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I realize that this is the same headline I used for the Falcons’ first victory, but as I have no indication that the Falcons will win often enough for it to become cliche, I’m fine with that. If they prove me wrong, I’m more than happy to come up with something more creative for future victories. I apologize for my extended absence. After the Falcons’ loss on MNF a couple of weeks ago, the team had an off week last week. I saw that as an opportunity to take a few days off from posting, and the day job got busy and ended up turning those few days into a couple of weeks. It also didn’t help that the Falcons’ play has been so bad that nobody wants to go to the games anymore, resulting in no sellout yesterday and thus no television coverage. I was pleased, however, to see the Falcons leading pretty much from start to finish as I watched a very good Packers-Chiefs game. From what I gathered from various sources of articles and commentary, it appears that the Falcons held it close to the vest with Harrington and garnered the win over one of the other worst teams in the league with a good running game and solid defense. This should have been the formula all along, but against better teams the youth on the o-line and Harrington’s ability to get easily rattled have rendered it a futile plan. During my hiatus, it was announced that Leftwich will only be out for 3-4 weeks. It will interesting to see what happens at the QB position when he is again available. I also missed posting on all of the drama with Deangelo Hall calling out the Falcons organization, and specifically Petrino, over the firing of Grady Jackson. I agree with Hall in substance; I don’t really understand the release of Jackson, a leader on defense who has already signed with the Jaguars since his release. I don’t approve of Hall’s public denouncement of a sitting head coach, though. A coach is in a position of leadership and must be respected. Petrino, for his part, needs to assert that leadership. He also needs to communicate better with the team regarding these kind of decisions so that players are not caught unawares by these type of moves. Hall is the only one being a douche about it, but other players are hurt by it, including not insignificantly veteran and team leader Alge Crumpler (who has incidentally been hurt and will be out for several more weeks). We should be back on a regular posting schedule from now on, so stick with us to see whether we decide to follow the draft pick race or the playoff race. Next week’s game with Carolina will be crucial in making that decision.
It’s become cliche to complain about Sunday’s game on Monday. So I’m just gonna move straight to my new feature. Yeah, that’s right. After yesterday’s display, including Leftwich’s injury (looks like he’s out for the year, by the way; the return to the Harrington era will be the subject of a future post) and another late-game Falcons choke, I am at least following the draft race (even if not quite yet actually rooting for the #1 spot; the Dolphins are after all still winless). Here’s where we stand now:
Looking pretty good for that Brohm pick now.
Stick with me to see if Leftwich is our savior. First Quarter Update: Falcons hanging; Leftwich looks ok; not magnificent, but not sucking either. Atlanta 3, New Orleans 7. Second Quarter Update: Leftwich has led the Falcons on three long, impressive drives that have chewed up most of the first half clock. The first two ended in field goals, but Leftwich caps this last one off with his first TD pass of the year to Roddy White. Atlanta 13, New Orleans 7. Third Quarter Update: And just like that, Leftwich is hurt and Harrington is back in. Meanwhile the Saints have taken the lead. Oy. Atlanta 13, New Orleans 14. Fourth Quarter Update: A resilient drive by Harrington, overcoming several penalties and hitting Roddy White on a beautiful pass down to the 7, setting up a field goal to give the Falcons the lead. Now it’s time for the defense to step up (like they’ve already done a few times this game) and hold it. Atlanta 16, New Orleans 14. Note: Leftwich left the field in a cart and Harrington has the team in his hands again for the foreseeable future. Bush should have been kept out of the end zone, but wasn’t. And for some reason the Saints go for two and convert. Oy. Atlanta 16, New Orleans 22. 2:00 Warning: Harrington has done a good job of avoiding pressure and keeping this drive alive, but now the Falcons face a long 4th down near midfield to keep the game alive. 1:44 After a five yard penalty for delay of game on Dunn for spiking the ball, the Falcons punt instead of going for it. A first down for the Saints and it’s over. Falcons take their first time out. And the Saints pick up a first. Likely over.
I don’t think we’re quite to the point where we’re actually actively rooting for the #1 draft pick for next year, but we’re close. For when that time comes, here’s a little preview of the race, and by preview I mean the current standings:
I’m still harboring hopes of an 0-16 Dolphins finish. Wouldn’t it be awesome if that happened in the same year that the Patriots matched the Dolphins undefeated season? So I guess at least as long as that dream is alive, the answer to the question in the lede is yes.
As I stated previously, I don’t know if this will make much of difference. But as I’ve also said previously, we don’t really have a lot to lose, so what the heck. Bring on the Leftwich.
As the New York Times points out, the Falcons’ appearance on MNF tonight is strangely an anniversary rematch between the Falcons and the Giants; the two teams played each other exactly a year ago (on a Sunday then of course). The Giants beat us then, and of course are expected to again. The NYT article also points out that Harrington technically has a better QB rating than Eli Manning, for whatever that’s worth (not much):
Deadspin doesn’t expect much of a game, but that’s ok, because we have a cup of Dunkin’ Donuts handy. So we’ll be following the rumbling train of inconsistency that is the Atlanta Falcons down the tracks deep into this Monday Night. Stay with us for updates. First Quarter Update: Falcons open up with a decent drive and cap it off with a 47-yarder from 47-year-old Morten Andersen. Atlanta 3, New York 0. In classic Falcon form, the Falcons actually force a three and out on the first Giants drive, but allow it to continue by roughing the punter. The Giants then capitalize on that error to take the lead; Atlanta 3, New York 7. Fantastic 67-yard explosion from Jerious Norwood puts the Falcons back on top; Atlanta 10, New York 7. This time the Falcons show no signs of stopping Eli and his gang; Atlanta 10, New York 14. Follow the updates for the rest of the night after the jump.
The Giants don’t have anything like that on their side tomorrow night, but they have won 3 games in a row. And we’re, um, us. We just hope that it doesn’t become the crap show that we’re afraid it might.
We haven’t heard from you lately.
“Titans defensive end fined for hit on Falcons” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] “QB Leftwich does not practice” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] “Falcons assistant knows Manning well” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] “Falcons in damage control mode for Monday game against Giants” [AP via phillyBurbs.com] “Giants at Falcons” [Orlando Sentinel]
While I don’t necessarily agree with any of the analysis in the article, to me the theme tying all of the issues together and the underlying problem is the offensive line. I’ve never seen a QB consistently under so much pressure as Harrington (and Leftwich when he came in) on Sunday. When Harrington has had time to throw, and even at times when he really hasn’t, he has gotten some things done. But when’s he’s pressured like he was Sunday, you get picks. And then you get that lost look in his eyes in the one drive after his pick-six interception that gave the Titans the lead. And then add a rusty Leftwich to the mix, and you get passes airmailed over everyone and the inability to take advantage of being handed the ball inside the 20 twice with a chance to tie the game. Also not helping is the general lack of a running game; once again mostly the fault of the offensive line. And when the offense is not functioning well, you end up with stalled drives too far away from the goalposts and long field goal attempts (and since we have Father Time and the inaccurate Koenen kicking for us, we often miss those). So, while initially I was all set to do a post about whether Harrington or Leftwich will emerge as the starter for the Falcons (it’s still Harrington for now, according to Petrino), I’m not sure that it matters if we can’t resolve our o-line issues. Whoever is in will struggle until we do, and thus the team will struggle. Settle in for a long year. |
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