Spartans Rule
Footballguy
I didn't follow this poll all week but wow, can't believe more than half thought St. Louis would win.I'm not even real high on Atlanta but this looked like the least likely game for an upset.
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St. Louis Rams @ Atlanta Falcons (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chase Stuart
- Start date
M
mojorizin
Guest
bypassed the language filter to make up for the lack of a context filterplease don't circumvent the language filter. ThanksBefore "shut up sore loser" I'd have never said anything. I'm beeyotching because my team is getting it handed to 'em, just like any fan. No, I'm not going to go digging up reference books to back up #### when I'm ranting. If Bulger has a bad game and I say "BULGER SUCKS", I guarantee someone will geek out, look it up and tell me "meeeeeehhhhh, he's actually #3 in the league between November and January in overall passer rating. meeeeeeeeeh"Just let me beeyotch. I don't get personal.
Capella
Footballguy
don't know about the 98% attendance, but whatever..last year there were at least 30,000 Bucs fans at the Falcons-TB game.anyways, like I said, they're the SB rep for the NFC this year. I've been calling it since week 6 or something, not backing off it now. and that's what happens when 8-8 teams face good teams in the playoffs. expect minnesota to get the same treatment tomorrow.
whole-show
Footballguy
I highly doubt that! I will admit the Eagles may win and it is basicaly a coin flip on who will win. It all depends on which team shows up tomorow. Don't get me wrong if the Eagles had TO I would be picking them as the favorite, but without him they just aren't the same offense and they are going up against a very good Vikings offense. It should be a great game, but no way do the Vikes get spanked like the Rams did tonight.
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JaxBill
Footballguy
It shows what's wrong with the blackout policy. The Jaguars have sold within 1,000 tickets of Atlanta and only 2 games have been broadcast locally.The Falcons are running at over 98% for the last three years, 99% over the last two.NFL AttendanceThe Cardinals have been running at around 52% for the past four seasons
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mojorizin
Guest
Again, I'm not looking up the numbers - its a rant when my team is losing - couldn't care less. That said, two years for a 40 year old franchise is hardly impressive, especially when they are there to see a single player.I freely admit I made that comment in reference to all the Braves playoff games with several thousand empty seats. Yes, we've seen it - there is no need to spend an hour digging up statistics.I throw the ##### in there myself to display the depths of my anger. If fake cuss words offend you, I am sorry.
Big Score
Footballguy
You sure about the 2 years sold out thing? I thought we'd been sold out for three years running now?I thought once Reeves let Crystal Chandelier go and announced Vick would be the starting QB, the Georgia Dome started selling out and has been ever since.I could be wrong though.
whole-show
Footballguy
The_Pod
Footballguy
Not sure. I just know that since Art took over I can't get a freakin' seat. So that's been 2 years.Watching the game tonight, I realized that this is Dan Reeve's team. He's the guy that picked up Dunn, Crupler, drafted Vick and Duckett, put the defense in place (ok... he had a crummy D coordinator). Wonder how he feels?
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mojorizin
Guest
I'll be the first to admit its willful ignorance when it comes to raw numbers (I also don't care how many fans the Pocatello Buttknuckles draw either), but that doesn't mean I was wrong. Did anyone in that city care about the Braves when they weren't winning divisions? Even then did it really take a new stadium with all the carnival bells and whistles to get butts in the seats - Absolutely is my guess? The Falcons always played second fiddle anyway and now Vick is a big draw the past three years - I'm well aware of THAT - I would hope you show up to watch the most exciting guy in the league but hes the only reason they were there the past 3 years. Atlanta's NBA draw is putrid (look it up and prove me wrong, whatever, I'm willfully ignorant), and a new NHL team is pretty putrid as well (again, don't know how many and couldn't really care less).I don't think its willfully ignorant to call Atlanta fans "fair weather" and I'm certainly not the only one to do it.
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mojorizin
Guest
:rotflmao: Tied with the Blues, baby!BTW, I actually enjoyed Atlanta Flames Hockey in the 70's, but it was apparently just me and two other guys.
Big Score
Footballguy
I know I did. Used to take the kids to old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to watch Murph, Bruuuuuce Bennedict and our Ace Pitcher, old fat gut himself, Rick Mahler. This was back in 1984 when I first got to Atlanta. Been taking in several Braves games a year ever since.I don't think you really know what you're talking about do you? Have you ever even lived in Atlanta?Have you ever been to Bobby Dodd Stadium in the Fall? Saying Atlanta is a lackluster sports town.
Shlon
Footballguy
St. Louis & Atlanta are very different cities. St. Louis had success in sports long ago & the majority of St. Louis are from St. Louis. Atlanta never really had success in sports until recently & the majority of Atlantans are not from Atlanta but transplants from other cities. So if you were to move to Atlanta, you would still root for St. Louis that's exactly the case in Atlanta, so many people moving here recently you have this type of fanbase. However, Atlanta fanbase is growing & will only get better.
The_Pod
Footballguy
Hardly anybody in Atlanta is from Atlanta. I know. I've lived here all my life. I know about 10 people who are from here -- total. Braves = Good stuff. Had season tickets in the miserable 80s. About 8 rows up from the visitor dugout. It was fun. Football is more fun than baseball as an observer, but Atlanta didn't get exciting in a football sense until Glanville came to town (92? Can't remember). NBA blows. If the Hawks ever go all the way I'll be one of the people who doesn't know and doesn't care.Thrashers are fun. I try to hit 3-5 games a year. But seeing as how hocket tickets are $40 a pop or so, that's the most I'll be going to..There's things wrong with Atlanta sports, but the claim of the fans is the worst one, imo. Pick up and move to another city and tell me you're suddenly a fan of that city's sports teams. It won't happen, and you'd be a flake if you said it did. Atlanta is a transient city right now. Given another generation, we'll have a "home grown" fan base. Right now, we're stuck with a few locals, corporate folk who picked up the company seats, and whatever transplants there are who have their "home" team in for the week.Not excuses, simply the lay of the land down here.
Shlon
Footballguy
The Hawks were the hottest ticket in town at the Omni with Dominique in the 80's, that all changed when Dominique was traded. Braves didn't draw well but after the 13 straight divisional titles we had 10 seasons in top 5 attendance (many top 3). Falcons sold out every game past 3 seasons & this playoff game against rams sold out in 10 minutes. I mean look at New York City (with a population 5 times greater then Atlanta) and they couldn't sell out Yankee Stadium in the 80's!!! The people came back to Yankee Stadium after they started winning again, you gotta win for people to show up.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
I drew them as my team in a playoff pool at work......after tonights game im feeling confident about winning some dough back. I dont give a crap if he only throws for 87 yards...two tds and 119 on the ground is more than enough. he makes it look so damn easy.Atlanta looks damn good (needless to say, LOL). They'll give Philly (or Minnesota) ALL they want. I sold them a little short this postseason. I know St. Louis played like crap, but props to the Falcons.
M
mojorizin
Guest
Great college sports town.Look, since you guys really do take things way to seriously, I'm gonna have to get out the crayons. Its hyperbole, got it? I take the biggest sports knock on Atlanta (that its fans don't give a poop, which yes there is some evidence for and a point debated all over print, tv and radio) and blow it up fat as I am steamed when my team is getting the snot kicked out of them by a team that for the better part of 40 years has been everyone's bye week (please don't point out the 6 times they made the playoffs or whatever it was, I know and if I cared more I'd tell you exactly how many - its more hyperbole, dig?).Its like guys that scream about Elway, or Emmit, or say the Yankees are bums. If you wanna get sticky, please do, but I'm not throwing it out there for friggin debate.I know I did. Used to take the kids to old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to watch Murph, Bruuuuuce Bennedict and our Ace Pitcher, old fat gut himself, Rick Mahler. This was back in 1984 when I first got to Atlanta. Been taking in several Braves games a year ever since.I don't think you really know what you're talking about do you? Have you ever even lived in Atlanta?Have you ever been to Bobby Dodd Stadium in the Fall? Saying Atlanta is a lackluster sports town.
The_Pod
Footballguy
It's spelled "too".Great college sports town.Look, since you guys really do take things way to seriously...I know I did. Used to take the kids to old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to watch Murph, Bruuuuuce Bennedict and our Ace Pitcher, old fat gut himself, Rick Mahler. This was back in 1984 when I first got to Atlanta. Been taking in several Braves games a year ever since.I don't think you really know what you're talking about do you? Have you ever even lived in Atlanta?
Have you ever been to Bobby Dodd Stadium in the Fall?
Saying Atlanta is a lackluster sports town.
M
mojorizin
Guest
It's spelled "too".Great college sports town.Look, since you guys really do take things way to seriously...I know I did. Used to take the kids to old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to watch Murph, Bruuuuuce Bennedict and our Ace Pitcher, old fat gut himself, Rick Mahler. This was back in 1984 when I first got to Atlanta. Been taking in several Braves games a year ever since.I don't think you really know what you're talking about do you? Have you ever even lived in Atlanta?
Have you ever been to Bobby Dodd Stadium in the Fall?
Saying Atlanta is a lackluster sports town.
Man, I hope you were kidding.
The_Pod
Footballguy
It's spelled "too".Great college sports town.Look, since you guys really do take things way to seriously...I know I did. Used to take the kids to old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to watch Murph, Bruuuuuce Bennedict and our Ace Pitcher, old fat gut himself, Rick Mahler. This was back in 1984 when I first got to Atlanta. Been taking in several Braves games a year ever since.I don't think you really know what you're talking about do you? Have you ever even lived in Atlanta?
Have you ever been to Bobby Dodd Stadium in the Fall?
Saying Atlanta is a lackluster sports town.
cracKer
Shawn Culcasi
Since you honestly seem interested...The Falcons all-time postseason record is now 6-7. Their Super Bowl loss in 1998 was the first time that they made it as far as the NFC Championship game in 7 playoff appearances (now 8 playoff appearances).The Falcons all-time record is 239-354-6 (.399). They've lost more games to the Rams than any other (46, 'Niners right behind at 44) and they've picked up the most wins against New Orleans (42).Carolina (14-6), New England (6-4), New York Giants (10-7), New Orleans (42-30) and San Diego (6-1) are the only franchises that have a losing record against Atlanta.The Falcons coach with the most wins is Dan Reeves with 49 (he also has the most losses with 59). The best in terms of winning percentage is Jim Mora Jr. (.688)
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Congrats to the Falcons on the convincing win...it was definitely a successful first year for Mora and he should be proud he made it to the NFC Championship game. There's no dishonor in getting beaten by the Birds at the Linc. 
Big Score
Footballguy
Talk about calling the game before the actual gameI think I nailed every single point right on the head.I think this will end up being a pretty good game with the FalCANs coming out on top.
Reasoning:
Health
QB's...both are as healthy as can be expected, after a full NFL season and each coming back from shoulder injuries sustained relatively late in the season.
RB's for Atlanta are fine. Both Dunn & Duckett are ready to go. Dunn early on will be used heavily to tire out the St Louis D as they'll be chasing the slippery little devil for 3 quarters. Throw in some Vick eye popping scrambles where again the St Louis D is chasing him around, further tiring out the D and then Duckett comes on in the 4th, to lay the hammer down on a dead legged St Louis D.
RB's for St Louis are not enjoying the same level of health as Atlanta's RB's, nor is their duo as good, even when healthy. Nothing against Marshall, but his days as a 1A great RB, are over. He just doesn't have the instant jets in his legs that he used to. I think the knees have just taken too much of a beating over the years. Still a threat in the short passing game, but the days when opponents feared seeing Marshall lined up in the backfield, are over. Steven Jackson looks to be a bona fide stud RB to me. Unfortunately he's dealing with his own knee injury (partially torn meniscus I think) and now to add a little salt to his knee injury, his ribs are pretty sore. That's just not good for a RB. The opposing D is not stupid, on every Steven Jackson run, they'll be angling for rib shots when tackling him.
WR's for Atlanta are healthy....but largely irrelevant. Crump at the TE position is the key to Atlanta's passing game and he's fine. I also think we'll see a fair amount of Dunn in the passing game. More so than we've seen during most of the regular season.
WR's for St Louis...Bruce is dinged with a hip pointer / groin injury. He'll probably start, but one good tackle to the turf could knock him out of the game and even if he plays the entire game, I'd expect that hip pointer / groin to become really uncomfortable by the 4th quarter. Looker, MacDonald & Curtis are all decent WR's, but lets face it, they ain't no Ike Bruce.
D's Atlanta's D is healthy. I really like their #1 draft pick this year, CB DeAngelo Hall. I've been watching the kid since he came back from his pre season cracked shoulder blade and he's been getting better each and every game. Very fluid and he ain't no Deion Sanders when making a tackle. Kevin Mathis is an unsung and unheralded CB for the FalCANs. Solid is the best word to describe Mathis. I love their Safety Byron Scott. That was one of Dan Reeves better picks IMO. They played this guy at CB some, but with the drafting of Hall moved him full time to Safety, his natural position and he has excelled. Getting substantial experience at the CB position has certainly served him well in how he plays Safety. No need to go into Atlanta's Line Backers or their D Line. They're good and they're healthy. Actually I might just mention rookie LB Demorrio Williams. Don't be surprised if you hear his name called tonight, after a sack or a pick. This kid is a player!
Ram's D is not so fortunate health wise. Archuletta has been playing with a back injury which has gotten increasingly difficult to loosen up, as the season has progressed. I remember watching a Rams game early in the season and saying to myself that Archuletta looked like he was going to have one heck of a year. Then I watched a Rams game in like week 11 or 12 and it was like an impostor had taken Archuletta's spot. He does not look like the same player at all. Their other Safety, the ageless Aeneas Williams, is battling his own set of nicks & bruises, which is effecting his level of play . On their D Line back up DE Tyoka Jackson did not practice on Friday and is not expected to play this weekend. DT Jimmy Kennedy after being held out of Wednesday & Thursday practices, finally practiced on Friday and while he is expected to play this weekend despite his foot injury, how much of a push he'll be able to generate and thus how effective he'll actually be, is unknown, especially as the game progresses.
I like Atlanta's return game with Allen Rossum. I think the FalCANs will have good field position all game long, due to their good return game.
I didn't think much at all of the Rams return game in the hands of Arlen Harris to begin with. Now it gets worse, as Arlen Harris practiced on Friday but is not expected to play this weekend. So who will be returning kicks for the Rams? Does it even matter, as their return game sucks anyway?
Anyway, putting all of the above together, while I expect the game to be a good one, I see the FalCANs as the team coming out on top, when it's all said and done.
Ok fellas have at it!
Go ahead and tear up / poke holes in my arguments as to why the FalCANs will win.
Matt_The_Fantasy_Master
Footballguy
Morten Anderson kicks the winning FG again.
