State of the Falcons and Other Notes About the NFC

Thanks for nothing, Tampa Bay. Thank you other NFC-ers (Saints, NY Giants) for losing and therefore keeping our playoff hopes alive. Green Bay, please don't go on a run and make the playoffs. Pretty please?

I have a "Why the Falcons' Season is Over" post on deck, but I'll save that because Falcons fans will probably be tortured for quite a while given that we are still (technically) very much in the mix for a playoff spot. We could even win the division. There's no need to be hysterical about imagined problems. We have plenty of real problems.

This week, the Falcons' main problem is that we lost against the lowly Browns - at home. That's unacceptable. There's plenty of blame to pass around. Let's get started.

I have about had it with Jim Mora. You would think the anemic, predictable and irrational play calling (Throw a bomb on 4th and 1? Really?) would be bad enough, but it's his infuriating shuck and jive, snake oil salesman attitude about the whole thing. After our loss on Sunday, Jim Mora said the following:

We are 5-4 and we have lost two in a row. A lot of people would say the ship is
sinking, but I don't believe it. A matter of fact I am jacked up. I think this
is what the NFL is all about. It is about having to fight. It is a dog fight. My
dad used to always say, 'Every week is a dog fight; the season is a dog fight.'
We are in a dog fight and I love it. I thrive on it. I love it. It makes you
feel alive. I could not wait to get to work today.

This dude is absolutely crazy. He must be having a nervous breakdown. And he was all chipper and everything at the press conference. I wanted to kick him in his teeth. Mora loves being 5-4? Well, I love being in the playoffs and I think most Falcons fans would agree with me. I think our goals are incompatible and the chances of Mora and the Falcons parting ways soon are growing exponentially.

A lot of talking heads are holding Michael Vick responsible. He was not perfect, but don't let his stats mislead you about the real issues with the team. Michael Vick's one true mistake in the game was fumbling the ball late in the fourth quarter. His ball "protection" is awful and he simply has to concentrate more than that, especially on critical plays. Mike Vick also needs to be more accountable and generally be more of a leader. His post-game comments included the following.

This is disappointing. I could have done more. I take full responsibility
on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe I could have made more
plays.

"Maybe" you could have made more plays? That's putting it lightly. Vick also indirectly blamed another player for getting a late holding penalty and the coaches' predictable play calling. All true. However, he should either accept absolute responsibility or start calling people out. No half stepping. Notwithstanding, Michael Vick continues to display improved skills. Michael Vick IS throwing accurately. Our receivers just suck. Balls were being dropped all afternoon. (Fuck you, Roddy White. I don't care if you did decide to play the role of a wide receiver on Sunday. Even though I saw you get physical with a corner to make a critical catch, fuck you.)

Even though Vick usually has no reason to be confident in the receiving core, he has to control his frustration better so that he can potentially correct issues in the passing scheme during the game. He basically throws to a receiver until they drop a couple of balls. When he realizes that no one can catch, he starts forcing the ball to Alge Crumpler or Warrick Dunn, which leads to turnovers or failed plays. The team has to do better than that. What was particularly troubling about the Browns game was that the play calling seemed to reinforce Vick's frustration. Vick and the coaches have to stick with the offensive strategy (though there's no evidence that we actually have one) and have to give the receivers a chance to get in rhythm.

Matt Schaub, our back-up quarterback, got a standing ovation when he had to come into the game for one play (he overthrew a pass). That's ugly, Falcons fans. Real ugly.

We continue to be decimated by injuries. We've lost DE Patrick Kerney for the season. Punt returner Allen Rossum, God bless him, had to play cornerback in addition to his punt returning duties. He has speed and plays every down, but it was a stretch to ask the 5'8" Rossum to cover the 6'4" Kellen Winslow. The Falcons will be holding open tryouts in Centennial Park this week.

The Browns, just like other teams, continue to openly disrespect our defense. The Browns went for the TD on 4th and goal instead of kicking a field goal during the 1st quarter. That's a sign of disrespect. They got the TD. They must have watched last week's game against the Lions, where Detroit DID THE EXACT SAME THING! The Browns also threw deep balls on our secondary at will. We can continue to expect that from other teams.

Thank God for Morten Anderson. Our 46-year old place kicker is our only consistent bright spot as we travel to Baltimore on Sunday.