Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

SoCalFalconFan · 12-09-2012, 07:25 PM

I'm not a "sky is falling" kind of fan. I never have been. But we should have some real concerns, as fans of this team, going forward into the playoffs. Here are some of my thoughts. And they've been being formed over the entirety of the season. They aren't an overreaction to the loss today.

1. Although I hate the Falcons naysayers and talking heads, they all appear to be correct about them. And it pains me to say that.

2. This team is disciplined and talented. They are well coached, but they cover a lot of philosophical flaws by making fewer mistakes than most teams. I'm actually beginning to lose faith in Mike Smith's ability to take us the distance. How do you let your team put up a goose egg in the first half of a game against one of the league's worst defenses? Light a fire under some asses... give an inspiring pep talk... use a timeout to kill some of the other team's offensive momentum and give your D a break... SOMETHING! Don't be so entrenched in your own methodology that you forsake opportunities to rally your team in new ways. I also see no sign of a killer instinct on offense, and that, I believe, falls back on Smith, as well.

3. I see nothing... NOTHING that says the Falcons will win a playoff game. If that had been the Giants or the Packers today, we would have lost by 28 points or more. Our lines aren't dominant enough to make a post season run. Period. End of story. Just prepare yourselves now. As much as we all let ourselves believe this could have been the year, we still need a solid draft and FA period to shore up our lines.

Flame away. Slap me in the face and tell me to snap out of it. I've been burned so many times. I can't believe this year will be any different after a game like that. I'm a die hard fan and I hate facing reality sometimes. But that's what this post is; it's me facing reality.

BTW - The Giants are now up 35 - 13 over the Saints, early in the 3rd quarter. Next week is going to be ugly.

***phocis850*** · 12-09-2012, 07:52 PM

We didn't play worth a crap today. Those games happen.

With all this pressure of barely winning games and the media breathing down our throats about barely winning those that shouldn't even be close, this was a good loss. We can refocus. We just need to win 2 games and with the Giants next, it will be a "prove it" kinda game.

Nothing went right today. Even a 2pt conversion that was called terribly was our final nail. Then that call where Carolina challenged a catch and it was called in favor of them was pure horse shit. It proved that we weren't going to win the game and pull it out in the end.

I'm just like you though. I'm waiting on that complete game. After 5 years you think it'd come by now.

Jesus · 12-09-2012, 08:46 PM

On the plus side the giants got a huge blow out win today which means they will lose next week. Or so the last few weeks displayed. The Seahawks are going time win it all.

juraitwaluzka · 12-09-2012, 09:07 PM

(12-09-2012 07:25 PM)SoCalFalconFan Wrote: I'm a die hard fan and I hate facing reality sometimes. But that's what this post is; it's me facing reality.

The reality is that the playoffs are a month away and a lot can change in that amount of time. Its not like the coaches and players are going to just kick back and do nothing.

Obviously if we play like we did today will lose no matter who we play but that doesn't mean we will.

McUser · 12-09-2012, 09:24 PM

(12-09-2012 09:07 PM)juraitwaluzka Wrote: The reality is that the playoffs are a month away and a lot can change in that amount of time. Its not like the coaches and players are going to just kick back and do nothing.

Obviously if we play like we did today will lose no matter who we play but that doesn't mean we will.

Yep. No predicting the future, but you can't use past playoff experiences to dictate future performances. A win is a win, whether its week one or week 18. There was a piece on grantland by bill barnwell about that.

ggp · 12-09-2012, 10:12 PM

(12-09-2012 09:07 PM)juraitwaluzka Wrote: The reality is that the playoffs are a month away and a lot can change in that amount of time. Its not like the coaches and players are going to just kick back and do nothing.

It is difficult to see how the coaches are going to improve the run offense. Our interior OL is weak. The combination of McClure and Konz is disasterous. I can not believe that we do not have a better RG than Konz. Reynolds? If he was better than Konz, the upgrade was not visible to the naked eye.

So here is the question: Will Tommy draft an upgrade at RG? Or, will he sit tight and hope that Reynolds comes around?

ATLBound · 12-09-2012, 10:21 PM

(12-09-2012 10:12 PM)ggp Wrote: It is difficult to see how the coaches are going to improve the run offense. Our interior OL is weak. The combination of McClure and Konz is disasterous. I can not believe that we do not have a better RG than Konz. Reynolds? If he was better than Konz, the upgrade was not visible to the naked eye.

So here is the question: Will Tommy draft an upgrade at RG? Or, will he sit tight and hope that Reynolds comes around?

I hate to keep using this but it fits....

The Giants run offense, run defense, O-line and pass defense was absolutely atrocious to end the regular season last year. All 4 of those things picked up steam in the playoffs.

The Packers run offense was non-existent 2 years ago and then came James Starks.

I'm not saying it will happen, but just know it can and honestly speaking its not up to us to "see" it. Its really all about your trust in the coaches and players to see it and adjust it. Some may not, but I do.

hitwriter · First Game.. 10.1.67 Atl vs. Green Bay

(12-09-2012 07:25 PM)SoCalFalconFan Wrote: BTW - The Giants are now up 35 - 13 over the Saints, early in the 3rd quarter. Next week is going to be ugly.

The Giants and the Saints outcome has nothing to do with how the Giants and the Falcons will perform next week but yes the both sides of the ball need to be prepared for next week!

The Falcons seem to fall flat with time off... the mini vacation they just had proved it again... They need a bye as a top seed but they better not take anytime off.

AUTiger7222 · 12-09-2012, 10:47 PM

Falcons tend to be flat when Smitty rewards them with time off.

Xanthri · 12-10-2012, 01:39 AM

(12-09-2012 10:47 PM)AUTiger7222 Wrote: Falcons tend to be flat when Smitty rewards them with time off.

Could not agree with you more AUTiger! i know we have our differences on chat sometimes....but you see a lot of the same things I do....everytime we give extra days off....it looks like our guys go out partying and forget how to play.....I want the number one seed and want the playoffs to go through ATL....but if it means us playing flat. I would rather lose another 3 weeks in a row and then have our guys come out hungry and desperate......

We are better in a hurry up....we need to go to no huddle the rest of the year and be in our 2 minute mode the whole game......maybe then we could get a third down converted.....