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Friday, October 20, 2006
Steelers wheelin’, Falcons reelin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Even before Michael Vick’s comments in an HBO interview Wednesday revealed further tensions/concerns/anxieties regarding the Falcons’ offensive woes, there has been plenty of scat bandying on the Web this week about No. 7 and the unique dilemma/challenges he poses. For his own team, as well as the opponent.
It’s enough to make you forget which team has the better record as the Super Bowl champion Steelers hit the Georgia Dome for Sunday’s game that AJC Falcons beat writer Steve Wyche thinks could be a watershed moment for the season.
The 3-2 Falcons are reeling from a 27-14 loss to the Giants that Vick talked about extensively with HBO’s Cris Carter for the Inside the NFL program.
Pittsburgh started off 1-3 but romped over the Chiefs last week as Ben Roethlisberger tossed his first TD passes since the Super Bowl.
In his HBO sit-down, Vick talked about getting banged up pretty good Sunday, and the NFL came down hard on the Giants’ Antonio Pierce, fining him $12,500 for a late hit on the QB.
Fans debate here about whether staying in the pocket will help Vick.
Here’s a handicapper who thinks the Falcons should either bench Vick or tear up the offensive philosophy altogether.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher calls the Falcons “twice as dangerous” and spouts the usual about Vick being a unique challenge.
This Steelers fan blogger labels the Falcons and Vick “an instant measuring stick.”
The contest features the NFL’s No. 12 vs. No. 15 in this power ranking, with this glaring question: “What’s happened to Alge Crumpler’s hands?”
Saving the juiciest Vick commentary for last, SI’s bodacious Dr. Z weighs in via his reader mailbag, and points the finger in the provocative direction of the nattily dressed man on the sidelines.
“How many other issues arouse such passion, on both sides of the Vick issue? But here’s the biggest factor of all. He is a personal favorite of the owner, Arthur Blank, who would never let anyone mess with his fair haired boy. It’s a terrible curse … meddling owners.”
As for that expansive Steeler Nation that figures to descend upon our fair city, not a lot will keep them away. A Pittsburgh ex-pat living in Atlanta thinks some people might be scared off by this week’s stadium bomb hoax, but not him.
Yes, it seems like there may be quite a few Terrible Towels being waved at the Dome.
A Steelers fan gripes about having to buy tickets to see the Falcons-Cowboys game, as well as a Georgia Force contest, to see his beloved Ironmen take the field.
A Falcons fan responds in kind:
“How does this not also screw over any Atlanta fans who don’t give a rat’s ass about the Georgia Force (i.e. every damn one of them?).”
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