New York Giants notes: Falcons story should sound familiar

by Ed Valentine on Nov 17, 2009 11:20 AM EST in New York Giants News

Reading about the 5-4 Atlanta Falcons these days feels an awful lot like reading about the 5-4 New York Giants.

Matt Ryan is struggling. Michael Turner is hurting. Jason Elam can't seem to make a field goal.

Yep, the Falcons definitely have plenty of things to worry about as they head into a decisive stretch of the season.

Now, at a time when some doubts may creeping into the team psyche, the Falcons face three games over the next four weeks that will likely determine the course of this season.

Coming off a surprising trip to the playoffs last season, the Falcons were convinced this would be the year they finally broke the franchise's streak of never having consecutive winning seasons. A 3-1 start certainly bolstered those hopes, but two wins in the last five games have undoubtedly caused some to wonder if that ignominious streak will continue.

"It's not about just being average," receiver Roddy White said. "A lot of us are going out there saying, 'I've got one job, I'll just do that.'... We've all got to get out there and do more, be more productive."

The Falcons are being vague about the status of Turner, the star running back who has a high ankle sprain.

There is also concern about a sophomore slump for Ryan, the young quarterback who was so impressive as a rookie. He has thrown 12 interceptions already this season, one more than he threw all of 2008. One blogger has even gone so far as to raise a comparison to Michael Vick.

We're all a little queasy about Ryan's slump because of our collective experience with the Falcons' last young phenom signal-caller. Mike Vick's best season was his first year as a starter. He regressed thereafter to the point that his Untergang was a blessing in disguise for the franchise. There is a slight sense of deja vu for Falcons fans with Ryan having played on a very high level as a rookie and then regressing as a second-year player.

Giants notes

The Giants believe they can, and will make the playoffs

"We’ve got the personnel in here to do it," said Jeff Feagles. "We showed we can win a lot of games in a row. We did it at the beginning of the season, there’s no reason we can’t do it at the end."
Eli Manning Transcript
Justin Tuck Transcript

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Comments

As I said in the Falcon fan's post on the right

Who underachieves more this week… the G-men or Falcons?

by brisulph on Nov 17, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions

I'm hanging my head in shame right now

by Dave Choate on Nov 17, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions

matt

ryan has more options than vick ever had.

by TO. on Nov 17, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions

I like that the giants are staying positive....

but lets not forget what has happened the last 4 weeks. Yes, the NFL season is a long one, usually filled with ups and downs, but lets not get too high on the fact that other teams are losing….

we need to win. I don’t care what kinda personnel we have in here and i don’t care what we’ve accomplished in the past.

“the past is the (expletive) past!” © Strahan before the GB ’07 playoff game

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Nov 17, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions

Play the Giants game.

That’s all.

Run, Steve Smith.

I’d like to see some David Carr in garbage time again.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 17, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions

someone posted something in another post...

the giants don’t just have to win, but they have to make a statement. They have to show themselves (not us) that they’re capable of going out and dominating in all aspects of the game.

If we eek out a win vs. ATL and play bad well this is pretty much it…yeah, statistically they’ll be very much alive but for what? A late season let down? now is the time to start putting teams away…this is when the cream has to rise to the top. After the bye week guys aren’t going to get much healthier than they are now. It’s time to start kicking some butt.

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Nov 17, 2009 12:11 PM EST reply actions

couldn't disagree more

a 1 point win, a 24 point win, it’s all a win. Even if they get outplayed and win, I am happy. It buys 6 more days to get things up another notch and keeps the string alive. But, like FreeB, I’d also love to see a Carr/Gartrell redux in garbage time. I Don’t expect that, however.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 17, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like to see Jacobs rack up a hundred

And a touch. For his psyche, and my fantasy team. LOL

by wilddre22 on Nov 17, 2009 12:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

points as well as yards

He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.

by Johannus on Nov 17, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

A game we should win

Simply stated, GMen should no way lose this game if they think of themselves as a possible playoff team.

I see the return of the defense and a better more focused run attack. I

by MSP Giant on Nov 17, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Should win but big games ahead.

The games vs Atl, Dal, Phi & Min are the big ones because they are ahead of us in the standings at present. Beating them is like scoring double points — we win AND they lose. Beating Skins and Panthers scores Giants a win, but the opposition losing is not relevant. Atl game is going to be important. I have no idea what record will get Big Blue into the playoffs, the easiest thing is to win all the remaining games. 1 point or 50 points, I don’t really care … well, I do, but the margin is unlikely to matter in the end. So, let’s not take the BB path. I say win first, and worry about picking up the style points in the playoffs.

He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.

by Johannus on Nov 17, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Hi guys I'm back from my nightmare..

Our guys just received two huge early Christmas presents, while they were off..Hopefully, they will take advantage of the Dallas and Eagles losses..We went from “Rut-ro” to back in contention..Hopefully, they have ironed out alot over the past week..but I’ll take Eli over the sophmore Ryan anyday..My concern is our defense..I hope they have that figured out and use the talent we have up front better in order to protect our weak safety problems..I don’t care if it is a blowout or a 1 point win, as long as it is a win..I don’t mind chipping away with 1, 3 point wins all the way to the tournament..I noticed two things this past week..Romo and McNabb and their teams looked rather “Slumpy”..and they put us right back in the hunt..Now we have to take advantage..Our guys neve have been very good at coming out of a “Bye week” shute and play their best, but they really need to now..The time is now to break that trend..They have a “Golden Opportunity Egg” waiting to be hatched.

by Bobbiblue on Nov 17, 2009 9:25 PM EST reply actions