cooperbh Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I've been hearing the "C" word being thrown around a lot lately. It's pure nonsense.In order for there to be a choke, there has to be pressure. So, where would the pressure have been coming from in Sunday's game against the Saints?Was this game a must-win? Not even close. Even if it were, the Falcons under Mike Smith have won their fair share of these types of games during the regular season. It's only in the postseason where they have consistently come up short in must-win games.Was the team desperate to get its first ever victory against the Saints during the Smith era? Nope. Been there, done that. Twice. There was no monkey on anyone's back here.Did this game take place on a "big stage?" Nah. Just another 1:00pm kickoff. Besides, the Falcons have amply proven so far this season that the big stage doesn't bother them, as they are 2-0 in nationally televised night games to date.Was there pressure to stay unbeaten in the regular season? Possibly. Of course, that pressure had been there over the last few weeks as well and the Falcons had handled it just fine. And even if it were a factor, the Falcons certainly aren't the first team to succumb to such pressure. In fact, only two teams in NFL history haven't. Whatever the case, it's hardly anything to worry about going forward.The reality is that Sunday's game against the Saints was just another hard-fought division road game in which we ended up on the losing side of things. Nothing more, nothing less. We may have team weaknesses. We may have not played as well as we could have. But we certainly did not choke. If anyone has choked, it is all the knee-jerk, drama queen fans on these boards who built up a meaningless regular season game as the end-all be-all and then proceeded to totally meltdown when the team came up four points shy of the victory. Rise up, people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 CHOKED!!!??? Gee whiz! Talk about silliness. We lost a good game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 We choked on the goal line alright ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I think those who where expecting us to blow them out are the ones who think we choked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 It was a choke. Mike Smith chokes against the Saints because he has the team scared of them, It doesn't mean the end of the world, it doesn't mean we can't win in the playoffs, but it's a concern,and a mental hurdle we have to get over.We can all say "we don't care what anyone thinks", but when you can't log onto one sports site that doesn't some type of headline about it, it can get pretty aggravating.We choked, It was a big loss that could have implications. If the Saints turn the season around, we will all think differentlly.It was a bad loss. We should be pissed about it, and do something about it in a couple weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF89 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Christ its Wednesday are we playing the Saints this week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis York Morgan Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 People listening to too much skippymcgee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butcher of Bankhead Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 we choked butt its time to move on now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raysnill1 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 this game was like the Packers game last season. it was a statement game. we failed to make the statement that this wasn't the team the Packers destroyed in the play-offs by getting beat at home after altering our draft and philosophy because of that thrashing. this was a statement game to show the Saints that this was a different team, even though they didn't have their head coach and one of their main weapons. so while you may not view it as a choke, why should we think that this team won't indeed choke again in the play-offs. me personally, I don't think we'll choke but I don't have any indication that we're a different team yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperbh Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 We choked on the goal line alright ......No, we sucked on the goal line. Big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 No, we sucked on the goal line. Big difference.I suppose, LOL, I guess it is better to suck than to choke, but sometimes the two things kind of go together.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brasky Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 We didn't choke, we didn't handle our business either, but we didn't choke. Just didn't play up to our ability and potential for the entire 60 minutes. Lets hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the ***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperbh Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 this game was like the Packers game last season. it was a statement game. we failed to make the statement that this wasn't the team the Packers destroyed in the play-offs by getting beat at home after altering our draft and philosophy because of that thrashing. this was a statement game to show the Saints that this was a different team, even though they didn't have their head coach and one of their main weapons. so while you may not view it as a choke, why should we think that this team won't indeed choke again in the play-offs. me personally, I don't think we'll choke but I don't have any indication that we're a different team yetDo you get a trophy for winning these so-called "statement" games?If so, why aren't you hoisting up our "Beating-Payton-Manning-On-Monday-Night-Football" trophy?Or our "Beating-Andy-Reid's-Eagles-On-The-Road-After-A Bye-Week" trophy?Or our "Beating-America's-Team-In-Front-Of-America" trophy?Every week is always some sort of HUGE season-defining test for the Falcons, according to the drama queens on this board. It's been that way since that first game against the Chiefs in "hostile" Arrowhead Stadium. Of course, once the test is passed, it is immediately forgotten.So, why does this supposed "statement" game against the Saints carry any more weight than the many statement games we've already won this season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperbh Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 Christ its Wednesday are we playing the Saints this week?See the post above yours. According to some, the Saints game has torpedoed our postseason hopes and possibly even our chances of making the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DixieTwister Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Choked is not the word I would use. Breakdowns yes.There were too many. The Ivory touchdown comes to mind. The guys that had a shot at stopping or slowing him were pretty sloppy like the stiffarm at the end. And I damned sure wouldn't be bragging if I was an aints fan. There was plenty of sloppiness from them as well. Respectable score at the end and glad it's behind us. Time to move on and Rise Up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brasky Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 See the post above yours. According to some, the Saints game has torpedoed our postseason hopes and possibly even our chances of making the playoffs.That's not what I said dumbass. I said it could potentially be a bad thing to have the Saints in the playoffs. I know it's hard for you to grasp that some people aren't trying to polish the turd we laid on Sunday like you and others, but don't twist what I said to try and make your point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Choked????Dude this was a loss of Biblical Porportions.God Breathed Life into Man.The F$#@! Falcons breathed new life into tha Aints season.Now the Mark of the Beast is running amuck in the NFL.We may need to Crucify Micheal Turner.Just Saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supes™ Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 It was a choke. Mike Smith chokes against the Saints because he has the team scared of them,C'mon, man. You don't really believe that, do you? You really think Roddy, Matt, Spoon and the boys are askeered of the Saints? That's like believing in the boogey man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brasky Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 God BGave Man the Breath of life.The F$#@! Falcons breathed new life into tha Aints season.Werd!Case Closed.F(((K! the Tardinals.End of Rant!Could you please stop posting like a ******** 13 year old girl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimus*Crimes Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 It was a choke. Mike Smith chokes against the Saints because he has the team scared of them, It doesn't mean the end of the world, it doesn't mean we can't win in the playoffs, but it's a concern,and a mental hurdle we have to get over.We can all say "we don't care what anyone thinks", but when you can't log onto one sports site that doesn't some type of headline about it, it can get pretty aggravating.We choked, It was a big loss that could have implications. If the Saints turn the season around, we will all think differentlly.It was a bad loss. We should be pissed about it, and do something about it in a couple weeks.GET. OVER. IT. Jesus man, you sound like a 12 year old girl who didn't get a cell phone for christmas. One game. That really doesn't even matter in the grand scheme... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperbh Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 That's not what I said dumbass. I said it could potentially be a bad thing to have the Saints in the playoffs. I know it's hard for you to grasp that some people aren't trying to polish the turd we laid on Sunday like you and others, but don't twist what I said to try and make your point.Apology accepted in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF89 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Could you please stop posting like a ******** 13 year old girl?I'm like 75% sure Karst is goofing around (at least I hope so ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Could you please stop posting like a ******** 13 year old girl?Sure thing, just soon as the Falcons stop being the "Pedigree Poodles" of the NFL.Soon as Turner takes the blinders off.Soon as Ryan and Koetter stop trying to run it up the gut in short yardage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 We are a good team who lost to our division nemesis. That just happens. Ask the Patriots how that one goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Do you get a trophy for winning these so-called "statement" games?If so, why aren't you hoisting up our "Beating-Payton-Manning-On-Monday-Night-Football" trophy?Or our "Beating-Andy-Reid's-Eagles-On-The-Road-After-A Bye-Week" trophy?Or our "Beating-America's-Team-In-Front-Of-America" trophy?Every week is always some sort of HUGE season-defining test for the Falcons, according to the drama queens on this board. It's been that way since that first game against the Chiefs in "hostile" Arrowhead Stadium. Of course, once the test is passed, it is immediately forgotten.So, why does this supposed "statement" game against the Saints carry any more weight than the many statement games we've already won this season?Beating the Saints in 08 would've given us the division and a home playoff game.Beating the Saints in 09 might've changed their playoff trajectory, given us the division.Beating the Saints last year might have given us the division and kept us at home as well.The Saints are now a true NFC contender, because of this, and the current state of the NFC, gives them a chance to turn it around.There might not be a trophy for beating them, but it does us no favors in the attempt to getting a trophy.It's the most important matchup of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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