Rev's Thouhgts from the Raiders game

[Rev_Hal]

1. First and foremost, did this game seem surreal to anyone else? So many times over the years, we have been on the losing end of a game like this. It felt really strange to be on the winning end of this kind of situaion. I kept feeling like I was going to wake up and it be a really good dream. I'm glad I was awake.

2. That had to be one of the worst performances of any team I ahve ever seen by the Oakland Raiders. They were absolutely pathetic. I don't want to take anything away from the great play of the Falcons, but dang, they stunk. I can't remember a NFL team that performed worse than they did. If I were a Raiders fan, I would be very furious.

3. Matt Ryan is the real deal. See my other thread this morning on what I think of this kid. He ran the no-huddle like a champ. The accouncers kept saying he was confused as he marched the team up and down the field. They were the confused/clueless ones. Ray was hot.

4. I understand the conservative play calling in the second half, but the game got MORING. Mularkey should have used the second half as an opportunity to open up the playbook and give Ryan more experiencw with new plays/formations.

5. The defense played great. It's hard to tell how great since the Raiders were so bad, but it was a definate improvement. I hope they maintain this enthusiasm agains the Saints.

6. Is there no better unemployed tackle in the league than Wayne Gandy? Really? Really?

7. There is a God. It was proven yesterday. Our prayers were answered, and Adam Jenkins was deactivated. Douglas needs more practice at the position, but he at leaste did nothing terribly stupid.

[mcwheesus]

7. There is a God. It was proven yesterday. Our prayers were answered, and Adam Jenkins was deactivated. Douglas needs more practice at the position, but he at leaste did nothing terribly stupid.

Yes. Give him another game or two and Ithink he will start to shine. I think his nerves are probably bothering him a little and its making him a little uncomfortable, as shown on that one punt he should have fair caught. However, I would rather him run away from a punt hes uncomfortable with right now, then to muff a punt with the sun in his eyes. Let him get some time and he's gonna give us great field position.

[jstammer]

Is it just me or do ALL of our punt returners seem to be way out of position when the ball starts to come down? Are teams kicking that poorly or are we putting our returners in the wrong place on teh field to catch the ball in the first place? Maybe in practice Koenan is kicking the ball further than the rest of the league's punters and our guys have yet to adjust accordingly.

Perhaps this is something that we need to look at the Special Teams coach for not just the guys back returning the punts.

[Fanboy3000]

1. First and foremost, did this game seem surreal to anyone else? So many times over the years, we have been on the losing end of a game like this. It felt really strange to be on the winning end of this kind of situaion. I kept feeling like I was going to wake up and it be a really good dream. I'm glad I was awake.

It was surreal and boring. It seemed like the game was decided after 10 minutes, and the rest was just a long slow bloodletting. I have to imagine that Falcons Fans were the only people enjoying that game yesterday.

2. That had to be one of the worst performances of any team I ahve ever seen by the Oakland Raiders. They were absolutely pathetic. I don't want to take anything away from the great play of the Falcons, but dang, they stunk. I can't remember a NFL team that performed worse than they did. If I were a Raiders fan, I would be very furious.

We've pounded some bad teams this year, but none looked anywhere close to as bad as the Raiders. At first I was a little upset we didn't go for the jugular, but it became obvious to everyone that the Raiders were never a threat to score. We were going for it on 4th down from midfield. The worst performance I've ever seen from a professional team.

3. Matt Ryan is the real deal. See my other thread this morning on what I think of this kid. He ran the no-huddle like a champ. The accouncers kept saying he was confused as he marched the team up and down the field. They were the confused/clueless ones. Ray was hot.

He just impresses me more and more each week. I'm having to bite my tongue constantly now, I'm so giddy that I just know I'll make some dumb proclamation and end up jinxing the team.

4. I understand the conservative play calling in the second half, but the game got MORING. Mularkey should have used the second half as an opportunity to open up the playbook and give Ryan more experiencw with new plays/formations.

It looks like we did run some new formations (Ryan in Shotgun with Douglas and Norwood in the backfield), but they were mostly running formation. But the only thing that was going to get the Raiders in the game was a defensive score. No reason to push it against a team that couldn't move the ball at all.

5. The defense played great. It's hard to tell how great since the Raiders were so bad, but it was a definate improvement. I hope they maintain this enthusiasm agains the Saints.

At one point I was saying, "either the Falcons are playing the best coverage in history, or Russell and the Raiders just suck out loud and with feeling." Turns out it was a little of one and more of the other.

6. Is there no better unemployed tackle in the league than Wayne Gandy? Really? Really?

Dude is slow. Real slow. I hope it was just knocking the rust off, but I'm not too confident in him.

7. There is a God. It was proven yesterday. Our prayers were answered, and Adam Jenkins was deactivated. Douglas needs more practice at the position, but he at leaste did nothing terribly stupid.

Amen

[vafalconfan]

I'm with you on the surreal part!..kind like the first half of the Lions game when you almost could not believe what you were watching. I am loving it!

[Same Ol Falcons]

Is it just me or do ALL of our punt returners seem to be way out of position when the ball starts to come down? Are teams kicking that poorly or are we putting our returners in the wrong place on teh field to catch the ball in the first place? Maybe in practice Koenan is kicking the ball further than the rest of the league's punters and our guys have yet to adjust accordingly.

Perhaps this is something that we need to look at the Special Teams coach for not just the guys back returning the punts.

Which is crazy because Mike Smith is a Special Teams monster

[Demetrius Dew]

I'm with you on the surreal part!..kind like the first half of the Lions game when you almost could not believe what you were watching. I am loving it!

Yeah I agree, I have yet to be disappointed in this team this year they have fought hard every game and have not given up. That is all I ask for as a fan.

[michaelgee]

it wasn't just a win, it was a Reckoning.

[Icarus2.0]

It was beyond embarrassing for them when Snelling was picking up 1st downs in the 4th like it was a BOGO sale. There should have been some kind of mercy rule.

[Same Ol Falcons]

it wasn't just a win, it was a Reckoning.

You just got the brain turning

It's not revenge he's after....it's the reckoning

[Icarus2.0]

Even MORE embarrassing was Deangelo pulling the ref aside after that first touchdown and arguing his point for 2 minutes. The ref kept shooing him aside. Have a little dignity.

[delaigle]

4. I understand the conservative play calling in the second half, but the game got MORING. Mularkey should have used the second half as an opportunity to open up the playbook and give Ryan more experiencw with new plays/formations.

I was kind of thinking that after you had the game pretty much won you would want to go plain Jane on your play calling so as not to show too much to N.O. I was glad to see them give some game time reps to Snelling and others though, it can't hurt to have those guys ready if needed. I thought I heard the announcers say Snelling was the NFL's leading ST tackler, is that right?

[michaelgee]

You just got the brain turning

It's not revenge he's after....it's the reckoning

my favorite movie, Tombstone

DHall, you're no Daisy at all!

[michaelgee]

Even MORE embarrassing was Deangelo pulling the ref aside after that first touchdown and arguing his point for 2 minutes. The ref kept shooing him aside. Have a little dignity.

I was laughing, nobody wanted to hear Hall's excuses

[Rev_Hal]

4. I understand the conservative play calling in the second half, but the game got MORING. Mularkey should have used the second half as an opportunity to open up the playbook and give Ryan more experiencw with new plays/formations.

I was kind of thinking that after you had the game pretty much won you would want to go plain Jane on your play calling so as not to show too much to N.O. I was glad to see them give some game time reps to Snelling and others though, it can't hurt to have those guys ready if needed. I thought I heard the announcers say Snelling was the NFL's leading ST tackler, is that right?

I think that by showing more in this game would give future opposition more to have to prepare for. But at this point, teams just can put 8 in the box and hope Ryan won't beat them. Once that backfired on the Raider defense, they folded like a cheap lawn chair.

[EvilMeetsInsane13]

It was a good win. I'd argue that the Raiders played poorly on offense instead of saying we played well. I'll take it though.

This isn't college football. We kind of took our foot off the gas in the second half, but we don't need style points. Let's just maintain the lead and get out of Oakland without any injuries.

Matt Ryan was again impressive, as was the entire offense. I think that might have been the most accurate he's been so far. He got a lot of people involved in the offense. Michael Turner is still impressive as well.

[Theyhateme : )]

The TDs that Ryan threw to Jenkins were absolutely "PERFECT".....WOW

[putnam6]

It was a good win. I'd argue that the Raiders played poorly on offense instead of saying we played well. I'll take it though.

This isn't college football. We kind of took our foot off the gas in the second half, but we don't need style points. Let's just maintain the lead and get out of Oakland without any injuries.

Matt Ryan was again impressive, as was the entire offense. I think that might have been the most accurate he's been so far. He got a lot of people involved in the offense. Michael Turner is still impressive as well.

As much as I would have liked to see them run up the score,backing off was the right thing to do. Plus after doing 3 shots of tequila for every Falcon TD 1 shot for every Falcon field goal as was feeling kind sleepy anyway.I thought I was going to have to get more limes at halftime.

[foreverfalcon]

Even MORE embarrassing was Deangelo pulling the ref aside after that first touchdown and arguing his point for 2 minutes. The ref kept shooing him aside. Have a little dignity.

That was my favorite highlight of the day!

[phattywankenobi]

3. Matt Ryan is the real deal. See my other thread this morning on what I think of this kid. He ran the no-huddle like a champ. The accouncers kept saying he was confused as he marched the team up and down the field. They were the confused/clueless ones. Ray was hot.

I was confused by their comment until the other announcer corrected him and said it is intentional. The same announcer would give credit on the play to Norwood when it was Roddy or sometimes Turner, arguing a call that was clearly going to be over turned. Funny how some announcers come out sounding bias and their commentary is somewhat dogging the Falcons and at some point could only shower them with praise.

Hey at least the refs seemed to have their contacts in this week.

[yippiefan]

Is it just me or do ALL of our punt returners seem to be way out of position when the ball starts to come down? Are teams kicking that poorly or are we putting our returners in the wrong place on teh field to catch the ball in the first place? Maybe in practice Koenan is kicking the ball further than the rest of the league's punters and our guys have yet to adjust accordingly.

Perhaps this is something that we need to look at the Special Teams coach for not just the guys back returning the punts.

I miss Joe D.

[jstammer]

It was beyond embarrassing for them when Snelling was picking up 1st downs in the 4th like it was a BOGO sale. There should have been some kind of mercy rule.

And Snelling was getting those yards with 11 men in the box!

[AngryPez]

And Snelling was getting those yards with 11 men in the box!

That was the best part about the way we ran out the clock. Having done this will be a huge confidence booster in short yardage situations for the rest of the year. Imposing your will on a defense is a contagious thing. Once you have done it, you believe you can always do it.

Success for an offensive line as a lot to do with confidence and attitude. Both of those got a big boost yesterday.

[SCfalconfan]

1. First and foremost, did this game seem surreal to anyone else? So many times over the years, we have been on the losing end of a game like this. It felt really strange to be on the winning end of this kind of situaion. I kept feeling like I was going to wake up and it be a really good dream. I'm glad I was awake.

2. That had to be one of the worst performances of any team I ahve ever seen by the Oakland Raiders. They were absolutely pathetic. I don't want to take anything away from the great play of the Falcons, but dang, they stunk. I can't remember a NFL team that performed worse than they did. If I were a Raiders fan, I would be very furious.

3. Matt Ryan is the real deal. See my other thread this morning on what I think of this kid. He ran the no-huddle like a champ. The accouncers kept saying he was confused as he marched the team up and down the field. They were the confused/clueless ones. Ray was hot.

4. I understand the conservative play calling in the second half, but the game got MORING. Mularkey should have used the second half as an opportunity to open up the playbook and give Ryan more experiencw with new plays/formations.

5. The defense played great. It's hard to tell how great since the Raiders were so bad, but it was a definate improvement. I hope they maintain this enthusiasm agains the Saints.

6. Is there no better unemployed tackle in the league than Wayne Gandy? Really? Really?

7. There is a God. It was proven yesterday. Our prayers were answered, and Adam Jenkins was deactivated. Douglas needs more practice at the position, but he at leaste did nothing terribly stupid.

Opening up the playbook when its not needed only gives future opponents film to scout on. I'd rather keep any so far unseen wrinkles hidden until we need them. We definitely didn't need them yesterday.

[Rev_Hal]

Opening up the playbook when its not needed only gives future opponents film to scout on. I'd rather keep any so far unseen wrinkles hidden until we need them. We definitely didn't need them yesterday.

I understand that, but this turned out to be nothing more than a practice game for the Falcons. We should have opened the playbook a little in the 2nd half and let Ryan gain more experience. But I see both sides.