When No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas tore an ACL in training camp and was lost for the season, Falcons fans — rightful so — started to worry a bit about the offense.
Douglas was a key part of the team’s attack as a rookie and, with a Pro Bowler at tight end in 2009, figured to get more looks from quarterback Matt Ryan.
As the dust settled from Sunday’s 31-3 victory over Buffalo, the stat sheet revealed a player who continues to fill a void at the position.
Veteran Marty Booker, signed after Douglas’ injuiry, caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown — the 37th of his career and first with the Falcons. Combine his efforts with players like Eric Weems and Jerious Norwood catching the ball out of the backfield and the Falcons have a way to fill in production in light of injuries.
Some other things to think about on a Monday morning during the final week of the season…
- Tony Gonzalez’s calf injury that forced him out of Sunday’s game after one catch.
- Can Michael Koenen (head) and/or Matt Bryant (hamstring) get healthy and handle kicking?
- Will Kroy Biermann petition the league to change his number to something more kicker-friendly?
- What’s the status of Michael Turner? Will his ankle keep him out of the season finale?
- Ditto for guard Harvey Dahl.
- Can the defense keep up the pressure from the last two weeks (10 points allowed in two games)?
Complete Falcons-Bills Gameday Coverage, AF.com
It was the result many expected between the now 8-7 Falcons and the 5-10 Bills. Relive the action with a little bit of everything from AtlantaFalcons.com. More stats and video highlights available on NFL.com.
If Matt Ryan isn’t Peyton Manning but Eli, is that enough?, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Valid points but, at the end of the day, quarterbacks are judged on wins and losses. Let’s also not forget this is only Ryan’s second game back after turf toe.
Falcons rout the hapless Bills, 31-3, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I spent some time Sunday night looking for the right word to describe the win. Turns out the AJC found a good one: “zany.”
Falcons get by with patches on special teams, ESPN.com
Never let anyone tell you position players in the NFL are overly specialized.
Falcons extend McKay’s contract through 2015, AF.com
A little bit of non-football news on a football day.
Falcons’ Roddy White puts up big numbers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Too bad coaches, players and fans have placed votes for the Pro Bowl. White’s performance Sunday could have put him over the top if he’s on the bubble for his second-straight trip.
Falcons win big with newfound talents, AF.com
One of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen in a football game — a lineman kicking off and a backup quarterback listed as a punter — happened Sunday.
Atlanta Falcons’ cruel and unusual 31-3 rout of Buffalo Bills, Examiner.com
Not a good day to be a Bills fan. Then again, the Falcons still have some work to do to make sure their fan base feels good about this season.
Falcons steamroll overmatched Bills, The Buffalo News
Brian Brohm looked like a quarterback making his first start Sunday. Of course, a pressuring Falcons defense helped that cause.
Falcons’ defense gave ‘a very solid effort,’ Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons defense appears to be ending the season the way it started — forcing turnovers and shutting down opponents.
Falcons Beat Bills In Most Entertaining Game Of 2009, The Falcoholic
The fans were certainly entertained on Fan Appreciation Day.
Keys to Falcons win over Buffalo, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The biggest key to victory can’t be measured: heart.
Adam Krohn: Falcons can shut critics up, The (Dalton, Ga.) Daily Citizen
In 2007 the Buccaneers ended a dubious streak against the Falcons, returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Fitting the Falcons should end their streak in Tampa, perhaps?
6 Comments
hey whats the update on Tony Gonzalez?? and will he play this sunday in tampa?
Coach Smith likely won’t offer any injury update until Wednesday. Gonzalez left the game with a calf injury Sunday. Didn’t seem serious, but we’ll have to see what his practice status is later in the week.
How bout them little CBs. Ol’ Grimes sure can make a play on the ball. I know he caught 2 on a rookie and 1 on a 3rd stringer but wow! Good job! Next week ought to be a great game. Most of the Bucs will be playing to keep their job and Tha Birdz are playing for b2b season pride. I’m excited about the growth and change for next year.
The Bucs game will be a great football game to watch. Both teams have decent run defenses, except that Tampa has a hot running back in Cadillac Williams, who is light years better than our “Snellwood” combination.
The Bucs have the 11th best pass defense in the league versus our 28th rating.
We have the 13th best passing offense versus their 25th rated passing offense. To me it looks very tough for the Falcons to win in Tampa. We have to pass to win and they have to run. I would rather be in their shoes, if I was playing in this game. A good running game sets up a few play action throws down the field. For us to win, Matt Ryan has to come through and Roddy White has to have another monster game. Watch for TB to double team Roddy most of the game, they’re not rated 11th in the league in pass defense for nothing. Prediction, 16-13 Bucs. Falcons close season at 8-8, just like I predicted.
Why does it seem that the DB’s are doing a better job lately?
we always have trouble with tampa…its gonna be a close one….i think matt ryan should spread the ball around alot..if we do that we have a chance…but if we commit stupid penalties..tampa wins…….it all boils down to no mistakes and no stupid penalties….
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