There is a Harsh Truth to Face

[Peyton]

First of all, let me give my standard rant after a disappointing loss.

If yesterday's game is truly affecting your mood, get a life. I mean that in a nice way. I mean, get a girlfriend, get a boyfriend, get a job, get a hobby, get a new toy...heck.....get some problems and get some stress.

Just get something to make you understand that the Falcons truly have no impact on your life other than entertainment. It will help you take disappointing losses so much better, but you still get to have great joy when they win.

Now, on to my point. This Falcons team probably isn't going to be a great team on either side of the ball, but I think they will be pretty solid on both sides of the ball.

The truth is that the 2008 season was a miracle season where a lot of the guys played way above their heads and the team capitalized on an extremely weak schedule.

The Falcons really have one elite player on offense in Roddy White. At this point in his career, Tony Gonzalez still has very nice hands, but he isn't a player that can get vertical. If he were, we would have seen it by now. He has had the best career of any TE ever, but he is probably only the 6th or 7th best TE in the league now.

Michael Turner and the Falcons run game is just flat streaky. Most games against good defenses, they struggle. Turner put up a monster season in 2008 with the help of some rediculous numbers against bad defenses and good games against mediocre defenses. The truth is that he struggles in virtually every game against good run defenses, so nobody should have been surprised by what they saw yesterday.

Not only that, but I think those 370 carries in 2008 obviously took something out of Michael Turner.

Matt Ryan, as much as we all love him, needs to contintue to read defenses after the ball is snapped rather than determine where he is going with it before the snap. He is looking over defenses, going "hey this is the look we were looking for where Roddy will be open on the deep out", and then going with his preread decision.

Teams have figured that out about him, and they are baiting him. It began last year and the Steelers did a great job of it yesterday. They only got the one pick but they had Roddy covered completely on a bunch of those outs.

An encouraging aspect from yesterday is that Douglas and Weems made some plays. Ryan needs to read the coverages and give those guys more opportunities to do so.

Matt Ryan will get there, but he's not close yet. Mularkey needs to be more pro active in getting it fixed. If Ryan is leaning on the outs to Roddy too much, stop calling plays where he runs that pattern and make Ryan do something else.

The point I am getting at is that this offense is not the elite offense that some fans think that it is. I don't think it's going to be this year. It's just pretty good - probably finish the year somewhere between 12th and 16th in offense.

On defense, there are reasons to be very optimistic but they still have to prove they can get pressure on a QB with 4 rushers. Sean Weatherspoon has the speed and instincts to be a star in this league, and that is a reason to be truly excited. Owens looked great out there yesterday, an the Steelers hardly looked Grimes way.

Dunta looked like he got overpaid by about 40 mil, but at least the Falcons seem to have a deep secondary, even if Dunta is the third best CB on the team.

The Falcons defense has individual components that make us all believe they can become an elite defense, even me, the 2010 Skeptic of the Year. But it's going to take some time for these guys to gel, and frankly, it might take them some time to figure out who the best players are.

Which brings me to my next point. BVG has never shown anything to indicate that he is a guy who can develop an elite NFL defense. So I'll have to see it to believe it.

So I am inclined to think the Falcons defense will be pretty solid this year, but not spectacular - somewhere between 9th and 12th in points scored and total yards.

Pretty solid does not typically mean a Super Bowl contender, but this schedule is so weak, that the Falcons can get to the playoffs. And once you are there, anything can happen.

So, anyway, take all this spewage for what it is worth. Being overly optimistic does no harm to most, but for some of you, I think it makes the disappointment of a loss much worse. So, those are the folks I am trying to help.

And I am here to help.

[Knight of God]

I think that you and I went over this at length. I guess in truth I am starting to mellow a little on how much I put into the game emotionally.

I still like to debate and even flat out argue, but I'm very competetive. LOL.

To be honest this isn't a team who can take it all the way and for anyone who believes that we are elite...sorry to break it to you.

This is why I don't care for terms like "building" and "dynasty". It either is or isn't. To be truthful this all feels like "Groundhog's Day" in that this feels very familiar only...I'm doing something else anyways.

I don't trust TD no more than most others and just don't like his "build through the draft" philosphy. If that worked for everyone then everyone would do it. We have a couple of gems, but you have to get players to win and you have to win to "build" a dynasty.

Its really that simple.

[Herr Beast]

Matt Ryan, as much as we all love him, needs to contintue to read defenses after the ball is snapped rather than determine where he is going with it before the snap. He is looking over defenses, going "hey this is the look we were looking for where Roddy will be open on the deep out", and then going with his preread decision.

I agree with most of your points but especially with this one. Game preperation and analyzing lineups is an important part of the game but playing the game is what wins it. It seems to me that Matt Ryan puts too much effort in game preperation and not enough in actually playing the game, which is usually more about identifying the best options that opens after the snap.

There was one play when he threw to #88 in triple coverage and got nearly picked of while #84 was wide open because he cleary beat his guy.

[Peyton]

I don't mean this thread as a criticism of TD in any way whatsoever, I'd like to make that clear. I think his plan is coming along, I just think the 2008 season put unreasonable expectations on the progress.

[cali_fan420]

Someone needs to take their own advice and get a life. It's Monday. Time to focus on Arizona and a possible 1-1 record. Pathetic fan base I swear.

[Peyton]

Someone needs to take their own advice and get a life. It's Monday. Time to focus on Arizona and a possible 1-1 record. Pathetic fan base I swear.

Thanks for the feedback.

[supremedarius]

There are two problems with us on O. The first one is something happened when Tony Gonzo was brought in. Say what you want but this offense BASICALLY condensed to fit him into our offensive plan. Don't understand why that happened but something is wrong their from an offensive standpoint.

Secondly, Mularkey is holding us back and REGRESSING Ryan. Something is misfiring here between the two. Honestly, how is that he was able to read defenses his rookie year but not anymore. I understand players can lock onto WRs at times and continually feed him the ball but something has happened..Its like, Mularkey instructed him to go with his first read and thats it.

Who knows whats goes on behind clothes doors. I will say this, when we go no huddle, the Offense is alot better when he is calling the plays..

Something has to happen where the offense is tweaked and altered to fit our players to there best skillset..

Not utilizing Norwood enough on the edge. Really not working the middle of the field deep. You know whats funny, the middle of the field was open after about 20-30 yards because they sat on every thing short. No adjustments are made...

[Knight of God]

There are two problems with us on O. The first one is something happened when Tony Gonzo was brought in. Say what you want but this offense BASICALLY condensed to fit him into our offensive plan. Don't understand why that happened but something is wrong their from an offensive standpoint.

Secondly, Mularkey is holding us back and REGRESSING Ryan. Something is misfiring here between the two. Honestly, how is that he was able to read defenses his rookie year but not anymore. I understand players can lock onto WRs at times and continually feed him the ball but something has happened..Its like, Mularkey instructed him to go with his first read and thats it.

Who knows whats goes on behind clothes doors. I will say this, when we go no huddle, the Offense is alot better when he is calling the plays..

Something has to happen where the offense is tweaked and altered to fit our players to there best skillset..

Not utilizing Norwood enough on the edge. Really not working the middle of the field deep. You know whats funny, the middle of the field was open after about 20-30 yards because they sat on every thing short. No adjustments are made...

What makes it so bad is that what you're saying is actually textbook football. Very true.

[LADBABY]

Our offensive line outperformed in 2008 and

led us to the conclusion a rebuild was

not needed. Dahl got run over by a guy

with a 2 on his back yesterday. Maybe we

have some prospects on board who can help

but, help appears to be needed.

[Tax-Falcon]

Someone needs to take their own advice and get a life. It's Monday. Time to focus on Arizona and a possible 1-1 record. Pathetic fan base I swear.

There's something deliciously ironic about this post. I daresay you're one of the people that Peyton was talking about.

[Peyton]

There are two problems with us on O. The first one is something happened when Tony Gonzo was brought in. Say what you want but this offense BASICALLY condensed to fit him into our offensive plan. Don't understand why that happened but something is wrong their from an offensive standpoint.

Secondly, Mularkey is holding us back and REGRESSING Ryan. Something is misfiring here between the two. Honestly, how is that he was able to read defenses his rookie year but not anymore. I understand players can lock onto WRs at times and continually feed him the ball but something has happened..Its like, Mularkey instructed him to go with his first read and thats it.

Who knows whats goes on behind clothes doors. I will say this, when we go no huddle, the Offense is alot better when he is calling the plays..

Something has to happen where the offense is tweaked and altered to fit our players to there best skillset..

Not utilizing Norwood enough on the edge. Really not working the middle of the field deep. You know whats funny, the middle of the field was open after about 20-30 yards because they sat on every thing short. No adjustments are made...

Yeah, I would totally agree with that. Even if the problem might be that he is not being hard enough on Ryan, it definitely appears to be true.

Ryan kind of reminds me of when I would get a new version of Madden every few years and since my old plays might not be there, instead of trying to master a whole new playbook I would just find 2 or 3 plays that I liked that would work pretty well. I then would win games just by mastering 2 or 3 passing plays.

Works great in Madden, not quite as good in the real NFL.

[wonderboy09]

I think Peyton and alot of you have over analyzed this team after one game, on the road, against a tough defense in a tough environment.

I agree, this team isn't elite - YET. We have the talent to get there. Remember, if we gel in November and December that's when we could be super dangerous. Give this team some time, I think this year they will still do some great things.

[FlyDirty]

Good post and some needed perspective! I agree that we could "develop" into a team that might squeeze into the playoffs. I was looking forward to us cruising to it without any late season anxiety, but it looks like our team isn't going to go easy on our nerves this season. I keep repeating to myself that this is just entertainment...with a bunch of guys making lots of more money than any of us do...but it still hurts.

I'm trying like heck to come away with something encouraging from this game. Wondering if all the posters that demanded we have a solid # 2 receiver are right. And I'm wondering about the running game of course...I mean it did take time for Turner to warm up last year.

Knew it was going to be an ugly stepchild of a game, but didn't think it would be this ugly. Hideous. What are some positives besides our "D" except the "no grace under pressure" choke at the end?

If we keep playing this ugly and without any zip and risk whatsoever...then I don't know if we'll get beyond an 8-8 or 9-7 season at best. That's mediocre and will not get us into the playoffs except 1 out of every 4 years or so. If this is the process, then I want a new process. Geez. Anybody out there that can restore the faith with some good old fashioned reason.

[Knight of God]

I think Peyton and alot of you have over analyzed this team after one game, on the road, against a tough defense in a tough environment.

I agree, this team isn't elite - YET. We have the talent to get there. Remember, if we gel in November and December that's when we could be super dangerous. Give this team some time, I think this year they will still do some great things.

Have you looked at the schedule and some of the teams that we play? We play a very similar defense next week with Joey Porter and Haggans and two huge safeties...

[Peyton]

I think Peyton and alot of you have over analyzed this team after one game, on the road, against a tough defense in a tough environment.

I agree, this team isn't elite - YET. We have the talent to get there. Remember, if we gel in November and December that's when we could be super dangerous. Give this team some time, I think this year they will still do some great things.

Actually, I analyzed the team all year last year. Yesterday is just an extension of what we saw last year. It was confirmation of exactly what I expected to see.

Yes, Pittsburgh has a great defense, but there were still people here predicting the Falcons would blow them out. It was always a bit silly.

[supremedarius]

Yeah, I would totally agree with that. Even if the problem might be that he is not being hard enough on Ryan, it definitely appears to be true.

Ryan kind of reminds me of when I would get a new version of Madden every few years and since my old plays might not be there, instead of trying to master a whole new playbook I would just find 2 or 3 plays that I liked that would work pretty well. I then would win games just by mastering 2 or 3 passing plays.

Works great in Madden, not quite as good in the real NFL.

I agree with the analogy of Mularky to Madden. I think Ryan is hard on himself enough. I think it has more to do with the route combinations and routes themselves. I just do not think you do that good at reading defenses and going through your progressions your rookie year and take a step back every year. I understand its the first game but the O still looks the same and we have no made any GAMEDAY adjustments...

I think our Offense with the deep ball or intermediate routes comes from the PA passing game. Do not think Mularkey has a passing attack from deep throw perspective that does not include a play action fake. His offense is predicated around a good run game and i do not think we will see one this year.

[cali_fan420]

If anything, these threads will provide lots of LOL's later when they are bumped.

[phattywankenobi]

The Vikings had a number of starters out on defense. Brees should have had 4TD's Thursday. They sputtered the 2nd half. Are they just a mediocre offense or is it the same phenomena that occurs every single year in the NFL. The first 2 to 3 weeks teams are feeling things trying to gel etc. Anybody who plays the Pick Em games predicting which teams will win knows the first 3 weeks are very unpredictable.

[FlyDirty]

If anything, these threads will provide lots of LOL's later when they are bumped.

I really hope so.

[Knight of God]

Actually, I analyzed the team all year last year. Yesterday is just an extension of what we saw last year. It was confirmation of exactly what I expected to see.

Yes, Pittsburgh has a great defense, but there were still people here predicting the Falcons would blow them out. It was always a bit silly.

Well, it looked like the same team even on paper.

[Peyton]

The Vikings had a number of starters out on defense. Brees should have had 4TD's Thursday. They sputtered the 2nd half. Are they just a mediocre offense or is it the same phenomena that occurs every single year in the NFL. The first 2 to 3 weeks teams are feeling things trying to gel etc. Anybody who plays the Pick Em games predicting which teams will win knows the first 3 weeks are very unpredictable.

Yes, but this game was very predictable. This game went exactly the way a lot of us thought it would.

Look, the Falcons are going to light up bad defenses, and there are several on the schedule. But good defenses are often going to make this offense look average, or even mediocre.

[sdogg]

There are two problems with us on O. The first one is something happened when Tony Gonzo was brought in. Say what you want but this offense BASICALLY condensed to fit him into our offensive plan. Don't understand why that happened but something is wrong their from an offensive standpoint.

Secondly, Mularkey is holding us back and REGRESSING Ryan. Something is misfiring here between the two. Honestly, how is that he was able to read defenses his rookie year but not anymore. I understand players can lock onto WRs at times and continually feed him the ball but something has happened..Its like, Mularkey instructed him to go with his first read and thats it.

Who knows whats goes on behind clothes doors. I will say this, when we go no huddle, the Offense is alot better when he is calling the plays..

Something has to happen where the offense is tweaked and altered to fit our players to there best skillset..

Not utilizing Norwood enough on the edge. Really not working the middle of the field deep. You know whats funny, the middle of the field was open after about 20-30 yards because they sat on every thing short. No adjustments are made...

Well said. I think more and more, people are realizing that the game has passed Mularkeys scheme by. Hes and the team are good vs mediocre to bad teams, but we get out coached and out played by the good to elite teams.

[Peyton]

Well said. I think more and more, people are realizing that the game has passed Mularkeys scheme by. Hes and the team are good vs mediocre to bad teams, but we get out coached and out played by the good to elite teams.

How many offenses have you ever seen that don't throw bombs, screens, or slants?

[ballfan]

If yesterday's game is truly affecting your mood, get a life. I mean that in a nice way. I mean, get a girlfriend, get a boyfriend, get a job, get a hobby, get a new toy...heck.....get some problems and get some stress.

Just get something to make you understand that the Falcons truly have no impact on your life other than entertainment. It will help you take disappointing losses so much better, but you still get to have great joy when they win.

This is the most important thing on the Board today.

I love football and love watching the Falcons, but Monday the sun will come up either way. If a loss causes you to say something to your kids or loved ones that you regret, please take a weekend off and visit a homeless shelter.

[sdogg]

Actually, I analyzed the team all year last year. Yesterday is just an extension of what we saw last year. It was confirmation of exactly what I expected to see.

Yes, Pittsburgh has a great defense, but there were still people here predicting the Falcons would blow them out. It was always a bit silly.

This is what a lot of fans are not comprehending. They think that some of us are having a knee jerk reaction to 1 game. No, this goes back to most games of last year....wait wait. It actually goes back to the Arz playoff game. Then it carried over to the 2010 preseason and now game 1.