BankerBird™ Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 LinkyFalcons to bus to CharlotteBy D. Orlando LedbetterThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionFLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons are going to ride buses to their game in Charlotte on Sunday."We will get there quicker by taking a bus," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.The bus trip will take about three hours up Interstate 85 from the team's facilities in Hall County."Our support staff has done this for years, and they have always beat us to the hotel and always beat us back," Smith said. "We felt like to take the wear and tear off of our bodies, we wanted to get there the quickest way as possible."The bus trip wasn't a big hit at first."Everybody started laughing, but when Coach told us we were going to get there a little quicker, then everybody was like ‘oh yeah, that's the better route to go," wide receiver Roddy White said.While an assistant coach in Baltimore, Smith said the Ravens would take a bus to games in Philadelphia and take the train to games in New York.Mid-term gradesFalcons quarterback Matt Ryan was not ready to play professor and pull out the grade book for mid-term grades.The Falcons are 5-3, sitting at the same spot as last season after playing a much more difficult schedule."I'm not sure you can put a letter [grade] on it," Ryan said. "We've done a pretty good job, but we have a lot of improving to do, myself included."Ryan has thrown 10 interceptions through eight games after throwing 11 last season. Part of the reason is that the Falcons are asking the second-year player to do more.One good sign for Ryan and the offense is that the running game has come around over the past two games."Our receivers are doing a great job of downfield of blocking; that's opened some things up in the secondary," Ryan said. "[Michael Turner] is making some plays, too. The line is opening up some holes, but he's making some guys miss and running some people over. When you have a back like that, it gives you a chance every week in the running game."Playoff pictureWith New Orleans (eight wins), Minnesota (seven) and Dallas (six) off to rocket starts in the NFC, the Falcons at 5-3 are not sure how many games they'll need to make the playoffs. They are three games behind the undefeated Saints with eight to play."I think we have to just keep winning at home," White said. "That's the big thing. If you can get all eight at home and squeak out two road games, which it is hard to win on the road in this league, if you can get that done, then most likely you can make the playoffs. That's what we are trying to get done. We have to go out on the road and get a ‘W' this Sunday."Gonzalez settling inTight end Tony Gonzalez is happy how his first season with the Falcons is shaping up."I wish we had won some more games, but we are going in the right direction," Gonzalez said. "We have started to hit our stride. The running game has definitely opened up some of the things we want to do on the offensive side of the ball."Gonzalez is quick to note that he won two games with Kansas City last season."It's a lot more fun when you win," Gonzalez said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganGrafixx Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 DeAngello Hall will also be following in his Lambo. For some reason though, I doubt Mike Smith will offer to ride shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It makes alot of sense to take a bus. Putting up with an airline timeline for that short of a trip is murder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlFalc78 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Brilliant idea!!Actually I think it will give some of those guys time to sit and gel even more...could be a great "team building" experience for the younger guys too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskokas finest © Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 If the theme of divisional matchups is throwbacks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rightsaidfred Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It makes alot of sense to take a bus. Putting up with an airline timeline for that short of a trip is murder.Absolutely. By the time they ride the bus to ATL airport, they could be about 1/4 of the way to Charlotte. Add the TSA, etc, etc, and it's gonna save time and butt fatigue - which will help win the game. It's tough to win with tired butts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlsport Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It makes alot of sense to take a bus. Putting up with an airline timeline for that short of a trip is murder.Their usual flights are private charters, not on the airlines timetable. It makes sense because the airport is about an hours drive in the opposite direction from the Branch, then it takes a long time to get a slot at Hartsfield, by the time all that has happened the bus is almost to Charlotte. I thought they had been busing to Carolina all these years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff_Man Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Considering how far Hartsfield is from the Branch, I think it makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Their usual flights are private charters, not on the airlines timetable. It makes sense because the airport is about an hours drive in the opposite direction from the Branch, then it takes a long time to get a slot at Hartsfield, by the time all that has happened the bus is almost to Charlotte. I thought they had been busing to Carolina all these years.I know they have their own private charter, but you still have to put up with plane checks, air controllers telling you when to take off, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncja Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Charlotte to Atlanta is only about 3 hours for me. Not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phattywankenobi Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I honestly can't believe they have been flying to Charlotte all these years. Maybe it's a good bonding opportunity. They can sing some camp songs or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BankerBird™ Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 I honestly can't believe they have been flying to Charlotte all these years. Maybe it's a good bonding opportunity. They can sing some camp songs or something. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe play a few rounds of UNO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlacksburgHokie Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Just hope nothing happens to them on the trip. I know that flying isn't 100% safe either, but it seems like there have been several high-profile bus accidents over the past few years involving either sports teams or the people that follow them to games... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supes™ Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Just hope nothing happens to them on the trip. I know that flying isn't 100% safe either, but it seems like there have been several high-profile bus accidents over the past few years involving either sports teams or the people that follow them to games...That's why Falco is hitch hiking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKH5785 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Would be neat to get beside them on the interstate and let them see the Falcons flags flyin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finally Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 That is not a bad drive from FB on up. I have done it countless times over the years. I have done it 3 times this year alone.It makes sense and it saves money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I always thought they took a bus to close games anyway lol. It's logical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BankerBird™ Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 Would be neat to get beside them on the interstate and let them see the Falcons flags flyinI'm working right now on trying to make that happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finally Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I always thought they took a bus to close games anyway lol. It's logical.It is logical but in the past we probably had too many prima donnas to ever sell on the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordtobigbird Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 10 interceptions? jesus.. hes going to have to dramatically cut it just to not hit 15 or 20. that aint good.hopefully he goes on a 10 TD - 0 INT streak or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnFalcon Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) I will be purchasing a school bus; painting it red and black and traveling to carolina. Edited November 13, 2009 by ConnFalcon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceReville Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I just want to know who will be the unfortunate one to get the seat by the toilet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 It is logical but in the past we probably had too many prima donnas to ever sell on the idea.Very true. Virginia Tech players come to mind. D.Hall wouldn't even ride to Atlanta in one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOEinPHX Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Not that it matters much, but its interesting to know how the TSA gets involved with away-game travel. For the outbound journey, they send a contingent of inspectors out to FB, do their screenings before the team boards the buses, send a representative along on each bus to make sure nothing hinky happens, then escort the team straight to the plane. No muss or fuss inside the airport that way.For the trip home, a TSA contingent sets up outside the visitors locker room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbendon Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 John Madden must be riding with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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