AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > December > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMilloy leads, but too late
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Landover, Md. – Maybe Ed Jasper would have discovered ways to pump this much life into a Falcons corpse. Definitely Shawn Jefferson, noted for melting a wall or three with his sizzling tongue. Actually, not since Eugene Robinson (you know, before his little incident prior to the night of that Super Bowl) has this franchise had a leader in its locker room as strikingly effective as Lawyer Milloy.
Thus there is hope for the Falcons in search of the playoffs.
It’s false hope. Despite moving to 6-6 after overcoming a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter Sunday at FedEx Field to steamroll their way to a 24-14 victory over the pitiful Washington Redskins, the Falcons have too many issues to conquer. They range from a coaching staff that has yet to prove it deserves longevity, to a personnel department that has acquired a slew of big-money underachievers (or busts), to huge weaknesses on the offensive line, at wide receiver and in the secondary.
Even so, what remains of the Falcons’ hope wears No. 36, still plays a potent strong safety at 33 and has a habit of matching his actions with his words.
“He lets us know how he feels, and he fires everybody up,” wide receiver Michael Jenkins said. Added linebacker Michael Boley, “He’s constantly out there telling us to keep the energy up, to keep the blood flowing, to stay poised, to stay focused.” Then there was this from Falcons coach Jim Mora, with eyes sparkling while saying the only picture of a player on his office walls is of Ronnie Lott: “The same type of mind-set, mentality, approach to the game that Ronnie had, that made him my favorite player of all time, is what Lawyer has.”
This time, Milloy called a meeting only for players on Saturday night at the team hotel, and then he did all sorts of wonderful things Sunday afternoon to help the Falcons end a four-game losing streak. Mostly, there was his deflected pass to a teammate that became an interception return that helped ignite the Falcons’ comeback. Afterward, while heading to the locker room, Milloy shouted to everybody in general but to his teammates in particular, “Don’t count us out.”
Too late. Courtesy of two brutal losses to NFC South rival New Orleans, the Falcons have dropped more than a few tiebreaking scenarios. As a result, the only way they can assure themselves of a playoff berth is to sweep their way to the end of the regular season, with victories at Tampa and Philadelphia, sandwiched around home victories against Dallas and Carolina. In the highly mediocre NFC, 9-7 might push the Falcons into the postseason, but 10-6 definitely would.
This is for sure: The Falcons players have the opportunity the rest of the way to try to save the jobs of a coaching staff that they claim they relish. Which brings us back to that Saturday night meeting. Milloy requested that coaches and other team officials and personnel leave the room, and he told his teammates that “we are already in the playoffs.” Then he opened the floor for what he called a “positive” discussion on why they were losing to the pathetic likes of Cleveland and Detroit with a roster that has the talent to do much better.
“There’s still a heartbeat with this team, and we know that nobody put us in this position but us, and that we can’t afford to lose any more after using up all of our nine lives,” said Milloy, an 11-year veteran who was acquired before this season after a career that included two trips to the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He has been involved with “maybe five or six” of these types of meetings. The last came with the Patriots at the beginning of the 2001 season.
Said Milloy, smiling, “At that point, which was after the second game, the players decided to take over the team, and you know the rest of the story.”
The Patriots won the Super Bowl. Which means what for the Falcons?
Well, not that.
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By Madden King
December 3, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
Damn false hope! You really know how to get the fans pumped up to have real hope Terence Moore! It’s nice to see how much faith you have in the Falcons and how you go out and f##k everybody else’s day up by writing this piece of sh!t to the fans. You are truly a great writer for the AJC. NOT!
By singletary
December 3, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this
We were there at FedEx Field. I gotta say, I had a huge sinking feeling when the Dead-skins went up 14-0, remniscent of the scoring last week.
It was not a pretty win, but we just outlasted and over-powered the rudderless Skins. The game could have gone the other way, such as after the blocked punt (Good tackle, Koenan!)
BTW, there were a few Falcons fans in attendance, most with Vick jerseys on.
By Matt
December 3, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
You can always count on Terrance to bring you a positive article!
By dirrtybird
December 3, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this
Here’s a real suprise. Terrence Moore doesn’t like the Falcons.
By trip
December 3, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
False hope, maybe, but that’s all I have, GO FALCONS. Don’t give up, as for you Terence, man you are a sad soul.
By LongtimeATLien
December 3, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
TM once again serves a chaser of realism along with the big mug of euphoria everyone is sipping on.
if you guys ALREADY KNOW that TM is gonna keep it real instead of just writing some rah-rah-go-team fluff piece, then why even click on the article?
he called the implosion well before it happened. i just some folx can’t handle the truth. i want the best for the team but they gotta get better FAST if they wanna remain the hunt. they made the Skins look REAL good in the 1st half!
By Daniel A Samayoa
December 3, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this
What kind of sports writer is this guy? What Happen to the True Sports Writers of yesterday year who would lift their city’s hopes and sprits. Any high school newspaper journalist can write a critical article, it take a talented writer to bring peoples hopes up.
By Tony
December 3, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this
I hate Terrance and I hate Schultz…but most of all, I’m growing to hate the AJC.
By I am the decider
December 3, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
You know, you could probably leave the AJC and move to another city to write this drivel and no one would miss you. Even compared to other sports writers, (I refuse to use the term journalist since it would cheapen the profession) you waste amazing amount of time writing crap. The Falcons need to play to win every game and play to get into the playoffs. Anything else displays a defeatist attitude.
I was at FedEx field today wearing a Vick jersey, as were several other fans and we all enjoyed the game.
Oh, btw did GT beat the Dawgs this year? I forget.
By Neil
December 3, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
you are dumb.CBS shows dolphins games in our georgia networks why dont u write about them and save all your crap for the fans that truly deserve your false hope rant.who the hell hired u anyway mr. scrooge? and when the falcons turn this thing around i dont want to see your dumb butt anywhere near OUR falcons bandwagon..morons not allowed!
By t-towndawg
December 3, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
I hate T Moore as much as anybody, but I have to agree with him this time. There is no way the Birds win out. They will lose to Dallas and Carolina for sure, and they may lose more than that. This time, I think TM is dead on.
By ATLien Player
December 3, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
Moore, don’t think you are telling it like it is because you are not! you are just hating. The Falcons have a real chance at the 6th wildcard spot. If the Panthers lose Monday night, the Falcons hold the 6th seed. How you like that! Falcons beat Tampa next week and Panthers lose to Cowboys(highly likely)…The Falcons hold the tie breaker over the Panthers by head to head. The following week the Panthers come to Atlanta. The Falcons have a good chance but you give them none.
By clinton
December 3, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
The fact of the matter is that the Falcons are a poorly motivated and inadequately coached team. How many GMs get to waste No 1 picks and stay around for long. The lack of heart on this and an unimaginative offensive plan have doomed these birds.
Time to clean house!
By P
December 3, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
If you don’t like the guy then stop reading his column. Seems pretty simple.
I hate Pravda so I don’t read it. It’s a free country dude nobody’s holding a gun to your head to make you read it.
By 50
December 3, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this
shut the hell up moore we have hope and we can make it to the playoff.if we win the rest of are games.we played a good game today
By FalCoon Lover
December 3, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
Terrance has a job to do and he does it well. His job is to write utter non-sense to get the reader upset. If you are a FAN, no one really cares what he or any other sports columnist write. We will continue to hold steadfast, and Terrance Moore articles will be used to put my daughter’s diapers in.
By ATLien73
December 3, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
Well, we know one pathetic AJC columnist that’s NOT a Falcon fan!
By onlywoody
December 3, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this
While this one win doesn’t give me more faith in the coaches , nor cheer me up about this “pretty much over” season, Moore’s article is kind of p**.
Stick with Vick; it’s the coaches, stupid!
By wow
December 3, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
everyone, just ignore little terrence. his act is getting tired. when he comes up with an opinion i think he truly believes, then i will start reading and responding to what he says.
By Top Gun
December 3, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this
Terrence, has a job, his job is to be controversial, to talk down on the Falcons, it sells papers, and it keeps him with a job, if people stopped replying to his post & ignored everything he had to say the only thing he would use the AJC for is the classified section. Why not just ignore what he has to say, and express yourself, in the way you feel about the team. He reads your post and he get a big laugh out of it, because he knows he will receive another paycheck because he served his purpose with the AJC to get you upset, Don’t play his game, play yours. Trust me he is not as he appears..
By paul
December 3, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Same story, different headline. Moore has no originality, no talent. Here’s a preview of next week’s blog. Moore bashes the Falcons.Get a life.
By don nason's balls
December 3, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
TERENCE MOORE: THE RON ZOOK OF SPORTSWRITERS
By MusicED
December 3, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this
Terence is right……..He is just stating the obvious!!! Let’s just be real, the Falcons beat the Redskins (the only other inconsistent NFC team other than the Falcons).
By Since67
December 3, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
A win is a win. And the Falcons pulled this one out, even down 14 zip. Great job! But before everyone feels that its all downhill from here, remember that the Skins were only a 4-7 team going into todays game. Its not like the birds downed a NFC powerhouse.
By Jay
December 3, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this
Beating a 4-8 team doesnt inspire hope, especially when you give up over 200 yards to a rookie qb. Our coaches still suck, our receivers still are inconsistent, and our secondary is still poor. How many teams can win every week by completing only 8 passes? But would you want to throw to our joke wr’s more then 6 times, like on sunday? Quite a quandry.
And then there is the fact that if we sneak into the playoffs, we’re a road team from the first round on. We’re arent going to pull a pittsburgh. Might as well tank the season and get as high of a pick as we can. And not trade it for a injury-prone player, McKay. Plus a losing season means a coach massacre, the best hope for the future.
But I dont have to worry about that. The Falcons will lose to the Cowboys and the Panthers for their second 8-8 season.
By Will
December 3, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
The fact that the Atlanta Falcons finally have reversed a full-out free-fall with a win against the Redskins wasn’t enough to bring an end to the internal strife that could eventually trigger big changes after the season.
After the 24-14 road win, Vick offered up this explanation of a 22-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins, which gave the Falcons the lead after they had fallen behind by 14: “[Jenkins] actually wasn’t even in the read. Sometimes you’ve got to overcome coaching. I told him before the play to make sure he ran his route to win, and he did. Nobody on the field knew what I was going to do but me and him, so it kind of works out that way.”
Sometimes you’ve got to overcome coaching.
The statement implies, obviously, that there’s something bad about the coaching that needs to be overcome. Our guess is that, if Vick is pressed on the question, he’ll say that he was misunderstood. Or maybe he’ll offer up another perfunctory apology, perhaps with a $5,000 donation to a charity of coach Jim Mora’s choice. Still, Vick said what he said, and it means what it means.
So regardless of the fact that (drum roll, please) the Falcons found a way to outscore the up-and-down Redskins, the Atlanta football franchise still has deeper issues that won’t go away until there’s a new coaching staff in the building. Or until Vick is gone.
By Richard
December 3, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this
Terrance,
I’m glad to see that you are recycling articles instead of spending time to think of new bull*t to write about how bad the Falcons are…..the AJC should clean house with the sports columnist…
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 3, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Thankfully, the NFC is so pathetic that if Philly beats Carolina tomorrow (unlikely, but possible) the Falcons would be the 6th playoff seed. It is definitely not “too late”, as Terence Moore says. Having said that, the Falcons did not play a great game today at all. In fact, if they play like this against Carolina or Dallas, they are going to get roasted. Against Dallas especially, if they continue to play zone and rush 4 and continue to be unable to defend simple stretch-cutback plays, Tony Romo and Marion Barber are going to destroy them. DeAngelo Hall is playing with absolutely no confidence, and we are completely unable to get pressure without blitzing. The offense once again showed that it is effective when the line blocks and the receivers catch passes, but that will be much harder when Julius Peppers and DeMarcus Ware are coming off the ends and Terence Newman and Chris Gamble are covering the receivers. And of course, despite all of this it’s always likely that the coaches choke it away with more dumb decisions in crunch time. The Falcons need about 3 more players-only meetings led by Lawyer Milloy before they can feel confident about their playoff chances.
By Dan
December 4, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, you really hate the Falcons, and I really (dislike you)
By Larry
December 4, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore:
My little pinky finger knows more about sports than you.
By Old school bird
December 4, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this
T. Moore, You suck man!! Go get a life your are the most doomsday writer in history of journalism!!How can turn a big win for this team into a negative article is beyond me.Why dont you go write obituaries or something! You really suck man!!
By stendec
December 4, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this
Would the Falcon offense have gotten on track without the key defensive interception? I think not. Yes, Deangelo Hall is an over-rated bigmouth who read too many of his own press clippings WHEN he was above average. Will the Falcons make a playoff run? I would love to see them do so. But no! Sad to say, they are just as apt to go bellyup against an awful Tampa Bay team. MV can average 200 yards rushing per game but losses to Dallas and Carolina WILL NOT be averted. An 8-8 finish might be overly optimistic. A team which allows a blocked punt to keep an inferior team alive is not worthy of a playoff spot! But remember this! The defense gave up two early touchdowns then kept the Redskins out of the end zone after the blocked punt. They have stunk this year but deserve some credit for what happened in DC. Truthfully, MOST of the credit. With kudos to Norwood.
By najeh Davenpoop-shoot
December 4, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this
Hey Terence, how do you even walk around metro Atlanta without someone punching your lights out? You are and always will be a MAJOR A-S-S HOLE! But, methinks (for whatever reason), that you enjoy that.
By Larry
December 4, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this
One can be both dumb and right.
Falcons finish 8-8.
By Dano
December 4, 2006 05:24 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
Good article……Thank You.
Bloggers,
Sometimes “The Truth Hurts”….. accept it, and be real instead of bad mouthing. In other words, grow up!!!!
By Boots
December 4, 2006 05:37 AM | Link to this
The blogs above remind me of the old adage regarding “shooting the messenger.” **I’m heartened that Lawyer Milloy dicided to shake the team up by calling a meeding on the night before the game. That’s what a leader does. Why didn’t Vick called a meeting? Why did we have to have a slide of four losses? I’M PLEASED WITH LAWYER, BUT WONDER WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR SOMEBODY TO STEP FORWARD AND CALL BULLS__T ON THE LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE OF A BUNCH OF SLACKERS!
By drew
December 4, 2006 06:10 AM | Link to this
Don’t be hatin’ on Terrence “Keeping it Real” Moore for telling the truth.
These birds are still toast. Best they go ahead and lose out, ensuring that at least this bust of a coaching staff is gone. The worse thing that could happen at this point would be for them salvage Mora and company’s jobs.
By No Way Jose
December 4, 2006 06:23 AM | Link to this
Why get into the playoffs, lose in the 1st round, and actually allow Mora and Knapp to stay around? Keep losing so this team can get an indentity make over.
By savannah falcon
December 4, 2006 06:24 AM | Link to this
Terrance needs to get a job working for Bin Laden!
By jerry
December 4, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this
You people better be careful about what you read about the Falcons. Some day some heartless sportswriter will actually tell you what a pathetic, infinite field horse they are in this NFL derby and the bridges over I-85 will be covered with jumpers.
By Barry
December 4, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this
Hey Y”all:
First of all, who the h-ll is Terrancr Moore? Last I remember this man did not win any football championship, nor played on any championship football team that won a championship. The only championship I see this man winning is the championship of his mouth and pen talking negatively about our local sport team whenever he gets the chance. This man single handely is trying to destroy the moral of our local sports community for our local sports team, in this case the Falcons while we are still in the chase for a playoof berth. This is another example of what I am talking about local sports fans about what’s going on at the AJC sports section and its writers “They are not winners! They are losers who try to get us as fans to join their bandwagon with their negative wring about our local sports team. we need writers a the AJC who like our local sports team and stick with them if they win or loose, especially when they are in the playoof hunt. These “gossip columnist” need not be given the authority to write “anything” they want in the paper about our local sportas team when they have nothing of substance to say. This needs to STOP!!! WE NEED A CHANGE AT THE AJC. GET RID OF THESE OLD SPORTS WRITERS WHO ARE STUCK IN THE NEGATIVE, LOSING WRITING STYLE OF THE PAST EVENTS OF OUR LOCAL SPORTS INSTEAD OF THE POSITIVE FUTURE OUR LOCAL SPORTS TEAMS ARE MOVING. I AM TIRED OF READING THEIR NEGATIVE ACCOUNTS OF OUR LOCAL TEAMS EVEN AFTER THEY WIN GAMES. FALCONS MAKE A BELIEVER OUT OF THIS KNUCKLEHEAD. AND AJC WHEN THEY DO, GET RID OF ALL THOSE NEGATIVE SPORTS WRITERS THAT YOU HAVE POSITIONED IN THE AJC SPORTS SECTION. THSY ARE LOSERS AND THEY NEED A NEW COACH AND PLAYERS!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
This a SECRET from us local sports fans. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!! AS CONSUMERS IN THE COMMUNITY< WE DENAD A CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ringold
By midniterider
December 4, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this
I think the world of W Dunn but i have said all year Norwood is a better running back put your best players on the field
By jimmy smith
December 4, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
terrance…i can count on one finger the times i have agreed with you and this is it.
By keep it real!
December 4, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
Let Vick call some plays Greg Knapp is clue less. But thank for the win. Donatell when you play Dallas you had better bring some heat or the cowboys are going to have a field on this defense! Greg Knapp you need to be getting some new plays for this game. If you win this game it may save your Job. Show time Greg Knapp!
By mart
December 4, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this
In this year’s NFC, false hope is probably good enough.
By Busta Nut
December 4, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this
Terrance, I usually don’t agree with your opinion but I have to say you have been right on the money the last two weeks. Everything on this team needs to be thoroughly evaluated and changes made. This season was over last week, and for the most part left on the fields of Detroit & Cleveland. Good job Terrance!
By dawgone!
December 4, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
Is suicide legal in Ga? If so I vote for T.Moore’s death by hanging.
Shove that negitivity up your posterior end.
By Joshua Barlowe
December 4, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
There are some serious problems with this franchise, mostly that the QB throws his coaches under the bus any chance he gets:
“He wasn’t even in the read. Sometimes you’ve got to overcome coaching,” Vick said. “I told him before the play to run his route to win. Nobody on the field knew what we were going to do but me and him.”
Somebody should tell Mike that’s called an “audible,” since I think that’s the first time he’s ever heard of changing the play.
This is a sinking ship.
By Darkside
December 4, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
The Great Terence Moore speaks the truth!! Why are you Falcons fans holding on tight to your balls?. If you get rid of Vick and Schaub for Moss and first round draft pic. This will improve your team and the future of the Georgia Dome…
Remember.. Mr. Blank will be moving the team out of Atlanta to Gwin. in 2012.
By bravomann
December 4, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
I like the Falcons as much as anyone, let me rephrase that, I love the Birds. Whatever TM or anyone else thinks, I see a very talenred QB who would be a Superbowl QB on another team. It’s scary how a guy called Bart wasted his career in Atlanta. I just hope Vick demands some changes, you have to believe Arthur cares more about this team than ths “worst NFL team owner (Smith) ever.
By mo
December 4, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this
I think that yesterday’s game was a good win for the Falcons. I do, however, think that we have some serious issues.
First up, our defensive strategy is well-scouted. I think we need to mix up our blitz packages to hide it from the defenses. I do like the fact that we can audible out of them, though.
Speaking of audibling, my second issue is the whole audible issue. I’ve read what Vick said about having to “overcome the coaching” by including Jenkins in the read on that touchdown pass. Overcome the coaching? What?
Knapp has lost all credibility with Vick and Vick has grown tired of Knapp’s vanilla coaching schemes. He’s too predictable. Even when he ran that double-reverse passing play. I knew by the way they lined up that it was a trick play coming. That’s why no one bit on it. It was ill-conceived and it showed a lack of hiding the intentions on the execution of those kind of plays.
In short, Knapp will probably be fired by Vick at the end of this season. It won’t be a big blow-up like when TO got in Knapp’s face and called him to the carpet on some terribly play-calling, but it will be as a result of Vick going into Blank’s office and complaining.
Oh, and the O-line STILL has plenty of problems. Gandy was just EXPOSED yesterday. OMG, he was just ABUSED!
And Clabo looked like a rookie yesterday. They both play ugly football. That right side of the line had a good game, though.
So, I still think our Offensive Coordinator needs to go. I hope that Vick will just audible anyway, and make line changes. What’s Knapp going to do? Bench him? Knapp lost all his power during the last two games, when he wet his pants in front of everybody.
Oh, and we still need to shore up our DB play. We still have problems, but I was encouraged by the D-line play, at times. (Our run defense needs much to be desired).
But it was a good win. We need to build on it.
By D-Man
December 4, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
First of all, Terrance Moore….. I can’t say no more than your last name and what the other bloggers have already said about how you continue to suck your moms titty every time you get a chance to write about the falcons. My opinion if you hate them this much stop writing about them. Do you feel they’ve sucked your moms t** in your absence or something? LET IT GO. Little Terrance NOBODY cares MOORE!! Luckily no one have punched you in the face dufus!!
You didn’t even write about one of the highlights of yesterday like Vick not liking the play Greg Knapp sent in and decided to go against the grain and run his own play that scored a 28 yard strike to Michael Jenkins!! That was something to write about and I am sure the fans would have appreciated it as well. but NOOOO you decide to write bullsh__ that the readers don’t care about only people like “Dano” and “Drew” who are clearly your “Broke-Back-Rendezvouers” would only appreciate crap like that.
I know this team can do great things and I understand that they have alot of problems mostly in the coaching staff but I am behind them win or lose I am not fairweather like TMoore and fans.
By bk hawk
December 4, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Moore, Thanks for telling the truth or like it is. Look over the people who love to hate.
By bucko
December 4, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Don’t let two passes that any Q.B. in the NFL could make lead you to think that vick is a great Q.B. again because he is not. Vick when you want to go to another receiver that’s ok that is what is call looking the field over instead of your intented receiver you are a joke. TRIED ANOTHER WAY TO BACKSTAB YOUR COACHES YOU JERK.
By Steve Clonts
December 4, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
SAME OLD TIRED AZZ SH#T BY THE SAME OLD TIRED AZZ POSTERS. THE FALCONS ARE NOT THAT GOOD A TEAM. I’VE FOLLOWED THEM SINCE 1978 SO I AM A REAL AND ‘REALISTIC’ FAN. AS FOR MOORE, I THINK HE IS JUST TELLING THE TRUTH…AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE TRUTH…IT HURTS!!!!! THIS TEAM HAS MORE HOLES THAN SWISS CHEESE AND YOU ALL KNOW IT! THEY ARE NOT AS BAD AS TEAMS I’VE WITNESSED IN ATLANTA BUT SAVE FOR VICK, MILLOY, BROOKING, CRUMPLER, NORWOOD, AND DUNN, THESE GUYS ARE A MEDIOCRE BUNCH IN A MEDIOCRE NFC! THE ONLY REASON WE ARE EVEN TALKING PLAYOFF CHANCES IS THE NFC IS A COLLECTIVE POWER OUTAGE OF TEAMS. SO GET REAL PEOPLE AND GET OVER YOURSELVES. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE AJC RAG THEN QUIT YOUR B*** AND GET OUT!!!
By D-Man
December 4, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
bk hawk is gay!
By D-Man
December 4, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
Steve Clonts teeth are bronze, with all that garbage talk!! Nobody hears you!!
By Dedsquirrl
December 4, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Sorry T.Moore.
No matter how hard you wish for it, Lovie Smith is still not our coach.
Stick to writing articles about Hank Aaron. It is the only thing you are good at.
By Josh
December 4, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
Geez, most of the fans who post comments here are idiots. If all you can think to do is insult the columnist, maybe you should go read somebody else, Einstein!! Good column, Terence, and keep up the good work.
By Ryder
December 4, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
I would like to apologize in advance for the following rant……
WHAT THE H* IS YOUR PROBLEM PEOPLE?! FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE THE ATLANTA FALCONS WON A GAME! I REPEAT THEY WON THE GAME! HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU FOOLS TO UNDERSTAND THAT! F MOORE, FSTEVE CNT AND THE REST OF THESE “FALCONS FANS” WHO HATE ON THIS TEAM WEEK AFTER WEEK…ALL OF YOU SUCK AND CAN BITE THE BIG ONE IN H!!!!
Whew…that felt so much better, now I can blog in a way that many of you are unable to do so, and that’s with intelligent thought. In this day of parity, there is no true dominant teams anymore (New England perhaps) but any team can be beaten on any day, and the Atlanta Falcons have proved that week in and week out…
That being said, there is still a lot of football to be played and it’s impossible to predict who will be in and who will be out. Three weeks ago everyone had the Giants pegged to go to Miami, now they may not even be in the playoffs. Same thing goes for Denver, Carolina, as well as Indianapolis/ Chicago, who up until now looked as a lock for the Super Bowl.
So who’s to say what will happen in the past four weeks? One thing that the Falcons have done in playoff seasons is get on a hot streak. No better time than now thanks to veteran leadership.
Btw singletary, I was one of those fans in the stands with a Vick jersey on and proud to admit it!
By GOOD ARTICLE TERRENCE
December 4, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
I NORMALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT YOU ARE A REALIST AND I AGREE WITH YOUR ARTICLE. THIS WIN IS FALSE HOPE AKA FOOLS GOLD. FIRE…… MCKAY AND THE SCOUTS!
By najeh Davenpoop-shoot
December 4, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
“the great Terence Moore” ???? Please, i know this has to be Terence coming on under various screen names, because I know for a fact that not that many people like him. This guy’s an A-SS HOLE, always has been.
By falcon fan
December 4, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
Did Terrance ever play a down of football? Anywhere and that includes Pop Warner!!
By Richard Cory
December 4, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Boy talk about ‘haters’. All T. Moore is doing, is giving you a dose of reality. He could give you, “sunshine and puppies” but that would not be truth! Once a man said, “the truth shall set you free”. Another said, “you can’t handle the truth”. As for me, I’d rather a sports writer tell me what he thinks the situation is, than tell me what he thinks I want to hear. T. Moore may be right, or he may be wrong, but I for one give him credit for bringing me truth,as he sees it.
By Mike
December 4, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
I Know!!!! Lets trade for Grissom and Justice. We know they would make a difference. Right Mr. Moore.
By Maurice
December 4, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Why worry about getting to the playoffs? The Falcons may or may not have to win out. None of the teams in the NFL are unbeatable. Dallas will choke because Gramatica really isn’t that great a kicker. Indy will choke again because they don’t have a running back. Chicago I think that beyond their defense…they suck. As far as the Falcons division goes sure they lost two games to the Saints. if they go 4 and 2 in the division that will pull them in second and gain a wild card. Why? Because no team is unbeatable in the NFL.
By t.moore's daddy
December 4, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
I like TM about like having a boil on my a.. but he is right. We have too many holes in this team to possibly make the playoffs. They are in order: 1.Lousy defense (vs run and pass) 2.Lousy Oline. They are on MV way too fast. 3.Lousy wide receivers. Too many drops. 4.MV is not consistent enough.
I guess what i am saying is our running backs (including MV, lol) and our field goal kicker are playoff quality but nothing else. Hope i am wrong
By reality check
December 4, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
Actually, if Philly beats Carolina tonight, the Falcons will be a 7th seed and not in the playoffs. When you have a tie with teams in multiple divisions, the first tiebreaker is confence record. Giants 5-3, Philly 5-3, Atlanta 4-4, Carolina 4-5. Sad but true.
By Henry
December 4, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
All I can say is that Arthur better get rid of this Oline and this cut block philosophy.
By Singletary
December 4, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/03/AR2006120300969.html
Check this!
By ICEMAN
December 4, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
Ryder,
You need to ryd into the sunset with naive optimism. Our Falcons are done.Cooked.Roasted. I’m sorry if we’re not jumping up and down over one stupid game that we won becasue the other team started a rookie QB. Its time to make serious changes on our team.
By Viking
December 4, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
What sports did you play besides none. You base your opinions on subjects that stir fans up. Try writing a story, and make it seem as though you put some thought in it. Too hard hugh. Yeah thought so. Maybe if you played on a team once in your life, you stories would not be baseless, and vague, but you have zero personal experience in any sports so I guess, your boring opinions is all you have.
By Phil Fontenot
December 4, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Terance you like the Falcons, but you don’t like the Falcons, but you like the Falcons. Sort of like that life imitating art imitating life scenario. You make interesting points about the Falcons. Unlike your writing (which seems to be predictable about the flaws of the Falcons) you can’t say that about 5 games over 5 weeks - let me guess you didn’t like Any Given Sunday - or dare to extend that possiblity to the Falcons. Give your devoted agitatees a different side of you, interview Vick and Mora to set the record straight. We know you praftice freedom of the press from you side - now give us the other side. Wouldn’t you say it’s time we heard from the pro’s, instead of your satire (there is a certain way you have to smile - I know I do like the one from D Man- knowing you will provoke the responses you will get)week in and out.
By RC
December 4, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
I keep suffering from the false hope that Terence will go write his tripe in some other town……
By Doug
December 4, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Well..lets just not play the last 4 games remaining in the season. Let’s just start the playoff NOW to make the sellouts happy! With the same token…lets just listen to TM who is obviously not a fan and pack it up like Dennis Green says and crown the team right now with the best record Superbowl Champs…Was it TM that picked carolina to be on top with no one in site? or was he just following the National Press?? Hello!!! That is not how it works people! Let’s just put a small c on Milloys jersey and take the capital C’s from the Captains of the team. I dare TM to write something Negative about Brooking!! And for the people that agree with TM, While you are at it…If the Falcon win a game…have TM donate his paycheck to charity and any other loser donate there money to the local Bookie and bet against the Falcons. In other words, shut up or put up or walk around Atlanta with a carolina jersey on or a dallas jersey or pittsburg jersey…If your brave enough!!! The only reason to come to this page is to see how ridiculous the transplant, fair-weather fans can be when Atlanta wins and not to read TM article…which brings the question? Is TM a sports columnist or a blogger in disguise?
By jay black
December 4, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
hey reality check….
Thefalcons can’t be 4-4 in the division because at this point in the season, the only games in the division we lost was to N.O. twice. BTW, no division plays 8 divisional games. you gotta get the math straight.
By jay black
December 4, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
Somebody tell me why the Washington Post can write a positive article on MV7 and the Falcons, but our own paper can’t. Why????
By jay black
December 4, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
here’s the article…..
By Eli Saslow Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, December 4, 2006; Page E18
Nothing has changed, Atlanta Falcons players said. Love him or hate him, this is the same Michael Vick.
One week, he lifts each middle finger to Atlanta fans while walking off the field because he’s bitter after rushing for 166 yards and still losing a fourth consecutive game. The next week, he ignores an injury, improvises his team’s best plays and berates teammates on the sideline, initiating a come-from-behind, 24-14 win over the Redskins.
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Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick (59 yards rushing, 122 yards passing) leaves Cornelius Griffin flat. “I’m going to go out there every time and wear it on my sleeve,” Vick said. “That’s me.” (By John Mcdonnell — The Washington Post)
FALCONS 24, REDSKINS 14 After a fast start, the Redskins fall apart by turning the ball over and yeilding big plays. » Summary Thomas Boswell: This loss illustrates how tightly the Redskins future is tied to the speed of Jason Campbell’s development. » Grade the Redskins On Football: The Redskins were dominating. Then came a curious move. The wayward passes and poor decisions caught up with Campbell. Ladell Betts set career highs for rushes and yards. What some identify as Michael Vick’s greatest weakness, often becomes his foremost strength. Notebook: Joe Gibbs was was pleased with kicker Shaun Suisham’s work. At a Glance | Quarterly Report | Photos ONE AND DONE Quarterback Jason Campbell and the Redskins dominated the first quarter, jumping out to a 14-0 lead. The rest of the game? Not so much. First quarter Redskins Falcons Points 14 0 First downs 8 2 Passing yards 57 -3 Rushing yards 77 29 Afterward Redskins Falcons Points 0 24 First downs 17 14 Passing yards 160 125 Rushing yards 100 227 Campbell C-A Yds TD Int 1st quarter 2-2 57 1 0 Afterward 16-36 160 0 2
BIGGER, NOT BETTER Big plays again got the best of Washington’s defense, including: 69-yard touchdown run by Jerious Norwood. 22-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Michael Jenkins. 46-yard pass to tight end Alge Crumpler on third down to set up another score. The three plays produced 137 yards. The Falcons’ other 55 plays went for a total of 232 yards. “Those three explosive plays were really the difference defensively,” said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense. “That was frustrating, those three plays.” — Jason La Canfora REDSKINS INSIDER The Post’s Jason La Canfora updates the latest Redskins’ news — only on washingtonpost.com. AT THE GAME Ex-Redskins Pro Bowl linebacker Ken Harvey offers in-game analysis — only on washingtonpost.com. BASICS Schedule Roster Depth chart Statistics Transactions E-MAIL NEWSLETTER Looking for Redskins coverage you can’t find anywhere else? Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter. NFL INSIDER The Post’s Mark Maske on all things NFL — only on washingtonpost.com.
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This is the bargain Michael Vick demands: To play his best, he must express himself without a filter.
Eight days after Vick’s famous middle fingers cost him constant criticism and a $10,000 fine, the quarterback played with unchecked emotion again — but to drastically different results. Vick passed for two touchdowns and ran for 59 yards, sometimes ignoring his coaches’ play calling to create big gains based on his own intuition. His fiery antics on the sideline — stomping his right foot, spiking a football — helped the Falcons recover from a 14-point deficit to beat the Redskins yesterday and improve to 6-6 in a wide-open NFC South.
“You have to go through the good times and the tough times and still be you,” Vick said. “You have to believe in yourself. I’m going to go out there every time and wear it on my sleeve. That’s me.”
It was little surprise, then, that yesterday’s game started with another Vick meltdown. On Atlanta’s first two possessions, Vick’s receivers dropped two passes and his offensive line provided too little protection for even the best escape artist. After Atlanta’s second-consecutive failed drive, Vick picked up the football and hurled it to the sideline. “It was a very frustrating start,” he said.
Since Vick became the first player picked in the 2001 NFL draft, his emotional disposition has occasionally frustrated teammates and fans. He rarely relies on his receivers, and he tries to make big plays all by himself — especially when the Falcons fall behind. Yesterday, when a fullback failed to block for him on a promising run, Vick stomped his feet and emphatically shook his head.
“When he gets emotional, it spreads,” Atlanta wide receiver Michael Jenkins said. “He got angry, he started yelling and that fired everybody up. It’s not always a bad thing to get angry. It’s contagious. We get going when he gets going, and that’s what eventually happened. We started making plays.”
Vick made many of them himself, playing with his usual abandon. He scrambled effectively, running for a first down on two of Atlanta’s scoring drives. He dodged Redskins defenders in the third quarter and then threaded a tight, third-down pass to Ashley Lelie. He left the game when a Redskins defender fell on his leg, and then came back one play later. Did he feel okay? “Not really,” Vick said, “but you know me.”
His greatest highlight came early in the second half, when he decided to call a play himself. With the Falcons trailing, 14-10, early in the third quarter, Vick heard a play come through his headset that hardly appealed to him. The Atlanta coaches wanted a passing play, and they gave Vick three possible receivers as targets.
“[Vick] wanted to throw to someone else,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins and Vick agreed to create their own play: Jenkins would run 22 yards down the field and into the end zone, and Vick would look for him. And true to Vick’s plan, the quarterback dropped back and threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open receiver nobody expected to see in the end zone — not even the Atlanta coaches. The play gave the Falcons a lead they held until the end of the game.
“Michael wasn’t even in the read on that play,” said Vick, still sweating 30 minutes after the game while wearing a striped suit and diamond earrings. “Sometimes you have to overcome coaching, you know. Nobody on the field knew what we were going to do except for me and [Jenkins].”
Vick smiled slyly, and then walked toward his locker. What some had identified as his greatest weakness last week had once against become his foremost strength: His brilliance is unpredictable and impossible to control.
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 4, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
If it takes Vick calling an unauthorized audible to throw a TD pass, then by all means he should continue doing it. Say what you want about Vick, but if you know anything about football you know that Vick is much better at playing QB than Knapp can ever hope to be as an offensive coordinator. If this is what it takes for Knapp to wake his arrogant a* up and realize that an NFL QB should be allowed to audible, then so be it. I would much rather see Vick calling the plays than Knapp, based on Knapp’s track record.
By D-Man
December 4, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
Doug your a master at work!! Good Job Posting!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 4, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
Actually, head-to-head record acts as the tiebreaker ahead of conference record, which would give the Giants a tiebreaker over us and give us a tiebreaker over Carolina at this point in the season.
If Philly beats Carolina tonight, then the Giants (6-6) would have a tiebreaker over all three teams, and Philly (6-6) and Atlanta (6-6) would hold a tiebreaker over Carolina (5-7), going into next week, leaving Carolina out of the playoff picture. Philly (5-3 NFC) would then win a tiebreaker over Atlanta (4-4 NFC), giving Philly the tiebreaker over Atlanta and leaving Atlanta out of the playoff picture.
If Carolina beats Philly, then Carolina (7-5) would leapfrog the Giants (6-6) and Atlanta (6-6) due to overall record, and the Giants would hold a tiebreaker over Atlanta, leaving Atlanta (6-6) and Philly (5-7) out of the playoff picture.
Keep in mind though, that all these teams still have games left with each other. Atlanta still plays Carolina and Philadelphia, Philly still plays Atlanta and the Giants, Carolina still plays the Giants and Atlanta, and the Giants still play Philly and Carolina. A lot could change over the next few weeks in the NFC playoff picture. Basically if any of these teams wins out, they are probably guaranteed a playoff spot — hopefully that team is the Falcons.
By Jack
December 4, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
I am not a fan of TM - BUT he is more right than wrong on this. To be 6-6 in a very weak NFC can’t by ignored even by the biggest fans. Sure it would be nice for a miracle end of the season but really anything short of making the NFC Championship means the coaches need to go. Look at what coaches like Parcells and Holmgren and even Lovie Smith have put together. Bottom line - Mora and staff have lost the fans.
By blue tom
December 4, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Terrence is right on the money even though it is not a popular stance considering the falcons won yesterday. AND there is much to consider, like the Redskins, as I said last week on this blog, are the absolute worst team in the NFL. They actually led the falcons 14-0, which is unbelievable. The falcons will not make the playoffs; at best they will win one more game, probably at Philly. Carolina will win their remaining games and the Giants will make the playoffs. It would be great if the falcons could put two good games together back to back but the jury is out. We really don’t know which Vick will show up at Tampa Bay or which receivers will decide if they can catch the football. Terrence, thanks for the reality check. You are on the money. Tampa Bay 24 - Hotlanta 17. How about them ‘Dawgs, they are gonna absolutely MASH the pretenders from Hokieville! Also, Michigan was ROBBED! The Gators are 5th team at best.
By hellasirrah
December 4, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
PLEASE AJC. FIRE TERENCE MOORE. He is a overpaid writer who with no talent. He should not be writing for such a fine paper… YOU BIG DUMMY!
By Doug
December 4, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Why do people constantly have to associate losing with firing the coach? Sometime reorganization is simple..(K.I.S.S.)it’s like this.. the coach can not take the team to the next level ala Dan Reeves…People are arguing a tireless point. A coach can make it to the dance every year and never win the beauty queen or get crowned King of the Dance. He may need to upgrade his wardrobe and buy a better car, but it doesn’t do him any good if he doesn’t wash the car and put silicone on the tires. Even when the car is cleaned…An owner can tell where the car has been and who has been driving the car by the mud and the dirt left in the driveway. Arthur B. can tell who has been producing with the mud on his shoes from cleaning up the Ferrari. So don’t stop supporting the Falcons or sell the car just because you want the car detailed. It will all come out in the wash of who was at fault. Just keep rooting for the Hometeam. Because I’m telling you Now!..Don’t ((NO)!! team) in the NFL wants to play the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Vick in a do or die situation ala the playoffs.
By Dr. I.Q.
December 4, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
We have so many knowlegeable fans on this blog, please give me a quick answer to this question. I don’t remember nor have the time to look it up. HOW MANY TEAMS WITH A WINNING RECORD HAVE THE FALCONS DEFEATED THIS YEAR? I’m not being a wiseasz, I really want to know. Thanks!
By big kem
December 4, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this
this is what i have to say about this terrance moore dude. If you’re always gotta have something negative to say, just qiut you’re job. the falcons could have easily given up that game after washington score 14-0. but they didn’t give up and now ur sayin they have false hope? MAN GET OUT OF HERE! all the time i read the ajc and read what you have to say. its always negative. IF YOU DONT HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY, JUMP ON SOMEONE ELSES BANDWAGON!
By big kem
December 4, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
it dosen’t matter we still right on .500 dr.I.Q.
By TRUE FALCONS_FAN
December 4, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
I really feel sorry for you TM because you are an IDIOT. You just keep on writing negative comments about the Falcons, every week. Can’t you find something else to write about. We Falcon fans needs to sign a petition to run your a* out of town. I can’t believe you work for the ATLANTA Journal Constitution and don’t ever have anything good to say about the ATLANTA Falcons, the home team. Shame on you and the bulls** you write. When the Falcons play good, you complain, when they play bad, you complain. You are a miserable, pathetic and poor excuse for a writer.
By Unknown Hinson
December 4, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this
Carolina and Cinci. And Terrence your negative energy is not appreciated. Yeah we have dug a hole and yes we have problems but with the talent we have and if we go on a streak we can win. It’s not like its over already, one thing I’ve learned as a true sports fan is that sports are never scripted.
By Unknown Hinson
December 4, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
I bet Terrence is the kind of guy who already had his article written about the redsox in ‘04 before the series was over. Redsox Choke Again!! Yankees Destroy Redsox in ALCS. Season Over Redsox Fans You Can Kill Yourself Now. You are the kind of fan that Atlanta has too many of.
I got one for you Terrence your old and your life is short, your probably going to have a heart attack within 2 years. What? Don’t like the negative energy?
By enema
December 4, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
No, AJC, do not fire Terrence. He is the only voice of reason and sensibility that we have. He is not afraid to speak the truth about our team. This team is hanging on by a thread and it should have never been that way. The falcons have turned out to be a bunch of inconsistent, overpaid pretenders. It is going to take more than a QB putting on a track and field show. We will only win one more game this year, how sad. You people lay off of terrence, he knows what he speaks of, man. Go Ron Mexico; don’t spend all of those millions in one place.
By Brownthrasher
December 5, 2006 01:10 AM | Link to this
Terrence Moore … WHY DO YOU LIVE IN ATLANTA? You have never liked any of the teams in Atlanta and you rarely support them. THANKS FOR NOTHING. I haven’t seen you on anyone’s football field or basketball court or baseball diamond. All you do is run your mouth and it is usually WRONG. We don’t need your support or your weekly columns. It’s no wonder that you have been stuck in a deadend job for all these years. That’s why you have not moved on to bigger and better newpspapers or magazines.