Get a freaking grip!!!
By bfred
October 18, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this
Reading all of this, it’s hard to believe that just a couple of years ago everyone was calling for the Falcons to dump “no-hands” Finneran. Has he gotten that much better, or are the rest of our receivers just that worthless? Have to admit I like the 6’5” target out there - surely Vick could throw him a few more jump balls every week like they used on the 2-pt conversion against NE. Finally, despite the problems the team is finding ways to win - as opposed to previous Falcons teams that regularly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. If they can fix half of their issues this could be a 12-4 team.
By dannycardwell
October 18, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this
i wonder how many miss cole magner now. aside from crumpler, finn, and dunn, he was the only one of the young guys that could actually catch the ball.
By FalconDude
October 18, 2005 01:01 PM | Link to this
Until Michael Vick learns how to throw for a minimum 200 yards per game, and until the receivers learn how to catch his passes consistently, and until we have at least one receiver who can get 60 yards downfield faster than anyone on the opposing defense, the Falcons will never be a serious Super Bowl contender on a consistent basis. They are one cornerback, 2 defensive linemen, 2 offensive tackles and one major speedster receiver away from being one of the great teams of all time.
I can’t figure out why the receivers drop so many of Vick’s passes. When Shaub played, they held on to the passes and he got 298 yards against NE.
I love the Falcons, have followed them since their first game. Have agonized in their worst years (are you listening Dan Henning?). But we are SO close! This season has the potential to hurt the most because we ARE so close.
I hope I am wrong. I hope we are 11-5 or 12-4 and make it to The Bowl. GOOO Birds!!!!!
By FalconDude
October 18, 2005 01:10 PM | Link to this
One other comment to make:
Has anyone noticed that with Michael Vick, the Falcons win? Without Michael Vick, the Falcons lose? Matt Schaub is an outstanding QB, but the Falcons still lost. Vick gives the team something intangible, not quantifiable in yards, points or other statistics. Like I said, if he can figure out how to throw consistently for 200 yards or more, the offense can become one of the all time great ones when factoring in what is already becoming one of the alltime great rushing attacks.
That said though, everything else I said I stick with. We need receivers who will CONSISTENTLY catch the ball. We need at least one incredible speedster to stretch out one side of the field. We need two middle offensive lineman who can provide pocket protection up the middle. We need two more defensive lineman the caliber of Kearney and Coleman.
We have the rest of the weapons to win and win big. Once again….
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BIRDS!!!!
By knowledge1980
October 18, 2005 01:13 PM | Link to this
Vick is ok..ie First and Last drive of the game!
Offensive line needs to add fat if you all want Vick to stay in the pocket. Give Peyton that line and he dies!
Secondary and LB’s can’t play man to man. We need a big play linebacker and safety and everythings fixed there. (Keith is too slow for pass coverage, Demario is too small for stopping the run and Michael is too inexperienced)
Dunn and Special teams deserve a cookie and a metal.
By L. T.
October 18, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this
Last week I simply ask that keith brooking not play the middle by far the weakiest link in this defense at best he is a second to third tier linebacker. I have watched every game for the past three years an I have never seen him make a game changing play to his LEFTSIDE OH UP THE MIDDLE constantly plays downhill (not uphill) constantly or intentionally over runs plays and gets credit for the tackle, instinctively moves to the wrong side of the ball movement. Boley, Made more plays in one game then I’ve seen Keith Brooking make the whole year, Your weakiest Link. Why does he play the entire game Dan Reeves, made the same Mistake.
By FalconDude
October 18, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm….Keith Brooking the “weak link”. Odd, how he makes the Pro Bowl despite being such a lousy linebacker. Wonder whats up with that, L.T.? I would appreciate a wonderfully lucid and insightful comment on PRO BOWL SELECTIONS 3 years running??!!
By knowledge1980
October 18, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this
Brooking is a good run stopping LB outside LB. No one can make the case that he’s effective at middle linebacker or even pass coverage. Everyone wants to jump on the corners and safeties about pass coverage. Remember, LB’s are suppose to cover also. Something the Falcon’s LB’s (especially Brooking) need to do well.
By Rob D
October 18, 2005 01:51 PM | Link to this
Everybody that thinks that since Vick runs alot more than he throws, should not even be reading the paper online. The world evolves and changes, including the game of football, the kid is successful at what he does. If u want Peyton go to Indy, you want Brady go to New England, get the hell away from the ATL. Brady, the Manning’s, all the Qb’s that you guys love had to learn to pass and be perfect because they couldn’t run or do anything else so to be successful they had to focus on that. Vick on the other hand has been playing freestyle his whole career high school to college. He now is learning to be a patient QB, and be the passer you people want. Everybody wants to be an expert, why dont you try sitting back and enjoying the talent this kid has been blessed with. He is what he is, if u dont like it the Falcons are not the team you want to cheer for.
By Randy
October 18, 2005 02:01 PM | Link to this
Nasty Rob, Nasty. I have been a Falcons fan since their FIRST day in Atlanta. (Bob Berry, Bob Lee, Bartkowski, etc. etc. etc. Yes Michael IS a GREAT scrambler and runner. I rue the days I watched The Golden Pole STAND there and get smashed and I ASKED, no BEGGED for someone that could move. Why should Old fans, like myself have to move to Indy or NE??? Why can’t Peyton come here. (I begged for that, too) Is it asking too much for Michael to be the best passer, thinker, runner on Earth? We’ve waited long enough.
By tc
October 18, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this
SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE UNREAL. STOP COMPLAINING AND JUST ENJOY YOUR SUPERBOWL SEASON. GO ATL FALCONS !!!!!
By Randy
October 18, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this
PS, as much as he makes, can he be invulnerable, wear a cape and fly???
By Johnny C.
October 18, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this
There’s nothing magic about passing for 200 yds; Superbowl games have been won with a team only passing for 80+ yds, but utilizing an extremely strong running game and solid defense. One thing that needs to happen is for Knapp to get a lot more creative (a lot less conservative) in his play calling. Teams know that to stop Vick you have to blitz him constantly, but we used to destroy a blitz with swing passes and screens. I haven’t seen the Falcons run a screen this year. In addition, we used to like to wear those big defensive linemen out early in the game by running reverses and end-arounds. Last person I saw run an end-around was Price (last year). You have a lot of speed in Roddy White, so why not use it. If he doesn’t catch the ball, see if he can take a hand-off on an end-around. I would love to see just one tight-end screen with Alge, because that would be a DB’s nightmare to see him coming at them with a full head of steam; same with Duckett. I don’t think the Falcons Off. Coord. is using the talent that he has to the max. You have to keep a defense guessing and on their heels sometimes, and I bet that will slow the hell out of that pass rush. Burn them a few times when they blitz, and that safety will get his a$$ out of that box. Mix it up, man; hell, I can tell which play is coming on just about every down.
By falcon guy
October 18, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this
Your conclusions omit the key factor: Vick has never had a .500 or worse record as a starter. So where this 8-8 stuff comes from is beyond me. The 2 losses: one Vick didn’t play at all and one he was injured during the final two drives of the game. Had he been healthy, who’s to say those games don’t end up W’s for Atlanta? Could he get hurt worse and the season turn out worse than expected? Sure. But the same thing can be said for any other NFL team. If Peyton goes down, do the Colts go to the playoffs? If Brady get hurt, do the Patriots repeat? If Vick starts, the Falcons will win at least 6 of 10 games the rest of the way. That would be 10-6, a record that makes the playoffs every year. This team will improve.
By L. T.
October 18, 2005 02:42 PM | Link to this
FalconDude just because he has made the pro-bowl does not make him the player everyone thinks he is. For years I have been Dumbfounder on the amount of tackles he makes not because he made initial contact/are he’s at the bottom of the pile because his jersey is recognizable(arriving late as usual) how he gets the call from the announcers, and he gets more free tackles then anyone in the league. He is posted with 49 tackles 36 solos can you honestly say that this total is accurate then D. Williams must have 60plus everygame is name has been called multiple times and there were games Brooking was know where to be found this year
By smoovcc
October 18, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this
Everybody wants Vick to having passing yards like every other conventional QB in the league. Have you ever noticed that Mark Bulger, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer, DAVID CARR, and the likes are never asked to run more and be more elusive. But the owner of the Cowboys felt that Quincy Carter could have run for more yards, Kordell Stewart was expected to make plays with his legs, even Steve McNair should take the open running lanes, and poor Culpepper isn’t himself because he isn’t running as much. The only thing I can get out of all of this is: Maximize your God-given talents while you can in this game! The window of opportunity is small. No need to try to fit in when what you have is working and most importantly, winning.
By Larry
October 18, 2005 03:07 PM | Link to this
Here’s another idea:
Vick should get even larger earrings, add some dread-locks, and point to his bicep before the second half kick-off like he does on each game-opening kick-offs. This, coupled with a playbook condensed to the size of a “post-it” stick-on paper, should enhance his comfort level in the pro passing game he has made no improvement in for 5 NFL seasons now.
The real key will be the larger earrings! I mean there’s something that makes me want to go outside to my backyard and throw the long bomb when I see an NFL quarterback with really, really big earrings!
What do you think?
By Great Falconi
October 18, 2005 03:11 PM | Link to this
In last week’s Sports Illustrated, they published the results of a poll of 357 NFL players asking, “Who is the NFL’s most overrated QB?” Vick was the most overrated quarterback, according to the poll. Some Falcon fans may wonder how that’s possible. Well, it’s because Vick isn’t very adept at beating defenses with his arm. Now, I know Vick wins. He’s done a great job of that so far in his career, but those other players see/read/hear all the hype surrounding “Number 7” and correctly question his status as a great quarterback. You have to be able to throw the ball well to be respected as a quarterback. Vick is probably one of the greatest broken-field runners the NFL will ever see, but it doesn’t make him a great quarterback.
When I try to analyze Vick, I think one of the things that causes people to dislike him is his contract. If you take a look at Vick’s huge contract and really think about it, he isn’t an overpaid player because of the merchandise and ticket sales he brings for the team and the league. If he is judged solely on his ability as a quarterback, he is vastly overpaid. The good thing for us as fans is that the Falcons are winning games with a below-average passer who will get better. I personally have no doubts that Vick will become a great quarterback in this league. I know he’s a competitive guy (injuries or not) who wants to win it all. In the end, more than sizzling speed or video game moves, it is the heart of a player that makes him a great one. Vick has the heart and the will to succeed. I’ll take that anytime.
By Randy
October 18, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this
I agree Larry, and WELL SAID Falconi!! As I have said many times, I am not Vick’s biggest fan, but MAN, do I wish I had his talent. I want the Falcons to win even if The Fridge Perry has to QB. I do want Michael to improve his QB mindset though.
By ATLien4Life
October 18, 2005 04:05 PM | Link to this
Look, I agree we have some holes. They are undeniable and they are important. But in this league, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about making the plays that need to be made when they need to be made. Does anyone realize that we’ve lost two games by a total of 6 points??? 6 points away from being 6-0.
Our “porous” defense is the reason we won on Sunday. Anytime you can take a a game against a hated rival that knows you well, you take it and work on the next. This conference is wide open, and I don’t see any reason we can’t make it to the super bowl. Our problems are manageable, and I honestly believe that as long as our guys give 100% effort every week, we’ll have a chance.
By Allen
October 18, 2005 04:26 PM | Link to this
Usually, I just read the blogs and laugh at the ignorant experts complain about #7, but enough is enough. Let me give you all a few simple facts that you may or may not know. #7 - 1st season as a starter(2002), went through an 8 game stretch w/o an interception- record 9-7-1.. 3 missed(Feely) FGs from being 12-5. Playoff berth, led team into GB and won in GB(unheard of). 2nd full season as a starter(2004), in a new offense 11-5 NFC South champs,and finished 1 game away from being in the Superbowl. So far in his career he has at least 13 2 min drill drives that led to scores. Point is the guy wins simple and plain. Don’t worry about his passing yards it is an overrated stat. Passing yards never got Dan Marino a Super Bowl.
By Jerome Padgett
October 18, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this
Looks like we need to get another writer to cover the Falcons. Are you a fan or just a critic? Did you expect them to be perfect? You must be from Philly because you sure do sound bitter.
By knowledge1980
October 18, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this
I love it when people complain about passing yards when the team is winning. Vick Haters: Come up with a real reason to hate Vick. Larry hates him b/c of his big earrings. That’s legitimate.
By Jerome Padgett
October 18, 2005 04:39 PM | Link to this
Oh and I forgot, Larry is an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Simian
October 18, 2005 04:50 PM | Link to this
Vick is clearly the most overrated athlete in all of sports. He is the most talented quarterback in the league, but maybe the 18th best. Face the truth. Sorry to be politically incorrect. I believe I spelled all the words correctly, as opposed to all others here.
By Dan in Augusta
October 18, 2005 05:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Rob D, Sure Vick is a different and very exciting player, but because he plays like he does, he is going to get CREAMED one game. He doesn’t have the build to take the “hits” and will eventually get seriously hurt. I don’t hate Vick, just face the facts about his style of play. We all enjoy the excitement, but at what cost???
Hey TC, W’s and L’s are part of the stats. If you follow the game with your brain instead of your gut, you would understand what I am referring to.
By James n Austell
October 18, 2005 08:46 PM | Link to this
I usally just read the blog but felt the need to chime in. Lets get back to the point. Right now the defense is playing VERY poorly. Can they fix it? I don’t know…I hope so, but they don’t look like they can stop anybody. We HAVE to stop the run! Until then, we are just kidding ourselves if we think we are going to the playoffs..Playoffs! Playoffs! Lets just stop the run….
By Monroe Hawg
October 18, 2005 09:58 PM | Link to this
Someone please explain to me why Webster is still on the roster?
By larry w.
October 18, 2005 10:17 PM | Link to this
I for one am not about to start doubting our team’s ability to go far into the playoffs. Good teams sometimes have bad games. The Eagles looked terrible against the Cowboys, but does anyone really believe that the Eagles are not a team capable of going deep into the playoffs? Does anyone believe that the Cowboys will dominate when they play in Philly? All I’m saying is, it’s not time to start pushing the panic button. The problems that I have seen on defense and offense are correctable. Some of those problems do require personnel changes in my opinion, and some can be fixed with adjustments in scheming. Let’s also keep in mind that no matter what the record of the two teams, the Falcons and Saints games are more times than not wars that go down to the last possession of the game. Do not expect any of the divisional games to be easy. They will all be tough. The important thing is we won this one!
By William Kitchens
October 18, 2005 10:40 PM | Link to this
Defense Problems? TOP
Atlanta 26:34 NO 33:26 Atlanta 27:35 NE 33:25 Atlanta 32:37 MN 27:23 Atlanta 29:11 BF 30:29 Atlanta 23:25 SE 36:35 Atlanta 33:51 PI 26:09
The four games our Defense looked bad in (bolded) the offense didn’t control the clock.
Just something to think about.
By danny cardwell
October 19, 2005 01:00 AM | Link to this
just for the record. the fussing about vickwinning most of his starts and schaub not, vick only won 2 games the last year and a half. the defense won the rest along with the special teams. the fault dont lie with vick as much as receivers that cant catch, poor play calling by knapp and mike still evolving mentally. we are blessed to have both. they will compliment each other over the next 2 years.
By cp
October 19, 2005 01:37 AM | Link to this
People act as if the falcons are 0-6. They will be in the playoffs. Like some people stated earlier,if Knapp realizes he can call more than the same 10 plays each game then maybe the offense will look better. I also see why Green Bay sent Donatello packing but at the same time the players need to make plays.
By cp
October 19, 2005 01:48 AM | Link to this
I just realized i spelled the defensive coordinators name wrong but with the plays he is calling it doesnt even matter.
By kent
October 19, 2005 01:53 AM | Link to this
i agree with most of the points that the people wrote here. vick is a bad quarterback, vick is a winner, vick is super man who has a learning disability,etc, etc. but this is not about micheal vick. this is about team. and this team is in trouble right now. this team was great agaisnt the eagle and bad agaisnt every one else since then. we won 3 game on a vareity of lucks. we beat the bills which was without their starting qb, we beat the saints with the help of their qb and the refs, we beat the viking team that did not show up at all. i was keeping track of the falcon/sea hawk game on yahoo game tracker and notice that in the stretch of 3 offensive series, the falcon ran to the right almost all the times. this kind of offensive game plan ineptiveness have got to stop. i blam almost all of the falcon’s blue on the guys calling the game. you cannot have game plan that is so predictable right down to where the ball will be ran and how it will be ran who, will carry it and when. one writter made an observation that i find very good. WHERE IS THE SCREEN PASS? WHERE ARE THE TRICK PLAY? WHERE ARE THE FLEA FLICKER?
By Larry
October 19, 2005 06:31 AM | Link to this
Question please.
Should one conclude that a guy named “Jerome” likes big earrings too?
I’m probably wrong but the possibility simply entered my mind.
What do you think?
By Jerome Padgett
October 19, 2005 10:34 AM | Link to this
What a racist moron!!!! I spell my name Jerome but it is pronounced Jeremy. By the way, I am white but I have no problem with earings. Maybe you should stop being ignorant and grow up.
By cp
October 19, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this
Sorry but we beat the Bills with their starting qb.At the end of the day its about the WIN but i guess stats matter more to some fans.
By Johnny C.
October 19, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this
Is the earring guy jealous or what? You folks who have ever played the game should be ashamed: Vick does not win games; the Defense does not win games; nor do the Special Teams win games. THE TEAM WINS/LOSES ballgames. This is not golf, but a TEAM sport, and whether on offense or defense, all 11 guys have to execute their assignments in order for the engine to go. One person can miss an assignment and the whole play blows up. A person sounds pretty ignorant when they point to an individual in a team sport and say that individual won/loss the game. Finally, maybe I missed something, but when I watch a football game, I’m not noticing EARRINGS. My wife might though, because that’s something that women do.
By Jerome Padgett
October 19, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with Johnny C. Who notices earrings on a player? It sounds like Larry has some major issues with his masculinity.
By Ron Roberts
October 19, 2005 07:48 PM | Link to this
Earrings? We’re talking about EARRINGS??!?!?!
I don’t care if Vick wears PANTYHOSE, for God’s sake…
I’d just like to see my FIFTH-YEAR NFL QB rely on his arm as much to win a game as he does his (increasingly fragile) legs, at this stage of his career.
I’m not a Vick-hater; in fact, I’ve been waiting (and waiting and waiting) on his passing game to compliment his running game for a coupla years, now. I’ll give some blame to the WRs (read: Dropz White), but a pocket QB (Matt Shaub) seemed to run the offense nearly flawlessly a week prior.
Not having Vick against New England isn’t what rung up all those points against us and cost us the game. Our defense is BANGED UP, big-time. Losing Hartwell MAY well have cost us the Super Bowl, this year. I hope not, but where he didn’t show up on the stats’ sheet, he certainly showed up in stuffing the run. Lest we forget how thin we were, too, in our secondary against Buffalo. Tom Brady and Aaron Brooks (Aaron FREAKING Brooks!!!) tore through our secondary.
I “get” where Jeff Schultz is coming from. Our front-line roster is Bowl-worthy; but we’ve lost a good bit of that on “D,” in particular, and from the waist down with Vick on offense.
I think that gets us (maybe) as far as we went, last year. My ‘chic’ pick (last Sunday notwithstanding) is the N.Y. Giants out of the NFC and San Diego or Indianapolis outta the AFC.
I hope I’m wrong about the NFC side. ;-) GO FALCONS!
By Scott
October 19, 2005 08:04 PM | Link to this
Vick will never improve his passing skills further than he has in the past 5 years. He is what he is.
The wide receivers need some time, but it will not help with Vick tossing his bullets at them.
When can we get Vince Young.
Trade Vick for him immediately.
Trouble is no one would take Vick. I would take a first round, 2nd round and a third round and get Vick on the first Amtrack to Detroit. He would fit in real good up there.
By TR
October 19, 2005 10:54 PM | Link to this
The problem as I see it first begins with our coaching staff. We don’t seem to have coaches that teach our players the fundamentals. Vick wasn’t a passing QB in college and I would go out on a limb to say that Beamer and staff never taught him proper passing techniques. Then he comes to the Falcons and Reeves simply lets Vick run as much as he wanted to—still no one teaching him proper feet placement and throwing technique. And on top of it all Vick has some guy supposedly working with him as a QB coach (was with Reeves and now with Mora); but has Vick’s passing improved that much? And…why let Schaub pass like 60-70% and bring Vick in running? The only way to get him experience throwing the ball is to let him pass more—and have receivers who catch the ball. The coaching staff once again, doesn’t put the team in a position to win…starting Dez over Finn…go figure. Now for our dismal secondary…Scott is running around like a chicken with its head cut off; Hall is simply making rookie type mistakes (trailing the receiver because his focus is always elsewhere…can you say A.D.D.?); Carpenter is on his last leg as a safety in the NFL; and Mora didn’t help this team bringing Webster here because he hasn’t done anything except stay injured and keep getting torched by the other teams’ receivers. We have to take this team back to fundamental football…catch the ball with your hands away from your body and keep your body between the ball and the defender receivers, everyone on the defense DLs, LBs and DBs wrap the guy up and tackle (please stop with the arm tackling and swiping at the ball first; instead of tackling first and stripping second). I don’t understand how we can get so motivated for Philly and play everyone else like we’ll do enough to get by. This team is still a work in progress. Mora needs to take a good look at his coaching staff and at the players he has, because they all are to blame.
By Larry
October 20, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this
Simple question:
Regardless of the “new system” and “injury” excuses, can you honestly say that Michael Vick is a better passing quarterback in 2005 than he was in 2001?
We all know he is elusive and can run like a deer, but I say he’s hasn’t improved a bit as a balanced QB and a super bowl caliber QB needs to show SOME improvement in the passing game after 5 NFL seasons.
Think about it!
Perhaps Michael, like Jerome, has an aptitude problem and is a little too concerned with their looks.
The larger the earrings, the smaller the mind!
By Johnny C.
October 20, 2005 12:05 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Michael’s small mind can, at least, get him to the bank okay.
By Traceman
October 21, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this
It is amazing to me that Vick can be 27-13-1 as a starting QB for this team and there are many so-called Falcons “fans” here who would prefer that we have another QB. Unbelievable! With the history of this franchise as perennial losers, how can that be? We have NEVER had back to back winning seasons in the HISTORY of the franchise and many want to knock the winningest QB in franchise history BY FAR because he doesn’t fit their ideal definition of a QB. While I certainly look forward to watching Vick improve as a passer (and he DOES need to improve), I’ll GLADLY take watching the most exciting player in the NFL WIN week after week as he develops that part of his game.
By Jerome Padgett
October 21, 2005 05:29 PM | Link to this
I think Larry likes to take it up the pooper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By NoLovE4dACroOk
October 21, 2005 11:55 PM | Link to this
Im tired of the menstral pain being felt around here.Pamprin free
By chris
October 24, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Larry,what about a guy who can spell hair?