The Low-Flying Falcons

[Firstiary]

The whole team seems to be infected with a cautious, be-good-not-great mentality, and it shows time and again when we lose close games to great teams.

In how many aspects of the game is this team too conservative?

Mike Mularkey. 'nuf said.

Mike Smith. Every time we need to go for it on 4th to try to steal a game, Mike seems to punt.

Matt Ryan. Matt seems like he might be a little too concerned with his stats to me. I remember a game last year (though I forget which one) where we needed a third down conversion or we were going to lose and he rolled out and threw the ball out of bounds instead of taking a risk. And even when he calls the plays in the no-huddle, he usually ends up not taking shots downfield in favor of throws to TG or things like out patterns to White. It's like he's too afraid to make mistakes.

Draft picks. We seem to take character guys more than high upside guys.

Defense. Bend don't break.

Thomas Dimitroff. Rather than do something like trade for a CB or WR who could put us over the top, we get a 'safe' acquisition in Dunta and that's about it. Maybe there weren't many options, but he didn't create many either.

I still see this as a 10-6 team and I have high hopes for making the playoffs this year, but with our coach, QB, GM, defensive coordinator, and offensive coordinator all seeming too conservative, I'm looking for something to change around this franchise.

[Level]

Fire Mularkey.

Falcons win.

The end.

I also agree with the character guys over high upside guys. But after the Vick fiasco I'm not to sure they wanna take a chance on past offenders. :wacko:

Edited September 14, 2010 by Level

[PokerSteve]

The whole team seems to be infected with a cautious, be-good-not-great mentality, and it shows time and again when we lose close games to great teams.

In how many aspects of the game is this team too conservative?

Mike Mularkey. 'nuf said.

Mike Smith. Every time we need to go for it on 4th to try to steal a game, Mike seems to punt.

Matt Ryan. Matt seems like he might be a little too concerned with his stats to me. I remember a game last year (though I forget which one) where we needed a third down conversion or we were going to lose and he rolled out and threw the ball out of bounds instead of taking a risk. And even when he calls the plays in the no-huddle, he usually ends up not taking shots downfield in favor of throws to TG or things like out patterns to White. It's like he's too afraid to make mistakes.

Draft picks. We seem to take character guys more than high upside guys.

Defense. Bend don't break.

Thomas Dimitroff. Rather than do something like trade for a CB or WR who could put us over the top, we get a 'safe' acquisition in Dunta and that's about it. Maybe there weren't many options, but he didn't create many either.

I still see this as a 10-6 team and I have high hopes for making the playoffs this year, but with our coach, QB, GM, defensive coordinator, and offensive coordinator all seeming too conservative, I'm looking for something to change around this franchise.

I agree with 99% of what you said here. In fact the only thing I disagree with is your estimation that the Falcons can go 10-6. Considering the way they played this first game, I'm thinking it's going to very difficult to finish better than 8-8. And if we have injuries or get disheartened, more like 6-10.

[Firstiary]

I agree with 99% of what you said here. In fact the only thing I disagree with is your estimation that the Falcons can go 10-6. Considering the way they played this first game, I'm thinking it's going to very difficult to finish better than 8-8. And if we have injuries or get disheartened, more like 6-10.

Here's how I think we go 10-6.

Win these five games:

vs SF

@ CLE

vs TB

@ STL

vs CAR

Then win 5 of these 10:

@ CAR

@ TB

vs AZ

vs NO

@ SEA

vs BAL

vs GB

@ PHI

vs CIN

@ NO

I don't pencil any of those games in as losses at this point. GB just lost their RB, PHI has QB issues, we play the Bengals and Ravens and Packers in Atlanta, and we're going to be ready for payback against the Saints.

Edited September 14, 2010 by Firstiary

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

I have no reason atall to think the Falcons are going to beat Saints...none atall. That's 2 losses right there.

[Firstiary]

I have no reason atall to think the Falcons are going to beat Saints...none atall. That's 2 losses right there.

Are you twelve?

[Don Solo]

I have no reason atall to think the Falcons are going to beat Saints...none atall. That's 2 losses right there.

Well, considering that a 41 year old QB playing on one good ankle with me and you at WR almost beat the Saints on their home field right after they hung a banner, you might want to rethink that stance just a little bit....

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

Well, considering that a 41 year old QB playing on one good ankle with me and you at WR almost beat the Saints on their home field right after they hung a banner, you might want to rethink that stance just a little bit....

Wait, are you saying the Falcons are in the same league with the Vikings? Saints are going to be stifled on offense all season? Favre's age makes a difference and on one ankle? How could you tell?

Edited September 14, 2010 by SAINTªANGER

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

Are you twelve?

Do you know football and what a statistically elite team is from a statistically average team?

What part of your team screams championship anyway? All championship teams can boast either an elite offense, elite defense or both. What exactly do the Falcons bring to the table?

Edited September 14, 2010 by SAINTªANGER

[Firstiary]

Do you know football and what a statistically elite team is from a statistically average team?

What part of your team screams championship anyway? All championship teams can boast either an elite offense, elite defense or both. What exactly do the Falcons bring to the table?

Okay, you are twelve.

Where did I call the Falcons a statistically elite or "championship" team? You're the fourth obnoxious Saints fan in two days who has the reading comprehension skills of a monkey.

Edited September 14, 2010 by Firstiary

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

Okay, you are twelve.

Where did I call the Falcons a statistically elite or "championship" team? You're the fourth obnoxious Saints fan in two days who has the reading comprehension skills of an adolescent monkey.

Well if the Falcons can't match up with the Saints statistically, are you saying they're going to win on emotions? At least be honest and say it's because it's a division rivalry, the Falcons may play "over their heads" against the champs and that anything can happen. No need to throw insults in an attempt to dismiss my point.

[Firstiary]

Well if the Falcons can't match up with the Saints statistically, are you saying they're going to win on emotions? At least be honest and say it's because it's a division rivalry, the Falcons may play "over their heads" against the champs and that anything can happen. No need to throw insults in an attempt to dismiss my point.

What's up with the prima donna act from Saints fans recently? And the complete lack of class?

Since you think, "I have no reason at all to think the Falcons are going to beat Saints...none at all."

Then I have no reason at all to respect your intelligence ... none at all. You've made a statement that is beyond stupid.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

This poll must be about last season so I voted yes. Only one game in against Pitt is hard to judge. Although, Coach Smith's 3min+ Fg try @ the 5yd line ticked me off. Last year Atl took a step back offensively(playbook)..even before the injuries.

[Geneaut]

I like conservative.

We had conservative with Bennett ... good things happened. Then the Smith's wanted 'Ohh Shiny' and hired Henning because his offense was the flavor of the moment and had won a SB in Washington.

That didn't work so well.

Tried a few other things that didn't work ( went ultra conservative with the Swampfox ).

Then we tried that fancy smancy 'Run and Shoot' with the belt buckle guy. He wasn't conservative at all.

That didn't work so good ... so we hired his Assistant Coach who had and even fancier Run and Shoot. That crashed and burned when his 'Super Rocket Cannon Arm' QB and him had a meltdown on the sidelines.

Then we tried a really conservative guy with a veteran QB, smash mouth RB, and a good DC ... rode that to a SB appearance, but even that derailed. Drafted that 'Ohhh Shiny' QB and had fun for awhile, but it never developed into anything.

Then we tried the supposedly 'bright young hip' coach with the WCO, and the 'Ohh Shiny QB'. Rode that to the NFC Championship game. But the veteran, balanced eagirls clipped our wings.

'Bright young hip' coach imploded, so we hired 'Ohhh Bright Shiny Super Offensive Genius' college coach. Except 'Ohh Bright Shiny QB' went for the excitement and gusto with his side business and derailed that. Super Genius coach fled town in the dark of night.

I like Conservative Smitty. It's not always exciting to watch his style, but it has simply just worked so far for the most part.

That's just me. 'Ohh Shiny' never seems to work for long ( i.e. the 'Ohh Shiny' coach in NY is starting to resemble his Dad lately ... fun in short doses, but maybe not so much fun long term'

All this is just my take on it. I'm a conservative guy ( grew up watching Vinced Dooley don't you know ). I'm sure most of you all consider guys like me fossils. No harm there if you do.

Edited September 14, 2010 by Geneaut

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

What's up with the prima donna act from Saints fans recently? And the complete lack of class?

Since you think, "I have no reason at all to think the Falcons are going to beat Saints...none at all."

Then I have no reason at all to respect your intelligence ... none at all. You've made a statement that is beyond stupid.

Well, let's be open minded here...it's not like I'm talking about the Lions; I'm talking about the world champions that currently sit atop all the power rankings and has beat the Falcons 7 of the last 8. Your team is currently pedestrian at best, and may be in danger of going into a tail spin if they let this disappointing loss go to their heads. Why should I believe in any way we would split the series at this point other then your team beating mine on pure emotion?

[Firstiary]

Good comments, Geneaut. I was hoping to hear from someone with your point of view.

It's not that I particularly hate our overall approach, although I think it could keep us in the good-but-not-great realm.

But it bothers me that within that overall conservative approach, we tend to make even more conservative choices in-game on top of it. It's like this cautious mentality permeates everything we do.

[Firstiary]

Well, let's be open minded here...it's not like I'm talking about the Lions; I'm talking about the world champions that currently sit atop all the power rankings and has beat the Falcons 7 of the last 8. Your team is currently pedestrian at best, and may be in danger of going into a tail spin if they let this disappointing loss go to their heads. Why should I believe in any way we would split the series at this point other then your team beating mine on pure emotion?

The more you open your mouth, the more you prove my point about you.

You said:

"Your team is currently pedestrian at best ..."

That means you think the Falcons are at the very best undistinguished and ordinary. At best, you think they are average, and quite possibly it sounds like you think they are worse. In practical terms that means you think they are at best an 8-8 team.

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

[Geneaut]

Good comments, Geneaut. I was hoping to hear from someone with your point of view.

It's not that I particularly hate our overall approach, although I think it could keep us in the good-but-not-great realm.

But it bothers me that within that overall conservative approach, we tend to make even more conservative choices in-game on top of it. It's like this cautious mentality permeates everything we do.

I definitely agree its systemic. The Front Office down to play calling appears to be conservative. Smith plays things close to the vest, and Dimitroff appears to as well. I always thought Mularkey's smash mouth approach seemed to favor Smitty's way of coaching.

I also think its filtered into Ryan's mindset. He seems to be far more unwilling to take chances than he did in 2008. In another forum I ssuggested he should go back and look at tapes of himself in college and in 2008 when he seemed to be a bit more of a gunslinger and willing to take a few chances. That habit seems to be mostly absent now in him, and sometimes I think that is to our detriment.

No one is ever going to coach JUST the way I want to see the game coached, but at least to me Bennett, Reeves, and Smitty are the closest to it.

There's really no comparing TD to any of our previous GMs. He's head and shoulders above them, but we'll see if thats good enough to make us great, or just better than our history.

Smitty may not be the guy that gets us there. I'm seriously suspecting Mularkey is definitely not LOL.

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

The more you open your mouth, the more you prove my point about you.

You said:

"Your team is currently pedestrian at best ..."

That means you think the Falcons are at the very best undistinguished and ordinary. At best, you think they are average, and quite possibly it sounds like you think they are worse. In practical terms that means you think they are at best an 8-8 team.

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

What do you currently consider your team if not average? Your whole team was disappointing in that loss from top to bottom. Yes your defense and coaching wasn't that impressive either considering what happened when the game was on the line. Give me and your fellow fans something other than a hope and a prayer so we could have something to work with here. Heck, your coach even pulled a hamstring on the sideline.

[Geneaut]

Well, let's be open minded here...it's not like I'm talking about the Lions; I'm talking about the world champions that currently sit atop all the power rankings and has beat the Falcons 7 of the last 8. Your team is currently pedestrian at best, and may be in danger of going into a tail spin if they let this disappointing loss go to their heads. Why should I believe in any way we would split the series at this point other then your team beating mine on pure emotion?

You are a Saints fan ... I wouldn't think you'd ever suspect we'd split with y'all.

However, based on how we played you guys last year I think we at least have a fighting chance to split with you this year. I also believe we are far better than our game against Pitt makes us appear to be.

Time will tell.

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

You are a Saints fan ... I wouldn't think you'd ever suspect we'd split with y'all.

However, based on how we played you guys last year I think we at least have a fighting chance to split with you this year. I also believe we are far better than our game against Pitt makes us appear to be.

Time will tell.

That's all I hear from your fans is how close the games were played last season. I agree, but I also know certain teams played "over their heads" and still lost in the end. Take for example the bottom feeder Rams. They played the Saints like it was their superbowl and made it competitive. Also, it's a different season with upgrades on defense to the Saints that has already revealed itself. Not to mention Saints going into these games with a different mind set, a "champion mind set" after winning the superbowl. Indeed time will tell.

[Firstiary]

That's all I hear from your fans is how close the games were played last season. I agree, but I also know certain teams played "over their heads" and still lost in the end. Take for example the bottom feeder Rams. They played the Saints like it was their superbowl and made it competitive. Also, it's a different season with upgrades on defense to the Saints that has already revealed itself. Not to mention Saints going into these games with a different mind set, a "champion mind set" after winning the superbowl. Indeed time will tell.

You must be a huge fan of masturbation.

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

You must be a huge fan of masturbation.

Mental masturbation is more like it. I get laid otherwise.

[Magic Man]

Well if the Falcons can't match up with the Saints statistically, are you saying they're going to win on emotions? At least be honest and say it's because it's a division rivalry, the Falcons may play "over their heads" against the champs and that anything can happen. No need to throw insults in an attempt to dismiss my point.

For one of the games last year, we had a backup QB and RB in the game, and still almost pulled it out. In rivalry games, nothing is a given. If the Taints are so all-powerful, why didn't they go 16-0 last year, and march their ***@s right on into the playoffs and capture the crown of being the first 16-0 team to win the bowl? Because no one is perfect, and in this league, every game is a fight. This isn't like college where a powerrful offense can make it look like your picking on ******** kids for 4 quarters.

[Firstiary]

After 25 votes, 84% Yes. That's about what I thought it would be.