AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > August > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons excel in half that counts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Nashville — There ought to be a law: In any exhibition involving Michael Vick and Vince Young, the two quarterbacks must be required to play in the same half. That Vick was done long before Young got his chance in Saturday night’s exhibition means that Jeff Fisher, the coach who chose to let the legendary Billy Volek work the entire first half, should be fired.
Soon enough, Fisher might well be. His Tennessee Titans might not win five games. The Atlanta Falcons, who won 20-6, should win twice that many.
Yes, the Falcons. Yes, the same guys who stunk up Lambeau Field last weekend to the extent that their coach was left frothing. (Then again, it doesn’t take much to make Jim Mora throw a fit.) They answered that listless performance with a rather rousing one, making a bad team look really bad and making T.J. Duckett seem a distant memory.
Two runs by Jerious Norwood were the talking points of the Falcons’ most comprehensive half of the preseason, and given that the first half of the third exhibition tends to be the one most teams take most seriously, the rookie picked his spot nicely. He scored the game’s first touchdown on a 62-yard cutback, a play on which Duckett — dispatched to D.C. during the week — might have gotten one-tenth as much yardage.
About third exhibitions in general, Mora said: “It’s the first one where you do any game-planning, where you simulate your [regular-season] work week. It’s the one where you play your starters the most.” And then, about this game specifically: “You’d like to put on a good show, and, for the most part, I think we did.”
Back to Norwood. He galvanized the Falcons’ second touchdown drive with a breathtaking — the adjective is apt — fourth-down burst to the Tennessee 1. Hit in the backfield, he put his hand on the turf and kept his knees above it and flung himself forward for 5 of the most heartening yards this franchise has ever known. Then Vick stood in against a big rush and found Michael Jenkins for the touchdown that made it 17-3 and ended Vick’s participation.
Rule of thumb: The only score that matters in the exhibition season is the score when the first starting quarterback gets pulled, and a two-touchdown spread on the road is good enough to satisfy most every criterion. The defense, pliant against New England and Green Bay, held Tennessee to 83 yards on its first six possessions. Alge Crumpler saw his first (and probably last) action of the preseason and looked like his old self. Vick didn’t shoot out the lights with his passing but didn’t get hurt, either, and in the grand scheme that’s all that matters.
The point being: You can’t win the Super Bowl in August, but you can lose it. The Falcons have made it through three exhibitions without a significant injury, save Brian Finneran, whose knee injury in two-a-days seems to have been offset by the addition of Ashley Lelie, who arrived in the Duckett deal but didn’t play here. If you liked this team going into camp, you have to like it now.
I did, and I do. I have by now resigned myself to believing that no combination of Vick and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will ever produce a seamless and sustained offense, but I continue to believe Vick will make enough plays to keep his team moving. And the defense, whose subs were overrun by Green Bay, will be fine. Those subs won’t be playing all at once come September. And John Abraham, who is absolutely big-time, will be playing every snap.
If anything, the Falcons have actually gotten better this past fortnight. They’ve identified deficiencies and moved to rectify them. (Hello, Lelie. Hello, Grady Jackson.) If you liked this team in July, you should like it even more now.
I did, and I do. But you know someone I don’t like? Fisher. Holding Young until the second half when everybody in the world wants a little head-to-head between the two most dynamic quarterbacks of their generation? Give me a break.
Permalink | Comments (52) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
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By BirdDawg
August 27, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this
I’m with you on one point, Bradly (besides the genius of bring in Gravy Jackson to shore up the line)
Greg Knapp sucks, and should have been fired last year. He’s the single worst offensive playcaller in the NFL. He’s the worst OC, bar none.
But thank God for Vick and his ability to turn a crappy Knapp playcall into something.
And thank God for Norwood, who plays biggers than Duckett ever did. If that was Duckett, he’d have been down behind the line, and we all know it.
And here’s the line on Duckett this evening:
4 carries, 8 yards.
Looks like Atlanta sports has one GM who knows how to do his job properly.
By Brian
August 27, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this
T.J. who?
By SoCalDawg
August 27, 2006 02:04 AM | Link to this
Can the AJC throw us Dawg fans just one bone? This makes 2 weeks straight that the AJC coverage fails to make a single mention of Shockley’s attempt to make the team. There’s thousands of dawg fans whose interest in the Falcons is higher than ever because of their love for Shockley. And the AJC gives us nothing. I know it’s not the biggest story of the Falcon’s preseason, but there’s alot of who are really interested.
I heard on a message board that DJ played the whole 4th quarter and Randall didn’t play at all. Don’t know if that’s true or not because our good ole home town paper couldn’t cover a turd with a roll of toilet paper. If it IS true, that should be significant. A reporter with a correspondence school education would ask the coach about that and we’d hear about it.
Of course, given the hack UGA beat reporter (Carter - fess up, are you out of high school yet?) I don’t know why i’d even hope that the AJC would care about this.
By Jeff
August 27, 2006 02:43 AM | Link to this
Mark, great call on Knapp. He’s clueless when it comes to utilizing Mike Vick’s strengths.
By agent smith
August 27, 2006 03:00 AM | Link to this
Why would Tenn run Vince Young with the starters in the first half just so you and the fans can see it…….he is not the starter and won’t be when they open the season and they hope he won’t be come midseason or even late in the season if you listen to their headcoach/g.m. etc.
The goal for the teams insn’t to give the fans a good show in a meaningless game its get their team ready to play. Besides Young isn’t ready to go up against our defensive starters…….get real he is having a hard time just assimilating that playbook for now. :-S
By e.b.
August 27, 2006 03:01 AM | Link to this
Mark, I love your articles, and I’m with you. This team WILL be the team to come out of the NFC South. Screw Terence Moore, that guy’s a total bummer.
By goooo dawgs
August 27, 2006 03:01 AM | Link to this
Dj did play all 4th quarter with no bryan randall. good sign for dj but mora said he hadnt made up his mind yet on the #3 qb and they both should get plenty of playing time next week against jax.
By e.b.
August 27, 2006 03:02 AM | Link to this
Mark, I love your articles, and I’m with you. This team WILL be the team to come out of the NFC South. Screw Terence Moore, that guy’s a total bummer.
By Chares
August 27, 2006 05:27 AM | Link to this
Hey, SOCalDawg:
Give it a rest. Only you and Terence Moore have a thing for DJ. Stop whining and let Falcons fans enjoy the win without any of this Dawgs this Dawgs that nonsense. The world is bigger than your little bark
By Chares
August 27, 2006 05:28 AM | Link to this
Hey, SOCalDawg:
Give it a rest. Only you and Terence Moore have a thing for DJ. Stop whining and let Falcons fans enjoy the win without any of your Dawgs this and Dawgs that nonsense. The world is bigger than your little bark
By Chares
August 27, 2006 05:28 AM | Link to this
Hey, SOCalDawg:
Give it a rest. Only you and Terence Moore have a thing for DJ. Stop whining and let Falcons fans enjoy the win without any of your Dawgs this and Dawgs that nonsense. The world is bigger than your little bark
By Buck Cochran in the NW
August 27, 2006 05:41 AM | Link to this
Up here , I don’t get much info on DJ’s attempt to make the Falcons, but the Dawg Nation needs to know that another member is in the fight of his life here in the North West. The “O” player of the yr. in the NFL Europe this past spring if battling David Greene for the 3rd string QB spot. As of last night’s game it appears DG is losing. I’ll keep the Nation posted.
By Michael
August 27, 2006 06:02 AM | Link to this
Even Dunn, stated that with the speed that’s on that offense have it must be spaced right for it to be effective. Knapp play calling has to get better. I don’t want hear that Schaub is a better QB, we seen last night. He came in against Tennesssee 1#st team defense in the 2nd quarter, throwing into double coverage, and fumbled the football, did’t move the offense the entire 3rd quarter! Has anyone noticed that when Schuab is in the game that Knapp’s play calling change? Calling more deep passes, screens, 3 & 4 wide receiver’s sets! I belive the players are beginning to notice it! That’s why Dunn stated what he said. Mark is writting about it! People! please start paying attention too it! These guys aren’t saying and writting about it for nothing. This is what’s keeping up that Schaub is better than Vick mess! You seen last night that he clearly not better!
By bobby cox
August 27, 2006 06:58 AM | Link to this
I don’t know what those Falcon people are doing. First of all, you don’t pull your starter until his arm falls off. Second, you don’t get rid of a veteran so a rookie can play. And this passing the ball is way too risky. Just sit back and wait for the long touchdown run. They even got one last night. Now all they need to do is cut all the backup quarterbacks and hold a tryout camp for mechanics, schoolteachers, anyone who wants to play QB and they’ll have a real team. Oops, almost forgot you need some nicknames. I suggest Vicky, Crumpy, and Ashley, no, Alge, no, Roddy…damn these receivers’ names! Better cut them too…
By Larry
August 27, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this
I’m pessimistic enough to think that DJ only played a whole quarter because Mora wanted to give him a last look before cutting him. Sure hope I’m wrong
By ROCKBUSTER
August 27, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this
CAN’T WAIT FOR SEASON TQ START.GO FALCONS.
By ROCKBUSTER
August 27, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this
CAN’T WAIT FOR SEASON TQ START.GO FALCONS.
By ROCKBUSTER
August 27, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this
CAN’T WAIT FOR SEASON TQ START.GO FALCONS.
By ROCKBUSTER
August 27, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this
CAN’T WAIT FOR SEASON TQ START.GO FALCONS.
By RA
August 27, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this
You like the Falcons? Michael Vick one of the most dynamic quarterbacks of our generation? Falcons do something right? Dear lord! You better watch yourself Bradley. If you’re not careful, someone might mistake you for a professional journalist who is actually partial to one of the home teams. Heaven forbid!
By eddiem
August 27, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
We will win because of our defense-John Abraham is a stud, and we were short Fat Jackson last night-wait till he starts stuffing the run….the broadcast left a lot to be desired-they missed the whole fake when Vick ran left, the anouncers were lost when they called tripping on Forney-and someone please tell Baldinger our fullback’s name is Justin Griffith NOT GRIFFEN!!
By Sly Ty
August 27, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
Mr.Bradley, Vince Young is nowhere near the player MV7 is, and he will not get significant playing time for the Titans this season, until they are eliminated from the playoffs. He clearly isn’t ready in that he threw a pick to Allen Rossum, a player who has 9 years experience, and only 1 pick in that time. Also, to the Vick Bashers, you know we could have Kyle Boller,Tim Couch,Ken Dorsey,Akili Smith, or even worst J.P.Losman. Point is that MV7 is dynamic, and forces teams into abnormal game planning. Defensive Ends can’t crash down the O-Line for fear of Vick rolling out. Knapp does an Okay job of play calling. Remember guys unlike the New Orleans, Cleveland, Buffalo, Washington, Oakland, Minnesota, Green Bay,to name a few, we actually have a REALISTIC chance to go deep into the playoffs. Don’t bash Matt Schaub either, he is a good back-up QB, the point being back-up QB. As long as MV7 is healthy, and we have the Gravy Train to plug the defensive middle, we have that REALISTIC chance to go deep into the Playoffs.
Go Falcons Go, and take me with you.
By oldschoolfootball
August 27, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
SoCalDawg, are you an uga alumni, current student, dropout, or another uga paraphernalia fan that only knows what they hear or think they read? Watch the game beng played or catch one of the replays of the game, then you will not have to rely on what is covered by the ajc.
By T Robb
August 27, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
As a Gator, Jerious Norwood is one of my very favorite players. Why? In 2004, his 29 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns led a woeful Mississippi State team over the Gators, 38-31, and led to the immediate dismissal of Ron Zook.
After watching him bury us and carry the rock 30 times, I didn’t even know some people thought he was a jitterbug. He’s a horse.
By Connie Lingous
August 27, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
“Then again, it doesn’t take much to make Jim Mora throw a fit.” Boy, Mark, that’s for sure - probably the understatement of the year. Dude needs some serious anger management therapy before he implodes. Did you see how uncomfortable he looked when Blank took it upon himself to stand next to him on the sideline about midway through the 4th quarter. Very very uncomfortable moment. Maybe Blank could save himself a few steps and just have them send up some sweaty jocks for him to sniff in the owners box.
Quote # 2: “flung himself forward for 5 of the most heartening yards this franchise has ever known” - now Mark, that is a real howler. That’s is one of the most inane comments I have ever read in one of your columns. This is game 3 of the preseason, Dude.
By Boots
August 27, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
Michael Vick is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks of our generation? Based on what? Hyperbole? My gawd, in the pantheon of great quarterbacks of this generation, Vick is the jock-holder! MV has been going down hill statistically from year to year and his performance against the pitiful Titans was anything but inspiring. Give me a break. The Birds may have a fairly good season, but it will be in spite of not because of Vick,
By bucko
August 27, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
How can you say that Knapp calling was bad. I for one like the calls they were calls that Vick can run. Faking the run, short passes, and not fumbling. By the way he missed a short pass wide opening receiver.
By T Robb
August 27, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this
As a Gator, Jerious Norwood is one of my very favorite players. Why? In 2004, his 29 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns led a woeful Mississippi State team over the Gators, 38-31, and led to the immediate dismissal of Ron Zook.
After watching him bury us and carry the rock 30 times, I didn’t even know some people thought he was a jitterbug. He’s a horse.
By NumbaOneFan
August 27, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Nice game toinight…. some bad playcalling but otherwise a good game. My assesment of the running bacs is as follows…. Norwood is a stud and will get a lot of playing time, Dunn well he is going to get his during the season, what I was really inpressed with was the free agent fullback Marlon Jones, This guy has speed inside and outside and can flat out move the pile when he needs to. I predict this guy will earn a spot and make an impact, McCreary may be in trouble. Nice win.
By NumbaOneFan
August 27, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
Nice game toinight…. some bad playcalling but otherwise a good game. My assesment of the running bacs is as follows…. Norwood is a stud and will get a lot of playing time, Dunn well he is going to get his during the season, what I was really inpressed with was the free agent fullback Marlon Jones, This guy has speed inside and outside and can flat out move the pile when he needs to. I predict this guy will earn a spot and make an impact, McCreary may be in trouble. Nice win.
By chi chi
August 27, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
I think the playcalling was okay but when the seasen starts i think knapp will pick it up and start tossing the ball downfield a little more. Roddy better watch out because its not going to take much to beat him out.
By Terrance Moore
August 27, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Hey Bradley, didn’t read my article last week? The moves stunk, the falcons stunk, and Duckett is a great back (but he’s no Riggins). Who cares if Norwood ran for 62 yards in one play… He didn’t high step in the endzone so it should only count for 4 points. Duckett’s 8 yards were hard fought, not like Riggins, but much more efficient that Norwoods’ 100 and something. The Falcons are heading for a fall.. You should read my articles more. You’d know the Falcons will go 2-10 in a strike shortened NFL season.
Terrance
By James Bacon
August 27, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
If the Falcons doesn’t get to the playoff this season, one of the major reasons will be the play-calling of Greg Knapp.
By litebrite
August 27, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Well, I had fun last night watching the game. It was good.
Did you see the Norwood run last night? Oh. Uh… it was good, huh?
And, and… did you see Schaub, you know… fumble the ball? Uhmmm… that was bad.
Uhh… because of that fumble… uh… Knapp should be fired.
Oh, and what about Abraham? Wow…
Oh, and what about Vick? Oh, man, he can sure run. And pass. And run. And pass.
Some people, uh, even slower than me, think that Vick shouldn’t be a quarterback.
I think they are stupid…
By GTIronman
August 27, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
Mark: Great writing, but then I went to GT.
On Knapp, could you do a little Gallup polling as the DefCo’s come to town? here are some questions?
Do you get goose bumps or change your shorts when you see Knapp on the sideline?
If it weren’t for Vick, would you ever study film on the falcons?
With MV7, does it matter if you study film?
Other than Vick, do you add wrinkles or put out the smooth as a baby’s butt plain vanilla defense?
To the Head Coach? Would you ever hire Knapp?
More questions in the tank, just let me know if you need a muse in Philly.
JimmyB
By Edgar
August 27, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
I’m still not satisfied with our run defense. This is a bad team that should have suffered with a running game stopped at the line of scrimmage. I noticed holding by the Titans on 2 huge runs by Travis Henry that gained considerable yardage. I guess the refs we just giving them the benefit of the doubt because they started throwing the flags on them after that. Norwood impressed me to the point that he might just be the starter after a couple of games. Although teams do seem to get the word quick when they hear about a phenom it would be nice to offset the other three big name backs in our division. Wouldn’t it be cool if Norwood was the Rookie of the Year beating out the other two more touted and higher drafted in the division? But again, the Titans are a bad team. But we did what we needed to do and that’s beat down a bad team.
By TheJama
August 27, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
Down with Bradley and down with Moore! Can’t wait to see their fodder being used as a drip mat when I change the oil in my car this season. Bradley will be off the bus once the Falcons lose their first game.
By lawton
August 27, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
good post michael. i noticed too that knapp calls better plays for vick. its almost as if HE doesnt believe in vick, thats why t.o. cussed him out of national tv. im tired of first down vick bootlegs, second down run to dunn, no matter the situation, and vick running for his life on third down because everybody knows its time to pass.
By boots
August 27, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Knapp actually has an easy job. Just let Vick be Vick. In other words, snap the ball to Vick and let him do whatever he wants. Throw it. Hand it off. Run all over creation. Drop kick it. Throw it out of the stadium. Calling plays for Vick is useless. He’s like a jazz musician trying to read notes. The only way he can play is by improvising —- making it up as he goes along.
By clifton
August 27, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
SoCalDawg (Regarding Shockley):
AJC may not have reported about Shockley as much as you would have liked, but they did have something. It was in the Falcon’s report with the headline “Pathon May Stay…”
“Shockley plays, Randall sits
Shockley played the fourth quarter, while his competition for the No. 3 quarterback job, Bryan Randall, took no snaps. Mora said the playing time was no indication of who has the inside track for the job and that both would receive significant playing time in Thursday’s exhibition finale against Jacksonville at the Georgia Dome.”
By SoCalDawg
August 27, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
Thanks clifton, I didn’t bother to read that article about Pathon, guess I should have before venting.
Dear oldschoolfootball, FWIW, I’m a life long UGA fan and an alum. (Also a life long falcons, braves and hawks fan) I live in california now, though - tough to catch games out here. usually not on TV. What’s a guy to do? Only way I can keep up is from what makes the paper. So I’ll complain about what’s in the paper if I want to. Thanks for your opinion though.
Dear “chares” I don’t even think you spelled your name right, so I’m not too interested in what you think is important in the world. I will admit though, that I’m deeply hurt by being mentioned in the same sentence with T.Moore.
go falcons.
By EGraves
August 27, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, how do you like Marlion Jackson, the #42 running back who ran the ball 14 times for 98 yards. He weighs 240 pounds and runs a 4.6 for the 40-yard dash. I like the way he ran hard north and south and chose the right holes when he ran east and west. His foot work is better than T.J. Duckett’s, and he runs hard “all” the time. Please respond.
By Vick SUCKS
August 27, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
WOW Vick looked pretty bad against a sad sad team. You clowns are in for a long season. The best part is reading the posts from you clowns that truly beleive Vick is “the most dynamic qb in the league” Vick ain’t even top 10.
By john
August 27, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this
Vick is not a smart QB.It gets to me that he is still learning the system.When Matt is in the passing game is better
By Whopper Dawg
August 28, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this
Don’t be fooled with the results of the game. Vick is a joke, a joke at QB. Lienart looked fifty times better in his first game than Vick did in his fifth season. Vick still cannot execute basic throwing fundamentals, I think he is worse now than when he came up. Trade him and start Schaub.
Missed Duckett, didn’t we? HA!!
By Bernard K.
August 28, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
The Falcons are primed and ready for a great season. Mike Vick will conitnue to win more games than he loses. I think Jenkins, White and Lelie are gonna make a great combination. Dunn and Alge are givens. Norwood looks like an explosive back who could contribute several big plays throughout this season.
If the defense holds up, we have a deep playoff run ahead of us.
go falcons.
By PSack
August 28, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
This is Vick’s year
You Vick haters need to ease up on. The past is the past he will play better this year. HE WILL BEAT TEAMS WITH HIS RUNNING AND PASSING
By joel
August 28, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
hey whopper idiot. news flash, matt leinart is a unproven, holdout rookie. your trying to compare him to a multi-probowler quarterback. Leinart will be riding the bench, while vick will be leading the falcons to the playoffs. Great comparison moron.
By joel
August 28, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
hey whopper idiot. news flash, matt leinart is a unproven, holdout rookie. your trying to compare him to a multi-probowler quarterback. Leinart will be riding the bench, while vick will be leading the falcons to the playoffs. Great comparison moron.
By Hasavior
August 28, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
Way to go Joel. Ia m surprised of all these sports fans and critics always making poor and outlandous comparisons. Its just so irritiating to hear throwing motions and mechanics of quarterbacks accross the league and put Vick at the bottom of the list. I am not the one to say he’s does not need improvement like other 5 year starting quarterbacks, but each quarterback mentioned in this blog has different throwing techniques that are effective in winning games.
Payton Manning is 6-5, 6-7 he see over the defence into pockets, therefore his training and throwing motion is designed for accuracy due to defensive players moving north and south. Vick is 6-0, 6-1 he see thru defences creating avenues in the defense. His throwing motion and power is apt for penetrating defensive players moving east to west. What Vick is getting better at is seeing the avenues that are east and west and connect over the top rather than down thru the defense.
Payton Manning is poor at throwing on the run such as bootlegs and forced out of pocket situations, his throwing motion and planting is affected due to the momentum of his body.
Vick body, throwing motion and mechanics is designed to accomodate the momentum of his body, hence the flicking wipping motion of his throw which produces bullet spirals and piercing trajectory. Yet , he has to adjust that motion when throwing on a avenue over the top when he pulls back for a attmpted lob throw.
Watch the next game and see the trajectory of his passes, they are avenue passes that connect from the numbers to the top of the recievers helmet.
And then watch Payton Manning passes landing from the top of the recievers helment to the numbers, even to the waist -due to the into the pocket trajectory of his passes.
By Hasavior
August 28, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Both techniques are effective at winning games and offensive schemes are set to maximize and accomodate scoring. Both players have weaknesses that are covered by good offensive coordinators.
I anticipate the Falcons having a complete scoring mechanism this year on the run and passing. They will wear defenses down. Defenses will no longer be able to put 7 8 9 players in the box when Vick is making passes to the flat with tall and quick recievers and running backs.
I see 100+ run and 100+ pass average per game prior to the playoffs.
By Hasavior
August 28, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
Both techniques are effective at winning games and offensive schemes are set to maximize and accomodate scoring. Both players have weaknesses that are covered by good offensive coordinators.
I anticipate the Falcons having a complete scoring mechanism this year on the run and passing. They will wear defenses down. Defenses will no longer be able to put 7 8 9 players in the box when Vick is making passes to the flat with tall and quick recievers and running backs.
I see 100+ run and 100+ pass average per game prior to the playoffs.