A chat with The Falcoholic

by Ed Valentine on Nov 19, 2009 7:28 AM EST in New York Giants News

The Atlanta Falcons come to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants Sunday in a make-or-break game for both 5-4 teams. This week I chatted with Dave Choate, lead blogger over at The Falcoholic, about his team.

Dave Choate: I guess the most obvious question is what exactly happened over the last four weeks to the Giants? Can you pin it on any one thing?

Big Blue View: How did I know that would be the first question? What happened to them? They are missing in action. If they turn up somewhere down South, please let me know. Actually, it has probably been a combination of factors. Through five games they only played one good team (Dallas). The last four weeks have all been against very good teams, and they have exposed the flaws in the Giants defense.

Also, it is entirely possible that this team is not as good as we thought it was going to be. The defense has not been dominant, although Sunday will be the healthiest they have been all season.

Dave Choate: That makes sense.

With the Falcons also struggling, how concerned are you about our ability to hang some points on that defense?

Big Blue View: I'd be concerned about Notre Dame being able to hang some points on that defense, to tell you the truth. This team was supposed to be built around a dominant defense and it just hasn't worked out that way.

Injuries (Kenny Phillips, Chris Canty, Aaron Ross, Michael Boley, Justin Tuck) have really hurt this team. They get Ross back for the first time all season on Sunday and will be as close to full strength as they have been all season. Maybe, just maybe, we start to see the defense the Giants thought they had.

So, summarize the Falcons season for me. They have an identical record to the Giants at 5-4. Are they as inconsistent as that record indicates?

Dave Choate: Inconsistency might be a light word for what's going here.

Some weeks, they have had excellent passing performances, other weeks the ground game has been superb, and other games every single phase of the offense and defense is terrible. The game against the Panthers last week was one of the worst I've seen in a long time, and we also lost Michael Turner. I'd say he's got less than a 25% chance of playing against you guys.

Big Blue View: The Giants are always proud of their running back depth. Explain to me how big of a loss Turner would be to the Falcons?

Dave Choate: The way he's been playing in recent weeks, it's a tremendous blow. Jason Snelling is a capable replacement in the short-term, but there's no depth behind him unless speedy back Jerious Norwood comes back from injury, and he's not 100% yet. Our only other option would appear to be Aaron Stecker, who really isn't much more than a special teamer at this point.

Big Blue View: I look at this Sunday as a HUGE game. To me, it determines whether or not the Giants are true playoff contenders, or if they are just pretenders playing out the string until next season. Do you feel the same way from an Atlanta perspective?

Dave Choate: If we lose this game, I'm calling it: We're basically out of the playoff hunt. It's absolutely critical that we try to put you away, considering that you're one of the top threats in the wild card hunt. I agree it's critical.

Will the Giants look to attack the Falcons through the air with their new-found plethora of receiving options, or will they stick to the run?

Big Blue View:: Well, every time I try to figure out what game plan offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride will employ, or that I think he should employ, I end up giving myself a headache. I support the guy, but around here folks love to rip him. Anyway, that's a long-winded way of saying I have no idea what Gilbride will actually decide to do.

Dave Choate: I think your best bet is to pass, honestly.

Big Blue View: Here, though, is what I hope he does. I hope he gives you guys a steady dose, as in 25 carries or so, of Brandon Jacobs. The big fella has hardly been utilized at all during the losing streak (51 carries in 4 games) and it's time for them to start riding him.

As for the pass, I just hope they stay with the short and intermediate stuff. One problem they had for a few games is falling in love with trying for the deep ball. Great when it works, but it leaves you wanting to throw the remote through the TV when it fails on 3rd and 2.

The Giants always strive for balance. I just think failing to use Jacobs enough is leaving your best weapon on the shelf.

Dave Choate: I'd tend to agree. But I think the Falcons have had a fundamental problem generating a pass rush in recent weeks, which leaves a medicore secondary out to dry.

Big Blue View: Actually, that sounds a lot like the Giants. With Kenny Phillips out for the year, and Ross not having played yet, the secondary has been exposed.

Dave Choate: Remarkable the extent to which our teams' struggles have mirrored each other, really.

Says something about the weight of expectations.

Big Blue View: Tell me a little about Matt Ryan. Seems like he has been more inconsistent this season than he was as a rookie?

Dave Choate: He actually had a great start to the year. And it's gone downhill rapidly in recentweeks.

I think he's looked shakier in the pocket, and at least part of that can be attributed to better pass rushes he's been facing. But something he's been doing with maddening regularity is sailing passes over receivers' heads, often with disastrous consequences. Ryan's still got a very bright future, but the coaching staff has to help him sort out his mental struggles.

Big Blue View: OK. Here is a question I always ask. If you could take one player off the Giants roster and put him in your lineup, who would it be? Why?

Dave Choate: Without a doubt, Osi Umenyiora. Dude's a beast and we need the pass rushing help he could provide desperately. There are a lot of worthy candidates on the Giants, but he's the first name that comes to mind.

How about you? Same questions, but with the Falcons?

Big Blue View: So, here comes the part of that question I hate. I'm not an expert on your roster, but I would say this. We could use help at linebacker, and if you have a playmaker you would like to give us we would take him.

Dave Choate: That would be Curtis Lofton. Extremely tough middle linebacker, league leader in tackles and a guy who you can count on to be involved in every play. Hits hard enough to jar the football loose, too.

Rapid fire questions, here.

Big Blue View: Giants, 27-24; I expect a huge game from Eli; Jacobs and 100 yards depends on whether he gets enough carries.

Here are a couple for you

Can the Falcons run without Turner? A prediction?

Dave Choate: I expect Jason Snelling to pick up at least 75 yards without Turner, and I'm predicting a 21-17 Falcons win, crazily enough.

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Comments

I know that was a good bye week and all...

but I hate the damn bye week.

I dunno why I miss the Giants-agita….but I miss it.

How’s the Falcon’s O-Line? Are they gonna set up picnic tables for Osi, Tuck and Kiwi for their Matty Ice feast?

And does Mike Smith like Earth, Wind & Fire? I’d like to make a special request for them too!

….THESE are the questions that need answering.

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 8:17 AM EST reply actions

News out of Buffalo ...

Let’s see, they signed T.O. at start of this year, and rumor has it KG is on their short list for HC for next year. Sounds like the Bills stole the Redskins/Dan Snyder playbook.

Got my fingers crossed for KG’s upward mobility …

by Shofner85 on Nov 19, 2009 8:20 AM EST reply actions

And is that seriously the Falcon Cheerleaders outfit ?

Looks like a pink potato sack. Not very revealing. Maybe their “alternate” uni’s are better.

by Shofner85 on Nov 19, 2009 8:23 AM EST up reply actions

Ah..

They are in the ‘Bible Belt’..I’m surprised they let them have ’Pom-poms"..

by Bobbiblue on Nov 19, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

actually I heard Mike Shanahan.......

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, he was the top of the short list ...

but KG was on it too, according to ESPN.

by Shofner85 on Nov 19, 2009 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

They've been linked to

Shanahan, Gilbride, Jim Haslet, & Marc Trestman.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2009/11/18/1163501/schefter-bills-trying-to-set-up

I’m surprised they are not going after a GM first. I guess Shanahan could actually be hired as GM … BUT MS wasn’t the greatest defensive personnel guy either.

by potroast on Nov 19, 2009 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

lol!

yea..go and read their comments on there.

Bills fans know ALLLLL about Gilbride. LOL!!!

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

on buffalo rumblings that is.

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

Haha!!

That is hilarious..The comments sound very familiar to ours on KG!!..We could cut and paste them on our site..it would save us alot of typing..

by Bobbiblue on Nov 19, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

What's this

I pray the bills offer KG their head coaching position, don’t get me excieted.

by Late for Dinner on Nov 19, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like

‘Ol “Laser Beam Eyes” Shanahan is their target for the job…Damn the luck!..besides, even if they were crazy enough to go after KG..it wouldn’t happen until after he finishes wrecking our season.

by Bobbiblue on Nov 19, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Shanny

is Dan Snyder’s #1 choice to replace Zorn. And you’ve gotta think when choosing between two terrible owners, you go with the one who’s gonna pay you a lot more money. And that’s obviously gonna be Snyder

"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09

by cjmulrain on Nov 19, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah CJ..

Snyder already tried but Shanahan turned it down, only because he didn’t want to be in a position where he would have to mop up Zorn’s mess after the train had already left the station..So Snyder will be after him..that’s why he finally endorsed Zorn for the rest of this season..He is waiting to pounce on getting Shanahan..and he certainly has the wallet to procure him…but Shanahan isn’t going to take any crap from a rich punk owner, nor will he from an old fart owner..so it will be interesting to see..Shanny has other apples ripe on the tree to choose from…there are going to be alot of vacancies for him to explore at seasons end.

by Bobbiblue on Nov 19, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I love the answer to the player

from their roster question. Hey Atlanta, remember when we took your linebacker? Yeah, we kinda need another one, so whatcha got over there?

Anyway, I know we all have calculators, but 51 carries over 4 games is less than 13 carries a game. Our feature back, who just got a big fat contract, on a team that built up how many wins as a running team last year, has been carrying the ball less than 13 times a game? That’s unacceptable.

by rzor on Nov 19, 2009 9:14 AM EST reply actions

ew

not your best cheerleader pic, ed

by GiantsReignSupreme on Nov 19, 2009 9:37 AM EST reply actions

Falcons cheerleaders have better outfits than that. That was the support breast cancer week. The whole NFL had random pink stuff.

I’m a Giants fan in Atlanta. I know this!

by JRSu1 on Nov 19, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Well

You can’t win ’em all.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 19, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Damn Ed,

there goes your undefeated season. I think that you still have a good shot at the playoffs!

by njgiant on Nov 19, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

wrong… she’s smokin’!

by lboogie25 on Nov 19, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

its more the outfit than anything...

she’s a spicy little thing…but the pink outfit hurts my retinas.

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

I'm with you boogie

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 20, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

I'm somewhat surprised..

That Dave would choose Osi..We all love him but he is one dimensional..He is a terrible run stopper..I would have thought he’d choose Tuck..I also find it curious that he didn’t ask for Boley back..Hmmmmmmmm
As for KG going to Buffalo, I think we should all chip in to pay for free shipping.

by Bobbiblue on Nov 19, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Osi

Obviously he is not having a very good year this year, but before you trade him for a roll of tape, lets not forget that a lot of the time it takes a full year before a player is back to normal after the knee injury he had.

by Late for Dinner on Nov 19, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

or, in the case of Tom Brady, 5 weeks

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 19, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Good Q&A

Ed, I thought Dave was a great Q&A interview, by far the best of the year he didn’t just mail it in or seem annoyed you were bothering them. Most of the time I just skim these entries but this time I was reading it till the end.

I don’t think the game will come down to a field goal the Giants will roll this week, they have too much to prove, and two weeks prep facing the Falcons, without arguably the leagues best back out; the Giant’s d-line will kill.

And yes I know traditionally the G-men do not light the world on fire coming out of the bye week.

by nyGTrenches on Nov 19, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions

hi ed

u can interview me next week if u want i know a lot about denver

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Nov 19, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions

thanks ed

and we are both yankees fans winning a wouild series numb the broncos loseing steak a littie expect loseing to wash sorry if i sound like a sore loser to wash fans i know upsets happed and they were the better team that day i hope mcd learns form that loss and we can beat kc and oak

by j-man on Nov 19, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions